Who is a professional?
In most occupations – banking, medicine, teaching, etc. – professional status requires specialized skills and proficiency. Basketball is no different – you have demonstrated expert abilities and you are paid for those skills.
However, having professional status is not the same as being a professional. A professional is someone who:
Demonstrates rare abilities and common sense, and then uses these gifts in their professional life.
Is considerate towards other people and demonstrates self-control.
Takes pride in the work that he or she does and is focused on the task at hand. A real professional is willing to go the extra mile to make sure that everything is done, and the responsibilities of the day are complete.
Knows that people deserve respect and that to gain respect, you need to show respect to others.
If you are a professional, you are going to get ahead in your career simply because you know how to treat people. In addition, being a professional can also benefit you in social settings. For instance, the more you demonstrate professionalism off-the-court, the more likely you are to be viewed as a potential leader, which can lead to tremendous opportunities during and following your basketball career.
What is professionalism?
Key values of professionalism include acting in the best interest of others and maintaining a certain standard and knowledge base expected of those in your specific profession. These certain standards include ethical elements such as integrity, honour, accountability, and responsibility, but also humanistic qualities such as caring, compassion, humility, and kindness. In addition, professionals need to have a social responsibility and sensitivity to other people’s culture and beliefs.
On-the-court, professionalism includes:
Good sportsmanship
Teamwork
Respect for officials, coaches, and competitors
Showing up to games and practices on time
Honouring exercise and nutrition plans
Learning more about the sport
Off-the-court, similar standards of professionalism apply, including:
Honouring commitments to colleagues, advisors, sponsors, etc.
Being honest with agents, sponsors, etc.
Being on time for professional appointments
Treating others – fans, sponsors, etc. – with respect
Serving as a role model for young people
Due to the unique nature of professional sports and the average length of a basketball career, it is crucial that you are constantly working to develop your professional skills outside the sport. The steps you take to improve in each professional skill will strengthen your level of professionalism and make more positive impressions on those having contact with you. Professionalism is a quality that you can carry with you wherever life takes you and will be the key to lifelong success and a professional career post-basketball.
Professional Attitude
Be positive
Attitude is everything! A positive attitude is the first step to professionalism. It begins at the simplest level – you cannot let your personal life interfere with your professional attitude. Even when having a bad day, you still need to maintain a positive attitude and not take your bad mood out on others or let it affect your work.
Take calculated risks Part of a good attitude is being open to taking calculated risks and try new things. Do not settle for mediocrity or being average – continue to strive for bigger and better things! When it comes to taking risks, start small, understand your limitations, and find out what risks have the highest rewards. This will provide you with more confidence to take risks in the future.
Display confidence Confidence is gained through experience, and most importantly, by learning from your experiences. However, no matter how confident you feel, there are a number of ways to demonstrate confidence which can make your interactions more fruitful:
Join in conversations with your colleagues and engage with others
Make eye contact with your peers when they’re speaking
Smile when someone addresses you or speaks to you directly
When you introduce yourself to someone you have never met, always use your first and last name
Take initiative
Professionals set goals for themselves and know what they want to achieve. Do not wait for others to introduce you, introduce yourself to persons of interest. Allow yourself to be included in conversations and groups that could be important to your professional career.
Professional Behaviour
Punctuality
Barring an emergency, it is not appropriate to be late to a meeting, function, conference, or gathering. It is an implication to everyone present that you think your time is more valuable than theirs.
Body language
Always try to use positive body language and facial expressions. You can convey through a smile, active listening, and open posture that you are truly involved and that you are attentive to what others have to say. Body language can convey confidence and interest, two qualities that sponsors, media and other influential people in your career may consider attractive and marketable.
Mobile phone use
Unless it is an emergency, it is not appropriate to use your mobile phone while in the company of others. If a call must be answered, politely ask to be excused.
Conversing
Being able to discern the types of topics that are appropriate for conversation is also a key professional behaviour. When speaking in a formal setting – business or otherwise – you should avoid asking personal questions. Additionally, in conversation, you should avoid interrupting others and should think before you speak. A professional is never patronising or demeaning to others, regardless of past experiences or level of education.
Professional Presentation
Like it or not, people are often judged by their appearance. A professional is expected to dress in a respectable manner, and you will be judged by the way you are dressed. Clothes that are too revealing, casual or sloppy should not be worn at business meetings, public appearances or events where your status as a professional basketball player is front and centre.
In general, there are three categories for attire that can help you determine what outfit might be appropriate for which events and which types of audiences. When in doubt, dress one category above what you think may be appropriate – rarely are people judged for being “over-dressed.”
Professional dress The most conservative type of business clothing. It is what you would be expected to wear in the office, at a job interview, or a formal dinner/function.
For women, this means a business suit or dress and a jacket.
For men, this means a business suit or a blazer, dress pants, a tie and dark shoes and socks.
Business Casual A more relaxed version of “professional dress,” but this does not mean truly casual. This style is semi-conservative, usually calling for a shirt with a collar and/or a sweater, khakis or dress pants and nice shoes.
Women can wear moderate length dresses or skirts.
Men can wear a polo shirt or button-up shirt with a collar and/or sweater, khakis or dress pants and dress shoes. No tie is required.
Casual
What you would not wear to work or a social function. This is everyday wear, including jeans, t-shirts, flip flops, gym clothes, sneakers, etc. This attire is reserved for days off, after work or weekends, during which time you may not be out in public in any official capacity.
As an athlete, you will be travelling with your club or National Team. Remember to follow your team’s dress code at alltimes, especially when at public spaces where the media could be waiting. For example, most professional teams will use professional dress when traveling by plane. They will prefer a business casual when leaving the locker room after a game (you can also wear some casual items; however, avoid flip flops, shorts, ripped jeans, etc.). And, they will probably ask you to wear the team’s tracksuit when moving from the hotel to the training facility.
Always follow your team’s instructions and dress code. You don’t want to be the only player using shorts and flip flops while all your teammates are wearing business clothing. Check with your team manager if you are not sure. And remember, in case of doubt, always dress one category above!
Key Professional Do's and Don'ts
By keeping in mind these do’s and don’ts, you can enhance your level of professionalism.
Professional Do’s
Offering help to colleagues if they need it - making others’ jobs easier will go a long way in the workplace
Respecting others
Making yourself approachable
Communicating professionally at all times – through conversation, telephone, written report, memo, or email – never deviate from your professional approach
Establishing a high level of competence and understanding in your profession – perceptions of your level of professionalism depend on your ability to convey a deep understanding of your job – in other words, learn everything you possibly can and stay current about professional trends
Staying positive and enthusiastic – and smile!
Professional Dont’s
Communicating informally – especially in less formal forms of communication (email, text messages, etc.)
Emailing while angry
Engaging in office gossip about other colleagues
Trying to court favour with your boss or supervisors
Procrastinating
Being off-task during work hours
Everyone can develop professionalism, but not everyone does – and that is what separates successful professionals from everyone else. The real work comes from taking a professional attitude and turning it into practice. Professionalism takes effort, commitment, and application, but when you adopt and maintain professional standards, you feel better about your overall abilities, which can translate into greater professional opportunities.