🎙️ What does it mean to be a Professional? | Command 2 Corporate

🎖️ What does it actually mean to be a professional in today’s workplace? Is it about how you dress, how you communicate, or how you perform under pressure?

In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we break down the true definition of professionalism—from military roots to corporate expectations—and why many people get it wrong.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

🔹 Professionalism is behavior under pressure, not just appearance
🔹 Consistency matters more than moments
🔹 Emotional control is a leadership skill
🔹 Accountability defines your reputation

🎯 What We Explore:

🔹 Misconceptions about professionalism
🔹 Corporate vs military standards
🔹 Professionalism when no one is watching
🔹 How leaders signal professionalism to teams

🗣️  Like, subscribe, and comment below—what does professionalism mean to you?

🔖 #Leadership #professionalism  #careergrowth  #corporateleadership  #Command2Corporate #executivepresence

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Whether you're leading for the first time, leading through change, or learning to lead all over again, this space is for you. No fluff, no gimmicks, just real talk from those who've led through challenges, adapted under pressure, and thrived in the face of change. Welcome to Command to Corporate, where leadership isn't just taught, it's lived. Let's get to work.

SPEAKER_01 0:25

Alright, we're live in an action. Here we go. We're back. All right, how's everybody doing? It's been a minute. I am LP, he is T. We've caught up for a few minutes prior to this, but we we pretty much talked to each other. But uh, but for the group though, I mean, people, you know, people that may follow us on in particular YouTube and even on uh Apple Podcasts and on Spotify. It's been a minute since we've uh dropped uh some new material, so we are back at it. You know, we just going through life, our our day-to-day careers, and then we've also been working on a little side thing, trying to get that, you know, formulate, get that all structured and get that nice. So more to come on that, which you know, I think we're both excited about. So since the last time though, it's been uh been a couple months now because we actually concluded season two in December, and now here we're about to get in May. So yeah, yeah, it's been a gap. But you've been you've been alright, you've been you've done took some travel since then. You've been you've been around the world and back again.

SPEAKER_03 1:32

Oh, yes, sir.

SPEAKER_01 1:34

Uh I watched your video for some your your video for some reason disappearing. I don't know. What happened to you?

SPEAKER_03 1:45

Yeah, I don't see myself either. That's strange.

SPEAKER_01 1:48

I'm gonna remove you and then I'm gonna bring you back.

SPEAKER_03 1:50

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 2:00

Yeah, I don't know what happened. Did you did you uh close like uh something on your didn't touch anything, honestly. Alright. Let's see, I'm I'm gonna have to do some master editing.

SPEAKER_03 2:13

Alright, let me uh let me let me go and come back. Alright.

SPEAKER_01 2:18

See you in a minute. Alright, so why are we waiting on tea with uh a little bit of technical difficulty? He's traveled, he's been, I think he went down to Colombia. I think he went for a minute, went to visit a friend. I think he went to the Netherlands, maybe with some family and went out there for a minute. So yeah, he's done some traveling. I did a little bit. I went to my wife and I went to Puerto Rico actually, but we didn't go just go to San Juan, we flew into San Juan, of course, but we went to Fajardo, beach town, which was pretty nice. We actually went off to the the Spanish Virgin Islands, and then when we uh then we went all the way to the other side and went to uh Cabo Rojo, and I really love Cabo Rojo. I was just telling the audience while we're waiting for you to come back that you took some travels. I know you went to Colombia. Did you go to the Netherlands recently?

SPEAKER_03 3:12

Uh no, I went to New Zealand, New Zealand.

SPEAKER_01 3:15

I knew starting, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 3:18

Yeah, it was a good time. A couple of weeks just driving around with my brother, so it's pretty good, beautiful place.

SPEAKER_01 3:23

Yeah, oh yeah, I can I can imagine. Yeah, so at least got some traveling, got some vacations in, which is good on both our sides. I was telling him I went to Puerto Rico, and you know, it's pretty nice time, so definitely enjoy that. But even thinking, we've been thinking about for a while to maybe pick up a property there, and uh I really like Cabo Rojo. Um, so I was trying to sell my wife. I've never been, yeah. Never been to Puerto Rico?

SPEAKER_03 3:47

I've been to Puerto Rico, but that place you mentioned, Cabo.

SPEAKER_01 3:51

Cabo Rojo, yeah. It's about this is a two hour, about two hour drive from um San Juan, but nice, nice drive down. Once you hit the coast, you're going to all those coastal towns, going through ponds, and I think Isabella's, I think, a little not too far from there. I mean, it's just all nice, beautiful, just seeing the ocean, all that stuff is really nice.

SPEAKER_03 4:11

Checking out your retirement home.

SPEAKER_01 4:14

I wouldn't mind it. I wouldn't mind just have to ship, have just have to ship my motorcycle, and I'm good. Yeah, so all good. All right, we're we back at it. So, our topic of today, what does it mean to be a professional? What does it mean to be a professional? And as always, for those that maybe have not joined in, we dropped these topics and then we have some questions, and we're gonna just go through them. So we will kick it off. What defines professionalism beyond dress code?

SPEAKER_03 4:50

You know, maybe we should have gotten like uh a formal definition of it.

SPEAKER_01 4:55

Oh, you know what? Let's let's let's do it though.

SPEAKER_03 4:58

Hold on, all right while you while you do that, let me take a step, right? So I think what you mentioned there, at least it's half of it, right? Um, dress code meaning just looking professional, looking your part, right? Because that's the initial perception people have is you know, whatever you look like, kind of you know, they assume that's what your personality is like. So if you're sloppy, dirty, you know, you may be perceived as somebody that doesn't really care. Um, why would you care about anything else, right? But I think professionalism or prof you know, a profession generally has um a bit of a higher education. Um, I think another factor is uh continued education, uh so professional development in your field. And I think the third thing, and this is referencing way back from college days from Western. So I think it's a self-governing body as well, right? Okay, I think those are the things, right? So um higher education could be also, I don't know, I don't believe it necessarily has to be higher education, I think it could be experience as well. Um the hard part, though, you know, continued education is is could be easy. Um, but the hard part is is self-governing, right? So it's your ability to kind of take a step back and assess where you stand as an individual, right? So, did I do something wrong? Let's look into it. Why, why, why did I do this wrong? What information did I have? How can I improve it next time, right? Um, and then take an ownership of a mistake that you may say, okay, yes, my bad, my bad, yeah, made made this mistake, and uh being able to own it and improve on them. All right, that's my guess. What do you got?

SPEAKER_01 6:52

You you're damn near spinal one. So let's keep us on this by the book. So professionalism is the consistent demonstration of competence, specialized knowledge, and respectful ethical behavior in the workplace, and encompass reliability, positive attitude, appropriate appearance, and accountability, which are essential for career success and building trust with clients or colleagues. Key characteristics of professionalism: competence and knowledge, reliability and accountability, respect and integrity, professional appearance, emotional intelligence. You've covered it all.

SPEAKER_03 7:30

So yeah, yeah, rest point did me good for sure.

SPEAKER_01 7:42

You know, a dress code, I mean that that all depending on the industry, because you could be, you know, a lifeguard, and everyone's dress code is making sure you have the uniform on. So that's all depending, you know. So absolutely, yeah. So it all depends. You're in retail, but you're wearing the store's clothes or something like well, then you have that professional appearance. Some offices, I think even in our building, there's a floor. I mean, I see people get off in shorts and t-shirts, but they could wear it, so it's like, okay, you know, as long as you're not sloppy, everything's neat, tasteful, you know, appropriate language on it, then you maybe do it.

SPEAKER_03 8:23

You know, also it's it's uh it's good that you brought that up because it reminds me of uh interview I had. I was interviewing for uh an operational manager position back in the day, and I got it. But what really shocked me is that the people that were interviewing me were in like jeans and a t-shirt, right? That's the culture of that of that company. Uh so it's it's it like to me and you maybe it'd be like that's extremely unprofessional, you know, yeah uh to be interviewing in jeans and a t-shirt. But I you know, for that for that um company culture, that's that's it's okay and it's the norm. And so I guess yeah, so looking to part is also part of professional because if you are you know working in like a suit without a tie, you would definitely not fit in, and that may seem unprofessional because you are bucket assistant, I don't know, but it just won't won't won't go well, I guess.

SPEAKER_01 9:26

Yeah, and I guess it's the impression too, because I was just having this conversation with my son, like once he gets ready for his you know true professional debut, getting him some business attire, yes. He was like, Oh, I've been thinking about that, maybe some slacks and a t-shirt. And I'm like, I don't, it depends on the setting. Yeah, I personally would not go to work wearing a t-shirt unless it was a company t-shirt, you know, it's like maybe on a Friday dressed out on my whatever's considered your Friday. Or if it's a t-shirt, it's nice, but you have a blazer on over it. So you want to kind of put that together a little bit. But I told them at the end of the day, you want to dress for success, you know, and those first impressions, and sometimes just uh coupled with your the quality of your work and all of those things, your integrity, your accountability, then on top of that, you just kick it up a notch with your appearance. You kind of stand out, you know. Not that it's everything, but people take notice. And I remember early in my career working in this manufacturing place, I dress, I try to dress nice all the time. Not that I don't now, but and I remember a guy that was a lot older than me said, Hey, never change the way you dress. Don't don't go down because you see others go, just keep doing what you want to do. Yeah, it's like okay. But then at our company, you know, you might have members of the the C-suite that wear suits all the time, you know, and they and you might say, Well, that's because it's them, but it's not it's not just them. There's other people that are a little bit higher up that do it, but it's nothing stopping anyone from deciding to that's how you're gonna be. And it's true, because it's such a mix, you know, not that so many people are wearing t-shirts, but there's jeans, there's polos, it could be company t-shirts, and then someone comes around the corner and they're in a full suit, no ties, but full suit.

SPEAKER_03 11:20

Also, I mean, what's really unique, same company, but different offices in different cities, or like offices in different cities have a different culture of their own as well, based on the city that you're in, you know. So that's interesting. Like Chicago, I think it's a little bit more formal, you know, versus Austin is a little bit more laid back.

SPEAKER_01 11:40

Yeah, you got places in New York and California. Yeah, so definitely so. Can someone be high performing but not professional? Of course. Of course, you know, it's like that high performance comes at a cost, and it could be some of the worst people to work with because you know, maybe they are delivering, you know, the high performing, I would say, is high performing, you're you're delivering on results, but it could be on the back of someone else, you could be stepping over people, you could you could take ideas and run with it as if you're owned. So you're still delivering high, you know, you're delivering, you're hitting your marks, but at what cost? Are you making other people look bad? Are you taking your ideas? Are you not including team members when you should? And you know, you're you know, with those spotlight rangers, are you you're the one talking about beating constantly? Like, yes, can you shut up for a minute? Like, they ask me the question and they start talking. It's like, come on, take it easy.

SPEAKER_03 12:45

Yeah, and guess what? Like, everybody's rooting for them to fail. That's the difference, right? Yeah, that's the people like, yeah, I can't wait until this guy or gal just you know stumbles, you know. So now we can all have a laugh, and so people are rooting for your failure when you become that person. Yeah, you may be like a know-it-all or a spotlight ranger, like you said, yeah, and it doesn't go so well.

SPEAKER_01 13:08

And we actually covered that uh a little bit briefly with the video on Simon Cynic. We, if someone goes back and looks at one of previous episodes, we talked about how the uh seals, I think they would rather have that C level that's 100% reliable, that top performer that yeah may not be true, yeah. Because if you're not going to be a team player, you're willing to stab the boss in the back. It's like, hey, I don't know about them, they're not really doing a good job, and you're going to love them and all this, you're still high performing, but stay in your lane, you know, let your work shine for itself. Let you get to you will get a chance to be put out there. Sometimes you can ask, say, hey, do you mind if I leave this? But to constantly step over and like you just fight in your way constantly, it's like take it easy. Because then nobody wants you there, honestly. They're like, they can't wait for you to slip up and then they'd be like, gotcha. Bye. It's true. All right, how does pressure reveal professionalism? I mean, I I got thoughts. What you got, T?

SPEAKER_03 14:14

Uh, go ahead, brother. I mean, that that's when it falls apart.

SPEAKER_01 14:18

Yeah, it's it's uh shoot. I got a tattoo back here that says always cool above water because this one uh person said, Man, you're like a duck. You just on top of this water, you're just smooth. But I know those little legs are just moving. And I'm like, Yeah, but you can't let them sweat. I mean, and I think we we we are tested so in a in a basic way, people in the military are tested. Then when you start to get into people like SEALs and you know, special, they're tested even more to stay calm under pressure. They're gonna face the utmost pressure, we're gonna face it, but not to the level they're gonna face it. Um, even people, you know, you were a pilot, even stuff like that. Like that's not gonna be the same as every average day soldier that's going out there. We do have it, but it's at a different level. And the higher you go, the more you have to regulate that pressure and remain professional and keep an even, you know, even heel. And you have to not only do it for yourself or the people that you around you, like just your your people you're passing in for your team that you may work with or maybe over. But how does pressure reveal? People will fall apart, they'll get chaotic, they'll lose their head, they may start yelling.

SPEAKER_03 15:38

That's exactly. No, those are all perfect, like you perfectly said. Yep. I think pressure, you know, like you said, the outbursts, people get angry, get you know, get angry outbursts after a while. Um, you know, and maybe I'm guilty of this sometimes. Profanity sometimes comes out, like I'm under intense pressure. I try to be cool, but I can't doesn't always work out. Um and and yeah, those are those are kind of the way I see it, you know, and yelling at people. Uh, but like if you're professional, you're able to to manage that and still show that you're you're under a lot of pressure, but are still um not displaying unprofessionalism, like yelling at people or letting your work be sloppy or whatever, you know, you name it.

SPEAKER_01 16:32

And then even when we flip it and say, like, let's say you have a subordinate that's feeling the pressure, and they come at you like that, they're now the pressures on you directed towards you. Do you maintain professionalism? Can you de-escalate, or do you match their energy, which people like to say all the time, and then if they're going at me, I'm gonna go at them because it's not gonna end well. Yeah, you know, that's true. Feelings are hurt, you could both be terminated. Yeah, a lot of people might think, well, that's acceptable, but it's you're not a professional, especially if you're not a leader. It's like you gotta if you can't go back to the point of having that emotional intelligence and regulating and de-escalating, and let's take a breath, let's take a moment, you know, let's compose ourselves. We don't want to do anything that you know puts anyone as you know at risk of anything. Come on, let's let's take it back a notch, let's take a walk, something. But if you go right at it, then you're not ready. You know, that's a big part already.

SPEAKER_03 17:37

That's really tough about being a people manager. Um, because like usually if one of your team members is a lot of is under a lot of pressure, it's because I had to put that pressure on a person because I'm under pressure as well, right? So it could be the entire team is under pressure, and now everybody is just trying to be calm and cool, and sometimes just it takes one person to snap, and it could be like a possible domino effect, you know. Now I I'm stressed, so he yells at me or she yells at me, and like that was a straw, you know. Then I get mad, and it's tough, like you really, really have to be mindful of that, right? And I think that's that's that's part of always putting an outlet. You have to find an outlet for your team and yourself and say, okay, you know, we're working our asses off, let's take a break, go out to lunch together or something.

SPEAKER_01 18:29

Yeah, happy hour, you know. Like one team suddenly we went and did um electric shuffleboard, which I didn't think never have done shuffleboard. It's electric shuffle, electric shuffle. It's like a tabletop shuffleboard, and um small narrow lanes. Uh yeah, you squat it with your hand versus the little stick, but they have multiple games. It's kind of like doing, you know, almost like top go off has the different games that you could play, and similar to that, but with shuffleboard, very turned out to be more fun than I thought. Um, and but doing stuff like that. Let's get out, let's have some fun together, grill that camaraderie on the team, don't go back at it, and they just feel energized and they feel good about each other, too. Because you because then it's a team that actually wants to be around each other, so that makes for it makes it good. That's pretty cool. All right, next one, and I just recently had this discussion with a group that I mentor. Is professionalism taught or learned through experience? And the only question I would have through learn through experience how do you know that you're actually learning professionalism through your experience? Like, is it right? Is it wrong? Because in my mind, professionalism is for one, isn't taught. At least I don't know on the average person like how to be professional in a corporate work setting. What does that mean? What does that look like? We have a definition, but where are we actually taught how to be a professional?

SPEAKER_03 20:12

Uh that's a good question, right? I think it's learned. The learned aspect is seeing others that you respect and you think are professional. So you see somebody and you're like, man, my boss is always like, you know, doesn't so stress, doesn't show emotional outburst, you know, always cool, always thinking of us, like always, you know, trying to balance our workload. Um, and those are some of the things that you try to emulate. So those in that way, I think professional can be learned. Um, because sometimes you see good examples of that, and you say, Hey, I want to be like this person.

SPEAKER_01 20:49

Um, I think hold on, right there. When you said I want to be like this person, yeah. So I guess it depends on the person that's watching. Because let's say you have someone that's arrogant, oh yeah, yeah, bully, and all of this stuff, but you're like, you know what, I like that. That's the kind of professional I want to be. They leave now, you do the same thing because you think that that's what it's about. So, this is where I would challenge you can learn through experience, but how it's like almost like the person's individual character, what is professional look like? Like we have a clear definition, but if that is not the professional I want to be, or I'm picking up bad behaviors that I say I want to be that professional, that's when I'm I want to be that type of person in that fancy, you know, dressed up attire. So, this is where I think if we were sat, you know, spent some time to actually be taught by the definition, what does it mean? So, going back to say, I will be accountable, I will have an Integrity, where we talked about trust so many times. I will show emotional and intelligence. Competence is my watchword. I will learn in all of these things on how to be better, how to improve my skills, how to provide outstanding leadership. I'm actually going to embody this. I don't think there's a lot of gaps I see out there, brother.

SPEAKER_03 22:22

No, you're you're right. But also let's think about it as people managers, right? So your employees are going through an experience, right? And experience is nothing without reflection, right? So, like, this is where the manager kind of steps in and says, Okay, you know, I saw you, you're under a lot of pressure, and I've noticed that you really started snapping at people or whatever negative trait that came out because of the pressure they're under, right? But this is where a manager comes in and gives feedback, right? And say, Hey, this is how like I would deal with this, you know, whether give them some tactics, techniques, and how to deal with either the people or the workload, and and just kind of teach them, you know. Uh and so that's in that way it's taught, but in the other way, it's learned through that experience because the magic came in and said, you know, I've noticed you see that feeling, this could go away by doing this, or this, you know, whatever. You know, I think it's both in that sense. If you have a good manager, like you could learn by being taught by a good manager.

SPEAKER_01 23:31

Yeah, that's true. And I think you know, one thing we've always referenced both of us for those that don't know or tuning in, having read our description prior military. I think the military does really well at yeah getting people to be professional, hope you know, carry themselves a certain way. I think through every branch, like when you see a military person, you will know it. Like, and sometimes even outside the military, you can watch people walking their behavior and say, I bet they're prior military. It's just like giving that vibe. You're like, Yeah, they were it's just like and it doesn't matter the branch, it's like a prior service, you can spot them. It's like you got that look. So, how do leaders model? And you were just touching on this, how do leaders model specialism daily? You know, and I think it's just as you said, you know, they they have to set the example, you know, yes, with everything that we've uh talked about at this time. What behaviors immediately damage credibility? Oh, yeah, we already mentioned those back. Yeah, yeah. You know, I think, and it happens everywhere. My wife and I were talking to our son because he he would really the thing that scares him about going into a true professional uh setting is the the environment, the people. And I'm like, it's gonna be issues no matter where you go. I've experienced in every single place I've been, uh multiple levels, it doesn't matter, it's what you you have to make the best of it. But the behaviors that immediately damage credibility that I'm seeing now is the lack of accountability. You know, sometimes you have people that have made it to some sort of leadership role, and they have not taken the time to gain knowledge on how to be a leader. So they end up sometimes becoming a disservice to people. This is where the favoritisms come in, the un you know, the unconscious bias, and you know, you maybe not treating people fairly to an up to a certain extent, you know, not you know, gravitating to some, not talking to others, uh, all of those things, not having integrity, you can't trust them. How many of y'all have been in workplaces and Pete comment where you're just like, oh, I know I can't trust, you know, and not to say that they've done it, like you know I can't because they'll smile on your face, yeah, and then it's you know, they're talking crap behind closed doors, and um or and it could, and that's the the silent secretive stuff that you don't see. They don't take the time to maybe learn a job, they don't improve their own knowledge, maybe try to do things they don't like accountability, they they don't have accountability, you can't trust them. I don't know that I can really, you know, the you won't see so much of the emotional outbursts as you will see all of that other stuff, you know. You may not see emotional outbursts and things like that, but those other things they're there.

SPEAKER_03 26:39

How do you show stress when it does come on and it slips out?

SPEAKER_01 26:46

When when it comes on, it slips up.

SPEAKER_03 26:48

Stress, like what stress? I I look at you and like, yeah, same thing. Like, I see the you know, the cool cat above water just looking, you know. So I'm kind of curious like what happens when you get stressed?

SPEAKER_01 27:02

Uh well, I I I just feel the tension, you know, definitely physically, and I find myself where sometimes it's not easy to concentrate. Um so I may and I try to stay ahead of things, but I'll find myself that I might have to like step away. So in between meetings, or so when I'm home, I really need to sit somewhere in quiet and step away. Sometimes I have to put on music. I do like to work with music, so if I put it on, it kind of gets me re-energized. So if I feel that I'm coming down too much, let me put some tunes on. And I'm like, all right, I got some, you know, some 90s rap or whatever, and I'm I'm good now. And so I'll get something back going like that. So I think those things will kind of pull me in and get me refocused. So I may not show it, and I and apparently I do show it at times things, yeah. I mean, maybe where I'm not as excited to uh show up, but you'll see that maybe that that energy is not there, you know. So I'm like, hey guys, you know, where I might be maybe joking, it's down. It's like, well, we got y'all need anything, sure. No problem. I got you. All right, talk to you later. Where it might be a little bit more conversation and stuff like that. It's like, let's just get down to brass tacks, get it done, and we're we're out. So uh interesting. So you internalize it, yeah, a lot, a lot. Yeah, my wife probably is like, Oh, you don't you don't say anything. Um, and I I do come home way more now than I did in the past, and probably you know, Gen X the way it is back in the day, you know, it's just like you just go hold it in and keep moving because you got so many other things to deal with.

SPEAKER_03 28:56

It's like, yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 28:58

If you're you know got someone else, because you gotta manage everyone else coming in, yeah, even at home, and then it's like the last thing I want to do is then turn around and be like, okay, now my turn. I'm already tired. It's like, um, but I think I do that way more now, and sharing and saying, Let me tell you what happened, let me tell you what happened. Um, and you know, maybe yeah, approaches and ways to navigate and things like that. But I just wish that as people age, it would get better, as people move up in position, it would get better. It seems like it gets worse, and it's just like what's going on, like we're stressed, no, just professionalism and in general. Ah yeah, that because that that that to me is what really causes the most stress is the the lack of professionalism.

SPEAKER_03 29:55

Interesting. Okay, all right, cool. Thanks for sharing. How about you? Uh, when I get stressed, you would know about it. I try not to let it, you know, get the best of me, but yeah, like you, my face apparently tells you. Um, I may start using profanity, not at a person necessarily, but just I can't fucking believe it, you know, stuff like that. So yeah, that's that's my stress. Yeah, I think people would know when I'm stressed, although I try to deal with it as much as possible. Um, yeah, sometimes I just may have to like walk away for a little bit and then come back to it.

SPEAKER_01 30:40

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 30:42

Okay, this goes out for everybody else, it's not like you, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:46

I mean, you know, one thing I I heard this book, um, power of now by Eckert Tolli, I think his last name is, maybe not pronouncing right. It was talking about the power of now. One of the things he said in the book is um to not have expectations. And it sounds harsh, but to not expect people to do anything other than they did. So, for example, if someone this is, you know, someone was supposed to come through with something and they don't. Well, you didn't expect them to, not to say that they are not reliable, but you kind of drop all expectations. So that way, if something happens, you're good. If it doesn't, you're also okay with it. So I when I first after reading it and then first going back into the to the workforce after you know a brief stand of being out of work, I really went in with that mindset. So that way, when someone is, for the lack of better words, a snake in the grass, and you already know they are, it's like that's not surprising. You know, why would why would I expect them to do any better than that? Because that's what they've shown. They've shown their character, the type of person they are. So if they do something slick, it's just like, well, that's that's who they are. Interesting.

SPEAKER_03 31:56

Yeah, I don't know. Yeah, that's that's I don't know, man. That's I try not to live that that style either, because that's that's miserable too, right?

SPEAKER_01 32:05

Yeah, it I mean, you're just kind of impartial, you're just neutral, like you're not yeah, that way. If you're like let's say I'm asking for a promotion, and I'm I'm perfectly no, I'm capable, everything is there, but then you pass me up. I'm like, okay, like I didn't expect you to come through, you know. But if you would have, great. So then when it comes back around, you're like, hey, I'm promoting you, and you're like, okay, cool. They're like, is that it? It's like, yeah, that's it. Thanks. Because it could have gone either way, you know, I'm not gonna be jumping for joy. Okay, because then it's like last time when you didn't do it, what would you expect and be like, oh my gosh, oh man, you know, it's really blah blah blah blah blah.

SPEAKER_03 32:52

You know, but it's okay to have those feelings too, though.

SPEAKER_01 32:54

It's okay, but I you know, you know, yeah, yeah, it's just it's it's tough. If if anyone has read the book or wants to check it out, um, power of now, and it's really about focusing on in the moment, you're fine. So, right now, so how should professionals handle disagreement? Well, they should talk it out. Totally agree. That's the number one thing is but I think beyond talking it out, it's like you talk it out and stick to your commitments, you know. I think really stand by it, have that integrity, that integrity and accountability. Definitely have to have the emotional talent to even have the conversation, but just talk it out and see where where we, you know, maybe you just don't have a bet a good understanding of each other. We were talking about this prior to the call. Uh, maybe you don't have a good understanding of what's going on in each other's spaces, maybe throwing all the cards at the table. Here's what I'm playing with, and say, like, how now that you see what I'm working with, how does that change what you're thinking and what you're saying? Here's where I'll try to meet you, but at this point I can't. Maybe I can't, and you know, just let's just just work through it all. And at the end of the day, if it's like, look, we're at an impasse, we just got to keep doing what we're doing, then own that. Take it back to your teams, we're gonna just keep doing no more complaining. We're just gonna keep doing what I'm doing. I'm gonna take it back, and we just that's it, we just ride with it until systems change, process, whatever. That's all we can do.

SPEAKER_03 34:30

But you said that you have a discussion, but you stick to your commitments. Is that what you said?

SPEAKER_01 34:36

Yes, because at the end of the day, when you finally come to whatever the agreement is, you stick to it. Like this got it. Okay, you know, that's that goes back to that. I'm gonna own whatever we've committed to. There's no go away and be like, he's full of crap. Like, I'm owning it, stick to my commitment. We agreed to this, that's it.

SPEAKER_03 34:58

Gotcha. If initially I thought you're you're kind of going in with a preset commitment. Um, and that's obviously not good because it's you have to show some openness to disagreement or an understanding. Okay, got it.

SPEAKER_01 35:17

Yeah, is emotional expression unprofessional? Emotional expression unprofessional. What do you think, T he'll be in a call?

SPEAKER_03 35:30

Like so, so here's the thing, right? Like, I've had bosses who do not show emotion, and it's a little weird, it's strange because like I'm like, uh that's not normal. Yeah, you know, it's it's not normal, honestly, you know. So I I think you can't relate to people that way either, and when you can't relate them to them, sometimes you just don't trust them. Um now I'm not saying you should be unprofessional, but I think it's okay to show some. Um, I don't think you could take it overboard. I don't I don't have a definition of what overboard is, right? But like in my past, like I try to stay professional, calm, cool, collected, but every once in a while, like I will get really like angry, you know, and may come out with an emotional burst. And honestly, that has really played to my favor. Um it has, yeah, because it's like, wow, T never does this, you know, and he did it. Holy shit, you know, we fucked up, you know. Um, and or like he's really stressed, you know, this is his boss's riding him, or something to that effect. Yeah, so it's definitely played in my favor because they people when they know you and and and this is abnormal for you.

SPEAKER_01 37:03

Oh, yes, true.

SPEAKER_03 37:04

And it's like, oh, okay, yeah, this you know, there's more at play than than we see here, right? And this is why T's acting abnormal. Uh, so yeah, but if it's normal, no, I mean it's nobody cares about now, it just becomes part of your personality. But yeah, every once in a while, when you do show it, and then it shows kind of like, oh, this is not normal uh behavior. So he's like either super stressed, or we need to like rally around this effort and it just make it happen. Um, and I've been lucky, I've had that experience in the past where they're just like, look out for me, you know, and and they're like, Oh, let's look out for T, you know, let's make this for him.

SPEAKER_01 37:44

And that's a good thing because you you remind me of like if people are feeling that that stress or you know, it's not normal, and that time could come at the unopportune times where it's like maybe you're in the middle of a project, maybe you're just feeling overwhelmed, super stressed, you need some time to collect yourself. Is a leader going to be able to step in and say, you know what, I recognize hey, how about you take half a day? How about you take a day and and and realize that I would rather you take some time to collect yourself and then get back in the game than to not, and things could potentially fall apart, you could fall apart. So, and I I think that also takes some I don't know what it would be from a leader to recognize that and also know that it's okay to do that because sometimes you might have leaders where you're feeling like that, and you go to them and you're like, Hey, I need a minute, and they're like, What now? Like in the middle of this, like, what are you talking about? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So then you say, like, look, you throw the flag, mental health. I need I need a break. Okay, fine. But what are you talking about here? And you take the time, but then they almost hold that against you. So then when it comes around a review time or something, you're like, Hey, remember when we're up against the wall, and you just, you know, which they shouldn't, but it's almost like they may hold on to that. Then that's why I think that leader doesn't have professionalism, definitely not caring about the people because there's not going to be an opportune time that, or you know, the best possible scenario, where it's like, okay, now we're not busy. Go ahead and take the break. It could come at any point, and it's like we gotta think about our people and recognize when something's off and we could step in and do something about it. Of course, we have all these services and everything like that, but what if it's just let me give them a break?

SPEAKER_03 39:47

Yeah, I mean, but so I'm thinking about you right now, right? Like, you're normally comp cool collected and just like chill, yeah. Like, I don't know if I could tell you're stressed out, right? No, so if if you need help or something, and maybe in you, if you don't directly say something, I may just assume it's just like oh, Larry's got this, you know. Um, so that's the kind of downside now I think about it. Because like yeah, if I see you stressing, I'm like, hey, bro, is there something I can do to help you, you know? Um, but that emotionless sometimes doesn't work in your favor in that sense because they're like, Oh, Larry's got it. He's like, he's not saying anything about it, you know, and maybe that's also ooh, that's dangerous because people kind of like pile stuff on you, right? And they assume, oh, he's got it, he's not saying anything.

SPEAKER_01 40:40

Yeah, true. Oof, pretty, I'm pretty vocal though. So yeah, there's that part. Okay, fair. I'm on I'm on the cusp of saying like this is the most. I'm like, man, it's you don't know how. Boy, I'm telling you, I'll be holding holding it back. I'd be really wanting to turn into the incredible hawk and be like, I'm tearing all this shit up because it's just you know, I see some bees and little things online, and I just want to be like, that's exactly what we're talking about. You know, sometimes I miss the military, where's like you could just, you know, depending on the group you're with, you could just be like, you just say what you want to say, and be like respectfully, this is yeah, yeah, yeah. But that's true. I do miss that part, yeah. Yes, for sure. So, how does remote work impact professionalism?

SPEAKER_03 41:39

It hides the lack. Sorry, go ahead.

SPEAKER_01 41:41

Yeah, oh go ahead. You say you said go ahead. You said it hides the lack of professionalism. Yeah, I think is that from an appearance standpoint?

SPEAKER_03 41:50

No, I think it it's because you're not getting the full eight hours of this person, right? I could get on a meeting and turn on professionalism for an hour and then be done with it, right? So, I mean, let's look at it this way. People are it won't be the first time I did a job interview in the past with with just boxers on and like top. So you see, I mean, people could turn on professionalism and turn it off, right? Um, so it's good at that, people are good at hiding the lack of professionalism, I think.

SPEAKER_01 42:29

Okay, yeah, I agree with that. I mean, and especially when, of course, they didn't put on their their camera, so then they could just be a hot mess, and you know, it is what it is. Um, but you know, I think for those that want to turn it on, excuse me, I think they could probably heighten it a little bit because they are virtual, so that's like I'm gonna put it on a little maybe more than I normally do because I am not in people's presence. So you may come off a little bit stronger professionally because you are behind the camera, so that you're not physically there, but then when you're in person, you're like, Wow, is it the same person I've been talking to online this long time?

SPEAKER_03 43:11

So you're saying like it gives people some additional confidence, you think?

SPEAKER_01 43:16

Yes, yeah, because they're not physically in front of people, so they could just be going off and just being like, Wow, this person's a rock star, and then when they're in person, they're just a little bit more nervous because now all eyes are truly physically on them, they could see their body language, maybe see so it could go both ways.

SPEAKER_03 43:34

Oh, that's a really good point. Yeah, I never thought about that way. Yeah, huh? Okay, that's good.

SPEAKER_01 43:41

So then we will conclude with this. What's one non negotiable professional standard? What would you say? I already know what I mean.

SPEAKER_03 43:51

Oh, really?

SPEAKER_01 43:52

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 43:54

I think non negotiable is, you know. I think it's it goes back to like showing emotional control.

SPEAKER_01 44:05

Okay. So you're going emotional control.

SPEAKER_03 44:08

Yeah. What about you? Integrity. So now I feel bad for my ass.

SPEAKER_01 44:19

No, no, no, no. Yeah, I know you're right. Yeah. I mean that because that you know, that's been one of the things we've talked about so many times. And so I I think if we had more of that, I think where it would help a lot. Where you're treating others with dignity, you you show the respect, you're ethical, you don't, you know, backbiting, you're not doing all this slick stuff. It's like I'm right, I'm right up front. Um, but working together, always working together and and and respecting what others are doing, you know, giving people the benefit of the doubt. It's just like you know, I I find more that I'm hearing more and more about a lack of professionalism uh more than ever nowadays than I did in the past. Not that to say it didn't exist and the same stuff wasn't there, it just seems like it's just popping out from other places, just more and more. It's like I wish it wasn't like that, but yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 45:21

Wow, yeah. Why is that? Why is there more lack of professionalism these days?

SPEAKER_01 45:28

You know, I don't know. I don't know if it is stress, you know, if it's you know, because you are under pressure and you don't want to look as if things are not, you know, you're not doing your job or things like that, or your team is not failing. It's someone else, you know, or I see the favoritism, you know, which is which is out there, and and that's where people should be given consideration that they're not, and someone that's lacks the same level of experience, but maybe they look nice or they smile or they laugh or they joke, and it's like, oh, I just like them better. It's like doesn't matter, you know, and it's tough, and this goes back to people being taught because there are people out there that are not observant, they're not paying attention to what professionalism looks like. They just get put in a role, never even considered it, and then they get put in a role, and maybe for them it's like I do my job, I do it well, I dress nice, that's it. Now, guess now you're in charge of others. So, what now what does that mean? They don't know how to do it. So then, next thing you know, it's like when you're an individual person and you have a close friend, it's cool because you're your colleagues, you work together. But when you're a supervisor and now you befriend someone that's a subordinate, but they're a peer to some, that's not a good look. You know, unfortunately, you can't do that, you have to separate unless they're all going to be treated equally, then you don't do that. You know, somebody comes to your office, you're like, Hey, great, okay, I'm still evaluating you and letting them know it's about your work, not about the side conversation about our weekend, about concerts, none of that. And it's hard, you know, for people like I had an employee tell me they wouldn't want honestly. I said, I would never want to be in charge of people because I will have favorites, because I'm just that type of person. I'm not going to, if you piss me off, then that's it. You know, and I don't want to be in that situation, so it's best if I'm just not put there to begin with. Because I will, fair enough. You know, you you know you will be, so then we won't, and not that they're not capable, but they know they're gonna cross that line.

SPEAKER_03 47:47

Yeah, at least they know. So I just want to put out, and before we conclude, something that is um hopefully helpful for some people. So, like if you're out there listening and you're like, yeah, you know, I've been told I'm I'm professional or I snap at people or whatever, right? Um, I encourage you to kind of go and talk to somebody about it. Um, it may be a condition. So, like what I mean by that, it could be untreated or unaddressed uh depression or anxiety. And the reason I say that is because I was that person a while ago. And when that goes unchecked, like, yeah, I was I was a jerk at one time, and like I realized I was being a jerk, but like I couldn't control it, you know. And if you have that feeling, I encourage you to kind of talk to somebody and then and see, you know, if it's something that is that is medically possibly, you know, something wrong. I don't know, or maybe you just need to talk to somebody about it, but yeah, um I had to I had to go see somebody because yeah, I was like, I don't know why I have these outbursts and like you know uh short fuse, and there's some people, you know, and so yeah, I got it got that addressed, and then I was all pretty cool after that. Um, but yeah, so sometimes people don't know that, and it goes it goes untreated, and you just you're just a miserable person to be around, you know. But yeah, so as you get older, sometimes it's it's something that can be treated. Um so talk to somebody, you know.

SPEAKER_01 49:29

When you say a short few short fuse, when I was younger, I was had a very short fuse. Like I would get upset so easily, people would never gather that that's the way I used to be, and I just kind of just outgrew it and just but I was like I would flip very quick, really, yeah, really bad. And and it just changed over time, and I just I think the because it was like that when I first joined the military, but then once I got into I guess maybe have an opportunity to lead, and I really tried to embody that, that really helped shift my thinking to have to show up for others and and to to be a role model. It's like you can't can't do that, and maybe that's something uh as you're as part of what you're saying too, is like if you want to be the role model to others, that takes that internal reflection, that internal growth, you know, all these things, it's like what do you have to do to get there? What's gonna give what's gonna bring forth the best version, I guess, of you? So you said I I need to be better, I want that best version. Go to wherever it is, it could be a coach, a mentor, maybe it's therapy, whatever it is. Yep. It's like I want to make sure that, especially if I have people underneath my wing, that I am providing the best that I possibly can. Yeah. So all right. Well, that is it. Well, thanks for tuning in to Commander Corporate. If today's episode gave you value, do us a favor, share it with a colleague or teammate who's ready to step into leadership. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Connect with us on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for more leadership insights and resources. And until next time, lead with clarity, lead with purpose, and always remember mission first, people always. We'll catch you next time.