Casser, Joanna-Ilna D.
POEC 40023
BAPE 3-2 August 12, 2023
TAKE HOME ACTIVITY
Anna has recently been hired to work with you in Office of the Mayor. You Anna from
school; she has been in a few classes with you. Although you think Anna has good skills,
she is difficult to work with because of the negative attitude towards everything –her
personal life, her relationship, her job, and her supervisor. In fact, Anna is rarely positive
about anyone.
• Discuss briefly what can you do to overcome your negative feelings?
• What can you do to make working with Anna more productive?
• What does professionalism mean to you?
The Significance of Professionalism in the Workplace
It's important to recognize that there are two forms of intelligentsia: intellectual
intelligence, which encompasses mathematical logic and reasoning abilities often
measured in schools, and emotional intelligence (EQ), which involves managing emotions
and understanding those of the people around us.
In the case of having Anna as an officemate, it's our collective responsibility to
foster a harmonious team environment, and EQ plays a pivotal role in achieving this.
Instead of isolating or dismissing her due to a negative attitude, let's strive to understand
her better and create a safe space for open communication, ensuring we approach this
in a respectful and supportive manner. EQ allows us to empathize with Anna, potentially
uncovering the emotional issues that might influence her behavior. Listening to her and
empathizing can go a long way.
In reality, we can't always expect everyone to align with our intentions or embrace
our goodwill. If Anna chooses not to open up or trust us and even harbors resentment, it's
crucial to respect her boundaries while still maintaining a positive working relationship.
Leveraging our emotional intelligence, we can approach our tasks by discussing our
respective roles, collaborating independently, and then coming together to review our
work. In any situation, let's prioritize constructive criticism and aim to engage in positive
discussions to improve our teamwork and overall work environment. EQ helps us
navigate this challenging terrain with empathy and understanding, ultimately fostering a
more cohesive and productive team.
Initially, my understanding of professionalism was limited to individuals whom I saw
as 'professionals,' particularly those who were working in office environments or held
esteemed occupations. Professionals are commonly recognized as those who engage in
the conduct associated with the principles and standards of professionalism.
Furthermore, in my perspective, the term "professional" is intricately linked to the level of
expertise an individual possesses in performing a specific task. An individual is deemed
to possess professional caliber when they demonstrate the ability to proficiently execute
a complex work, a feat that may provide challenges for others.
Upon engaging in the discourse that transpired over the duration of the course, I
arrived at the realization that my conceptualization of the concept of "professionalism"
diverges significantly from its formal definition. The concept of professionalism extends
beyond the specific occupation one holds, encompassing the manner in which individuals
carry out their duties within their respective roles. The alteration of just one line had a
significant impact on my whole image of professionalism, leading to a substantial
transformation. This finding provides support for the idea that professionalism is not
predominantly determined by the particularities of the job, but rather by the manner in
which an individual approaches the execution of their duties. An individual can be
considered a professional in their relevant sector, regardless of their occupation, as long
as they fulfill their responsibilities according to the specified requirements. The
association between competence, reliability, and knowledge is intrinsic to professionalism
due to their interconnected nature. As a result, individuals who possess these qualities
are capable of demonstrating professionalism in their professional endeavors.
