The Professional Mindset

Inspired by “The Power Of Professionalism” by Bill Wiersma

by Jennifer Fruin WCUI 2013

We as society don’t often seize the “dare to be great” moment. The moment that separates the “boys from the men”, the chance to challenge the norm, to go against the grain to prove there is more than one answer or path. We complain of this monotonous, uninventive routine where one person or group of people separate us into groups of white and blue collars. They decide who is a professional, and who is not. They decide who makes millions and who makes minimum wage. All the while, we are never stepping up and out of the box, not only to help ourselves, but others as well. At least that is what I used to think. Cecil Castle once said, “Professionalism is a frame of mind, not a paycheck.” This means that anyone could potentially be a professional. I never gave myself a chance at a self-label of “professional”. I figured some higher up in Regis (or even higher up than that) had already decided I was a guppy instead of a shark (or a whale, or some other big fish in the small pond I found myself swimming in). I was only doing the job I was hired to do; wash, cut, style, repeat. I was not a maintenance person, nor a janitor. I was neither a manager, nor a receptionist. I definitely was not a therapist, and I sure didn’t feel the fulfillment. I felt as though I was just clocking in and cutting hair and when the day was over, this complacent role dragged on. I let it seep into my personal life and I did not notice a problem until I read “The Power of Professionalism”. It made me realize that this “menial” job I attached to the word “stylist” meant more than just being a service provider. Cover to cover, the book spoke to me. Page after page, vital information was written on how to improve every aspect of life. I made myself a cheat sheet, to show me what I learned in each chapter, and how I would apply it to my own life. The rest of this paper is what I came up with.

Mindset 2: Professionals Realize (and Act Like) They’re Part of Something Bigger Than Themselves

Mindset Two really was great for me to see, and I figured this is where I needed to start my changes. This mindset explains that professionals “Commit to the success of the firm, organization, or client, realize that success transcends their own parochial interests and collaborate as an effective team member.” Although I could see the bigger picture, albeit sometimes different than the one actually painted, something was off. I was identifying areas where others were lacking, and I’d put my extra effort in. To me, it didn’t matter who did the work, as long as it was done. However, I was failing. I was so eager to pick up another task and make sure not only that it was done, but done right. I was being taken advantage of because other people around me knew I’d do the task they didn’t feel was important enough for them to do. In all reality, every task, every assignment, every decision is important. While I thought helping out was being an effective team member, the fact that others were not participating meant I was a team of one, unless I could get the others on board.

So there I was, back at square one, and I asked myself, “What can I do to get us all working together, and broadening the scope of our professionalism?” We were all there together for work, but we weren’t working together. At one point, another stylist actually posted a note that read: “I am not your mother, clean up your own damn mess.” Well wait a minute, what if that stylist was exceptionally busy and needed a hand to catch up? I took down the note.

The next shop meeting started out like any other, where no one vocalized their opinions. They were just anxiously staring at the clock waiting to be dismissed. I then took the opportunity to bring up the note and explained that while the mess was not the other stylist’s, I was sure that the mess maker would have appreciated the extra hand. I explained further that, “maybe the clients would be more appreciative of our team work as well.” Having kids at home, I understand after a long day, it’s exhausting to come home and clean up another mess, but as an adult and role model, I want to teach my children the right thing to do in that situation. The same applies to work. If one stylist would step up to help another stylist, or another customer, we would be part of something bigger. We would be enhancing someone else’s experience, by putting their needs and comfort above our own. Once the morale and support was lifted in the shop, other things started to change as well.

Mindset 4: Professionals Have Personal Standards That Often Transcend Organizational Ones

Mindset Four refers to the core values of the individual. A person who follows Mindset Four does what is right, over what is fast. They avoid the needless drama, leaving “high school” behavior behind, and they stay focused. This mindset was easy to read, but difficult to implement.

The hard part about being a stylist is typically the drama and gossip. Stylists tend to bash other stylist’s work and they share private information about their clients. They sometimes even spend the whole appointment talking about the woes of their own lives. I’ll admit I have been guilty of this in the past to some degree as well. The best solution I found to that problem is having a list of things to talk about and I repeat these “scripted” conversations to every client. I make notes on their client cards of what we discussed in the appointment, so when they return, we can pick up on a topic that they are comfortable with. In my personal life, I have simply eliminated the people who aren’t propelling me forward. The only way to become enlightened by this mindset is to diminish the back scatter, those who only bring bad news, and the general “ugly” of negativity. In turn, this brings the focus back to what is important.

Growing up, my mother (and grandmother) did a few things that were annoying at the time, but are appreciated now. She instilled some knowledge-based core values, like an extensive vocabulary and the desire for as much education as I am privy to. She also told me at the “end of the day”; my word is all I have. My honesty, integrity and commitment to improve my quality of life, are the things that will take me places. They will help me to earn the trust of my clients.

The next step was to uphold the letter of the law. I wanted to show that I was dependable to my clients, my staff, and my family. If that meant staying a few minutes late to help a coworker finish cleaning up the shop, or taking a few extra minutes to help with the kids’ homework, that’s what I did. Not only did that keep the morning chaos at work to a minimum, it also showed my kids that whatever they were doing was important to me.

Mindset 7: Professionals Aspire to Reveal Value in Others

The true professional has a bias for results, is part of something bigger, is always prepared, has core values, delivers on their commitments, and doesn’t seek immediate gratification. All of these things are encompassed by the most important mindset. This mindset aspires to lift others up, appreciate what other professionals contribute, and places trust with those who need it.

I have always been a person who needs control. I used to get anxious if I was watching someone complete a task I assigned. I wasn’t open enough to trust them to do the task the right way (my way). I was only concerned about my opinion and my needs. Some people in my circle have said I deserve to be selfish after the things I have been through. Being selfish however, is not only exhausting, it is not me. Some people might think because I like things done my way, I’m being selfish. In all reality, I have been tad “tight-leashed” when I find successful routes. I am becoming a person who puts people first, while showing them (not expecting) how I understand, retain, or complete things. This has made me a little more relaxed when I see people struggling “their way” because I feel comfortable enough to demonstrate other options. “Peter pays for Paul”, in that we only succeed as a team if we are truly all succeeding.

This mindset went in and diminished my secret stash of anxiety, distrust, and negativity. It gave me the comfort I so desperately sought out, and helped me to lend my trust to the other employees (trusting they would perform salon duties to the best of their abilities) and helped me to place trust in my family. While in my head, no one was a better professional than I, and no one was a more suited mother than I, I learned to trust those around me. I felt the weight of a thousand commitments fall off my shoulders.

Today my world is different. I’m listening to my clients like they require me to. I am spending quality time with my kids. I’ve released the anger I was holding on to when I moved to Phoenix. I have completely changed my idea of how things are supposed to be.

What makes me a professional? I’ll do the bottom work, I make sure my coworkers are set and I will make sure my clients are comfortable. If they need anything, I’ll take care of it (within normal limits, allowing others to shine as well). My demeanor has become more successful, thus I am more successful. My clients are happier, my family is happier I am happier. While following Mindset Seven to bring out the value of others, when it is combined with Mindsets Two and Four, a group succession is more than possible, it is guaranteed.

The Power of Professionalism to me, was more than a book teaching me how to act professional. This book showed me how to be a better me. It showed me how to succeed in any given area. It proved to me that I am not professional because of my clothes, or my job title. According to the book, I’m a professional because I’m caring and understanding, I’m a problem solver not a problem maker. I can ease my clients and will go the extra mile to make them happy and my kids as well. Bill Wiersma really broke the mold, when he wrote this book and I plan to continue to implement it in every aspect of life. Julius Irving said it best, “Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don’t feel like doing them.”