Is It Possible To Be Too Professional?

The title of this blog could lead one to believe that it’s about sales or some sort of marketing gimmick. I’m here to tell you that it is not. The point of this particular writing is to convey the importance of being a transparent human. Often times we get so caught up in putting on a good front, that we neglect to be our authentic selves.

Sales is rarely about the product being sold. It’s more about the person that’s selling it to you. When we’re too “professional” it can come across as impersonal and not relatable. Life is that way sometimes. We can get so caught up in putting on our game face(walking the walk or talking the lingo) that we lose sight of who we really are.

If you’re trying to reach people on any kind of level, the first thing to remember is that they are people. People that, outside of work, have an entire plethora of things going on affecting their every thought and decision. When we take the time to reach them on a level that is understanding of that fact, the doors we open are limitless.

Communication is vital when we think about business, life or maybe even friendship in this area. Our routines can leave us a bit robotronic at times. We get so caught up in rules, political correctness, proper manners and behaving in a way that society deems is how it should be, that we lose sight of our uniqueness. What fun would life be without quirks or flaws or an occasional joke?

Don’t get me wrong, professionalism has its time and its place. When I go somewhere to buy things, I want the customer service representative to be on point and have a good handle on their job. I also want them to be pleasant and engaging. Some of the best salespeople and cashiers I’ve ever known, are ones that know you by name, genuinely talk and interact with you and create an environment that’s more about the experience you’re having, than the sale itself. They understand that long after the money in your bank account has disappeared, the memory of how you were treated is going to remain.

Treat people with courtesy. Take the time to care. Life doesn’t need any more robot people walking around, making sure they’re always saying and doing the “right” things. What this world needs is more people wearing their heart on their sleeve and listening to the concerns of others, rather than the selfish needs of themselves. You have the opportunity each and every day to create an environment that is memorable and inviting to others. Take advantage of it! Genuinely sow the positivity into the lives of others, so that it will reap a bountiful harvest, not only for you, but them as well.