That's Different: The Professional

The Professional falls under my original classification of The Champion.

There is a group of questions that are asked by most career guidance people.  In general, the group is  based on our interests.  What is your hobby?  What do you enjoy doing when you aren't at work?  What do you dream about?  As someone who has for his entire life been trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up, I've asked myself these questions...three hundred and forty-four million times.  The answers are never clear.  The cook at a local Waffle House however, might have shed light on at least one thing that I love.

Rosemary and I were sitting at the counter when she said, "check out the cook with the long hair."  This forty-something year old dude had his hair in a neat, tight ponytail, halfway down his back.  My second impression of this Waffle House was now favorable.  (I noticed cleanliness first).  The grill was directly in front of us and for the next half hour or so, we had the pleasure of watching this fellow place the word art in short-order-grill cooking.  All motions were orchestrated with precision and care.  The organization of his cooking area and utensils reminded me of a hospital operating room.  Beyond aesthetics, the food was phenomenal.

Later, when thinking of the Waffle House cook, a floodgate of memories poured forth.  I started thinking about the folks who I've worked with in the past.  It seems my fondest memories of work all revolved around working with people who were at the top of their game.  Now this wasn't a sudden revelation.  I work with very technically oriented people.  I absolutely thrive being around the brightest and smartest.  But I also began to think about folks like Denton.  Denton was a truck driver and janitor.  He was (and still is) a consummate professional. 

So David, what is your description of a professional?

To begin with, there is no correlation to being paid for work or formal education that defines a professional to me.

A professional is a person who intends and strives to produce an exceptional outcome.  In methodical fashion he utilizes education, experience and resources to achieve his objective.  For his outcome to be exceptional, the professional must continually strive to build, improve and refine his education, experience and resources.

This doesn't mean that the short order cook needs a culinary degree.  It could be the addition of an improved cooking utensil, a new placement of his ingredients or a new grill cleaning technique.

Note to dave in the future: You remember and passionately followed the careers of Lew Alcindor, Walter Payton, Wayne Gretsky, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam and others who worked beyond hard to be the best.  You noticed and recognized folks like the Waffle House cook and others in everyday life who radiated professionalism.  Vince Lombardi, a founding member of your imaginary counsel said it best, "The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor."  Thanks Vince.