One of the problems with finding professionalism on the
Internet is that so few people have any idea what it is.
They are familiar with the word - but dont have a good
solid working definition to follow if they wish to project
that image.

First, and foremost, professionalism can be recognized in
the way business owners treat their customers and
colleagues. Believe it or not, customers and colleagues are
equally important to any business.

Professionalism isn't dictated by procedure so much as it's
dictated by attitude. Different business schools will
sometimes teach different procedures. The Pro understands
that the reasoning behind any procedure is to establish good
relationships with customers and colleagues.

A professional stays right on top of the customers needs -
and provides for those needs in as helpful a way as
possible. The true professional responds to complaints with
the utmost courtesy and respect - and without argument. The
Pro doesn't send snippy emails, deny the problem or attempt
to place blame.

Professionals follow up. They will try to be certain that
agreed upon situations are satisfactory. They will show you
the work you ordered - in its entirety. They will ask for -
and give - feed-back. They will also take negative feed-back
under consideration rather than assuming that it is an
insult and becoming defensive, or worse, downright
belligerent.

At most, the Pro will ask for feed-back on why a customer or
colleague is dissatisfied. That information, in turn, is
used for building a stronger business.

A professional isn't afraid to make mistakes. Nor, does a
professional hesitate to admit those mistakes and maintain
accountability. If something isn't right, professionalism
demands that it be corrected without placing blame on other
sources - and in a timely manner.

Business colleagues always recognize when they are dealing
with a true professional. Other business owners are treated
with dignity and respect.

I once sent an invitation to 175 marketing ezine publishers
to join a program at launch time. They were offered the
product for free in exchange for marketing it to their opt-
in lists. The letter was written in an extremely
professional manner. In no way could it have been mistaken
for SPAM and arbitrarily deleted.

Out of those 175 publishers, 50 responded for additional
information. Of the other 125, only three - count them,
THREE - responded with regrets. That leaves 122 who
completely ignored legitimate correspondence from another
online business owner.

Rarely is anyone successful without receiving some help
along the way. A true professional recognizes that - and
makes it a point to give back to others what (s)he has
received. The Pro always goes that extra mile as a
fundamental way of doing business. That extra mile is as
much for colleagues as for customers.

jl scott, ph.d., Author Copyright © 1999, All Rights
Reserved 

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dr. jl scott is the Founder of the International Council of
Online Professionals (iCop) - and also the publisher of the
Internet Marketing Trade Journal - the ezine that keeps you
up to date on Internet marketing coming of age.
To subscribe: http://www.i-Cop.org/trade-journal.htm
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One of the tools I use daily is a calendar.

I'm picky about what I put up and it's usually a scenic one.
For the last couple of years I've been using one that
combines motivational messages with scenes of animals.

Last month's topic was on leadership. The picture was of a
male lion and it's caption:

"The true leader inspires in others self-trust, guiding
their eyes to the spirit, the goal."

The combination of both the picture and the caption made
quite an impression on me. Here is a picture of a male lion
at rest looking over a grassy field with intent. His mane is
fully visible and softly blowing in the wind. In a way it
reminds me of a shepherd watching over his or her flock.

So it is, or should I say supposed to be, with anyone in a
leadership role. Sadly, we rarely see this in the real
world. What we usually experience is that people in
leadership positions are just pawns for someone or
something. Their true motivation is not what a true leader
is about or does. They are looking out for number one.

True leaders know their purpose; they have agendas and do
what every other so-called leader does, but differently.
They are hard to find and you will know when you've found
one. The true leader is not a guru nor does he or she lead
through dictatorship. They are not weak or feeble minded,
although they may appear like that at first impression.

A true leader leads by example. They know that to meet the
objective, they must rely on their instincts, skills, and
abilities. They know that they are instruments of service
just as a scalpel is to the surgeon, the hammer is to a
carpenter, and the pen is to a writer.

They treat others as equals and build a foundation on which
those they lead are encouraged to discover their abilities.
They maintain an interest in you. If you have difficulties,
they'll point you in the right direction. They prefer to
work out solutions rather than reprimanding you. They know
that ultimately they are responsible for not only achieving
the task at hand but also for how it was accomplished.

Many in leadership positions today started out as true
leaders; only few remain. They may have been put on a
pedestal, they may have fallen under the pressures, greed,
and/or arrogance could have set in. The reasons are too
numerous as to why this happens but it is most definitely
because of a internal conflict within their being.

Let's bring to the forefront that all of us are in a
leadership position in some form or another. It could be
that our friends look to us for advice, we're parents, we
supervise or manage employees where we work, we are a coach
for the local YMCA. It doesn't matter where we lead or who
we lead. What matters is HOW we lead and why.

If we, as leaders, are in touch with the values of true
leadership, can stand the test of time, lead by example, and
value the position and responsibility we have been given or
placed upon ourselves, then the ratio of true leaders will
rise.

Leadership is a privilege. Everyone at some point in time
will find themselves in that position. Wouldn't it be great
if we could look back in our later years and have someone
say, "I'm glad I knew you, you made a tremendous difference
in my life." What if those we lead, in turn, became true
leaders, and those behind them?

It only takes one true leader to make a difference in the
world. Look at some of them

Buddha
Jesus
Gandhi
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Abraham Lincoln
Winston Churchill
Albert Einstein
Alexander Graham Bell
Thomas Edison

And the list could go on and on. Each of these people played
a leadership role that had an impact upon the world. Some
knew they would and others, I'm sure, did not. But they all
had one quality that stood out. They were their own person
and did not bow down to the pressure of others, they were
true leaders, believed in themselves and those they served.

So, what are your agenda and your reasons. I myself purpose
to be a true leader, one that can inspire, one that can make
a difference in this world. I hope you'll join me.

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Charles (Chuck) T. Mattice owns Empowering Your Authentic
Self and is the publisher of the Empowering Your Authentic
Self Newsletter. Subscribe to his newsletter by sending an
email to: subscribe@authentic-empowerment.net
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