The Parthenon of Professionalism

Professionalism means adapting to new work settings to earn acceptance and become valued. It is not about first impressions. These matter, but people will update their views on you over time.

True, durable professionalism is about building a sustainable personal brand, which is what people say about you when you're not in the room. Ideally, yours should be as someone pleasant to interact with, who does good work.

Since you won’t get every interaction or task right, the goal is to be known as a Net Problem Reducer (NPR), which is someone who solves more problems (by volume × magnitude) than they create. The opposite is a Net Problem Creator (NPC). - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Proven ways to build your long-run reputation are: upholding the etiquette of the new setting by presenting and interacting in a way that belongs; meeting your commitments so often you are believable from your track record alone; and making a difference by solving increasingly significant problems.

These are underpinned by evergreen habits which will always in your control. These are: holding yourself to high standards, and paying attention to feedback in all its forms, whether it’s explicit, implied or observed.

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