Professionalism
Definition
Professionalism means showing ethical behavior, honesty, and competence at school and work. It includes maintaining good work ethics, clear communication, respect for others, and improving skills over time. A professional also shows responsibility and accountability while adapting to new situations. Professionalism is about applying knowledge well, keeping a positive attitude, and making choices that are fair and respectful. It ensures that people contribute in a meaningful way and always meet high standards of conduct.
Reflection on 1st Assignment
In Career Development Models for Professional Development and Competencies course, I studied Negotiation, the components of negotiation, the value of self-awareness, and how this makes negotiation an art. I linked my work to Professionalism Competency Indicator 1 – Maintains a good work ethics and rated my performance level as Intermediate.
This assignment showed me that good negotiation starts before the meeting. I learned to prepare by writing my goal, the facts I will use, and the trades I can accept. I also wrote what I cannot accept so I do not agree to something I will regret. Knowing my best alternative if the deal does not work (my backup plan) helped me feel calmer and more respectful in the talk.
A big part of this task was simple but hard: I had to know myself. I asked, do I talk too fast? Do I avoid silence? Do I give in too early, or do I push too much? I thought about real moments from my life and asked a friend for honest feedback. That helped me see small habits that make a big difference, like pausing, listening first, and repeating what the other person said to show I heard them. I also practiced using clear and simple words instead of long speeches.
The main difficulty was looking at my own mistakes. It does not feel good, but it helped me grow. I chose the Intermediate level because I can use the ideas and act with respect, yet I still need more real practice to balance being firm and being flexible. My advice to other students is to prepare on paper, keep talks friendly, and end with clear next steps. Say what both sides agreed to and when it will happen. Doing this builds trust and shows good work ethics.
This assignment taught me that negotiation is not about winning or losing; it is about understanding needs, being fair, and finding a result that works for both sides. When I connect self-awareness with simple tools and honest behavior, my results improve and my relationships stay strong.
Reflection on 2nd Assignment
In Approaches to Conflict for Professional Development and Competencies course, I wrote about a personal experience with conflict, and how acceptance and learning from conflict can help growth. I linked my work to Professionalism Competency Indicator 4 – Improves and increases professional competency over time and rated my performance level as Intermediate.
At first, I did not want to share a personal story. It felt too private. I solved this by writing only the parts that mattered: what happened, how I felt, what I did, and what I learned. I kept names and details out. This made me feel safe and still honest. I learned that conflict is not always bad. It can be a signal that something is unclear or unfair. When handled with respect, it can make a team stronger.
In my case, the problem started because expectations were not clear. I assumed one thing and the other person assumed another. We were both frustrated. To fix this, I chose a quiet time to talk. I explained my view in simple words and then repeated their view back to them to show I understood. I asked what a good outcome would look like for both of us. We wrote down two small steps and a time to check in. This took the pressure down and moved us forward.
The hardest part was managing emotions. I practiced taking a breath before I spoke and keeping my voice calm. I also used short sentences and asked open questions. This approach helped me listen more and react less. I rated myself Intermediate because I can handle many conflicts well, but I still need practice when time is short or feelings are strong.
This assignment fits the idea of improving professional competency over time because each conflict teaches something new: how to listen, how to set clear agreements, and how to follow up. My advice to other students is to view conflict as a chance to learn and build trust.