Does it truly matter to be a WOW professional? I mean, isn’t it enough to be really, really good at what one does? Isn’t good enough... well, good enough? Actually it does matter; a LOT! The difference between that A and that A+, is that ‘+’ mark of very outstanding performance, dedication and ability. It may not be the end of the world by any means, but it sure does make a difference in defining a professional’s commitment to excellence. So what does it take to be a WOW professional? Here are five signs of a WOW professional according to the experienced managers at Bayt.com:
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.” - This quote by Michel Legrand encapsulates the process of learning as the unending cycle it is. The Bayt.com 'Career Advancement in the MENA' poll, July 2011, reveals that ‘willingness to learn’ is believed to be by 30.5% of polled professionals the singular most important factor necessary to succeed in one’s career.
‘Work hard, stay humble’ is how the age-old adage goes. A true professional lets his/her work speak for itself. A WOW professional accepts that they are human and fallible and are always willing to learn from weaknesses and work hard to overcome them. To step up to be a WOW professional curb that defensive impulse you get when faced with constructive criticism. Understand and accept that this will help you identify weakness and areas of improvement.
“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill defines persistence well in this quote. These professionals take failure in their stride; to them roadblocks are an opportunity for learning and creativity not a stumbling block. Success does not come easily – it takes hard work, a firm resolve, fearless determination, and patience. When aiming to be a WOW professional do not let your initial failures deter you, instead let your failures motivate you to try a different approach until you finally succeed.
“Respect is a two-way street, if you want to get it you’ve got to give it.” This R. G. Risch quote perfectly summarizes the give-and-take nature of respect. True professionals demonstrate respect at work by being fair, equal to all and getting along well with others. Showing respect at work does more than just creating an ambiance of civility, it shapes your organization’s corporate culture.
To WOW professionals, true success is beyond awards, accolades and rewards. These professionals are in it to make a genuine difference and to leave things substantially better than they found them. Here’s a quote that pretty much sums up what many WOW professionals feel: “Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love.”- David McCullough
