I think most people have the general belief that they behave professionally in the workplace. After all, why would anyone consciously choose to behave poorly? Many people try to self-correct if they notice themselves doing something unprofessional. But people are often not aware of their own destructive behaviors. As they say, sunlight is the best disinfectant, so let’s shine a light on some of those traits and behaviors that are destructive and unprofessional in the workplace.
Anger/Abrasiveness
- We all deal with frustrations at work sometimes; it’s unavoidable. What is avoidable is letting those frustrations and anger get out of control. Exhibiting poor emotional control harms your professional reputation and lowers team morale by making you difficult to work with. When stressful situations arise, take a break and calm down before reacting. Always react with your brain, not your emotions.
- Anger on the road can be expressed as Road Rage and leads to incredibly dangerous situations that can result in major injury or death. There are unsafe, terrible drivers all over the road. One of the downsides of being a professional driver is being in the thick of it. Always resist the urge to retaliate or drive unsafely in turn.
Insubordination
- This includes disobedience of orders from superiors and a refusal to do assigned tasks for no legitimate reason. It also includes ignoring safety rules and hours of service and compliance regulation. Ignoring calls from managers and then pleading ignorance is not acceptable.
Unreliability/Poor Work Ethic
- This is perhaps one of the most obvious signs of a lack of professionalism. Showing up late shows poor time-management skills and a lack of respect for others’ time. Being on time and working hard is one of the most fundamental indications of professionalism.
- Avoid taking shortcuts. Taking shortcuts in trucking can be a major safety issue. Always do thorough pre and post trips and ensure your rig is not a danger to you or anyone else on the road. Get out and look at shippers and receivers. Plan your trip in advance. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Bad Attitude/Negativity/Disrespect/Rudeness
- Displaying these traits makes you seem combative and indicates to coworkers that you are not a team player. Never bully, mistreat, or threaten your coworkers or customers. Marvin Keller takes a hard red line with this behavior and it will not be tolerated.
Neglecting Personal Hygiene/Dressing Inappropriately
- Let’s face it: no one takes seriously the person who wears dirty, torn clothes or smells like they haven’t showered in a week. It’s exudes a lack of respect for those around you as well as customers, shippers, receivers, and your employer.
Refusing to Take Responsibility
- Professionals take responsibility for both successes and failures. When you don’t take responsibility you appear unwilling to learn and grow. Furthermore, attempting to transfer blame for mistakes to others diminishes your credibility. Everyone makes mistakes; professionals use them as a learning opportunity.
Dishonesty
- Being honest and transparent is what builds trust. Even lying about small things or exaggerating a situation can affect your reputation and your employer and coworkers will be distrustful of you. Honesty is the only policy in a professional organization.
Highlighting and enforcing professional behavior within an organization begins with clearly-articulated expectations. On our website is the MK Employee Handbook where our expectations and requirements are laid out. The link is included below. Feel free to reach out to your manager with any questions or concerns.