What qualifies to be a professional?

A dinner table discussion resulted from the quote “Give an amateur a digital camera and you have wiped out years of advantage of a seasoned professional”

The discussion started when “enthusiast” photographers are calling themselves professional because either:

• Their equipment is labelled “professional grade”

or

• High level of technical skill in photography. But not being paid for the work.

Another view – a professional is paid to do the work whereas hobbyist or enthusiasts who are not paid cannot be called professional even though their work might be better technically than the professional.

The Definition from the “free dictionary”

1. taking part in an activity, such as sport or music, as a means of livelihood

2. displaying a high level of competence or skill: a professional and polished performance

3. undertaken or performed by people who are paid: professional golf

The dictionary accepts that the professional can be paid or unpaid but has the necessary skills.

What are your views?

Appropriate behaviour sets for the Job

There is much talk in the business world that with passion, talent and perseverance, you will have success in your career. There is so much emphasis on the use of sophisticated methods in personal development that the basics are often overlooked.

I will use the example of Gordon Brown (Prime Minister of UK) as an example because his actions are reported in the public domain.

In my opinion, the person’s basic behaviours have to match the requirements of the job, if they do not, the person will not succeed it that position. The person’s behaviours might have been suitable for a junior position which justified him promotion to a higher position but, are just not suitable in the new and higher position.

Characteristics of the Gordon Brown

1. Passion and perseverance: He has the passion as he talks “politics politics politics” (Wikipedia) and has perseverance as he waited in the wings in the Cabinet for 10 years.

2. Intelligence – There is no doubt about that – he got a first class degree and a PhD at the University (Wikipedia)

3. Skills necessary for good Leadership?

• Detail and control – slow decision making – gets bogged down in the mass of paper work A leader needs a view of the big picture; be a statesman and not a politician

• Fear of Failure – Decisions by committee, alleged bullying tactics and said to have called off an election at the last minute. A leader needs to lead and take risks.

• Physical presence – lacks charisma and likeability Good Leaders have charisma and likeability. These points are very basic points of behaviours which indicate that he is more suitable for an academic or a researcher.

Some of these behaviours can be changed but only when the person deems it is necessary.

A Good Leader does not need to have high intelligence

and

A high level of education is not mandatory requirement to be a good leader.

Food for thought

Michael Oon

Gordon Brown Interview on BBC – Comment on a behavioural perspective (non-political)

Gordon Brown, UK Prime Minister gave an interview on the BBC on Sunday 31st May 2009.

These are some of my behavioural comments (non-political) on his performance.

1. His mannerisms appeared wooden.
2. Went asked why this was not done, he said, I wanted this proposal 2 years ago (but it had not been done).
3. He talked and talked and drifted from the original point. When asked
by the interviewer about the original point, he wanted to carry on
talking.
4. He kept on referring decisions to a committee as they had the full information.

Impressions:
He did not appear likeable. Every aspiring politician should appear likeable.
He did not want to accept responsibility by taking decisions.
He loves talking of what he is interested in.

Response:
This is the 1st time that I have seen a complete interview of the Prime Minister.
This is the leader of this country and I do not appear impressed with his leadership skills

Have I missed something about the interview or leadership?