‘This is the best event I have attended definitely for 2021, perhaps throughout my working life!’
That’s actual feedback we got on last week’s hastily convened Transatlantic conversation about professionalism, and wtf that means…led by Natalia-Nana Lester-Bush and (DeWayne) Michael Crawford. I also co-authored this entire article with Rachel Collinson—but WordPress won’t allow you to share authorship on a blog like this. (Which says a LOT about the tech industry…).
Thank YOU for showing up. Our goal with this chat was simply to have a chat. And we’re grateful so many people wanted to take part.
Suffice to say, you might want to sign up for emails so we can invite you to more events like this, and send other stuff to make you think. You can do so here. Or not. No presh. 👏🏻
If you’d like to take things further, we’ve got a list of 14 ways you can redefine professionalism to be more inclusive. Please forward them to a colleague today. Or if you want to be more passive-aggressive about it, you can always go to Café Press and get some of this stuff on a mug. Thank you. We’d love it if you did either of those things. It would make our day.
And now, a summary of things we learned:
1. Leadership sets the tone 📣
It shouldn’t be up to staff to claim this kind of freedom and agency for themselves. Or for middle managers to institute these changes. You should feel comfortable being reasonably honest when your boss’s boss’s boss’s boss asks you “how was your weekend?” And if not, then it’s on them to create an environment where you can be. But also, take a risk, maybe. Tell them something honest. It might lead to a meaningful connection that breaks down hierarchies. If they’re a jerk, you’ll know for next time.
2. Avoid the Victorian schoolhouse model of meetings 🎓
The one where someone stands at the front with the PowerPoint presentation—they are the knowledge holders. They hold the power. They set the tone. Those models were developed during colonialism. We want to encourage people to challenge the structure, get up, have a drink, stretch, ask questions. And meetings should be an inclusive length, not staged Iron Man contests.
3. Lockdown could be a starting point 😷
Yes, there have been challenges. But what have you found beneficial in your home space? As many of us return to a hybrid model of work, how do we bring more freedom and agency into the rest of our working lives? Perhaps there are things you started during lockdown that you can just carry on. Like bringing pets to meetings or enjoying your ‘favourite’ sounds.
4. Professional does not mean cold 🥶
If it’s possible to be too professional, and that means too cold and guarded, then we need to consider whether being emotionally closed off fits the definition we want for our organizations or ourselves. Hint: it does not.
5. Professionalism has nothing to do with your appearance or accessories or whether you want to use emojis 🥇
A person should feel comfortable showing up how they feel most comfortable, using a pink glittery notebook that says “feminist as fuck” if that’s the mood they’re in today. It’s bad if people have to think hard about how they’re going to make other people comfortable by appearing a certain way. And: everything is better with fucking gif images. Which LinkedIn won’t let you post in articles. Which is like. What.
Speaking of which…
6. Swearing isn’t unprofessional.
If you swear at home, why not swear at work? It won’t get you fired! Swearing can be a great leveler. As in, “let’s fucking decolonize professionalism.”
7. Be Black and gay as fuck and have brightly colored Zoom backgrounds that say “Pride” because you want everyone to know that you are super gay.
Or queer, or lesbian, or two-spirit, or transgender, or intersex, or whatever it is you are that colonialism is allergic to. Show up with your marginalised identity intact. Obviously many of us don’t get to choose, but don’t exhaust yourself trying. It should not be on you. Michael, for example, likes to be Black and gay as fuuuuck on all his conference calls.
8. Bring your whole self to work but be honest that you need a job.
See above. But also, not. Because jobs enable us to take care of our families, our kids and ourselves. And it’s not always about breaking down the door. Sometimes we just need to get paid. And if our boss is an idiot about these things, then that’s on them. If you’re a boss, be less of an idiot pls? It would be a massive help!
9. Break down the door
If you built the door, break it down. If you’re stuck behind the door, break it down. If you’re leaning on the door, break it down. If you BENEFIT from the door, break it down.
10. Intentionally set group norms for how we relate to one another and how we operate.
Because without being intentional, certain norms can establish themselves that exclude everyone from being the best contributor. See above points about doors. Bosses. Victorian schoolhouses. And so on.
11. Step up and step back. If you’re comfortable talking in front of a group, step back. If you’re shy, then step up. Let’s not have the same voices every time. And let’s all agree that we benefit from including everyone.
12. It is more professional to say, “no, I can’t do this because I’m focusing on this”, rather than just saying yes to a whole bunch of things. End of point.
13. Make less crappy, more specific word choices..
Don’t use the term “unprofessional” when you’re giving feedback, as a lazy term for any behaviour or work that doesn’t meet an invisible script that’s actually written by colonial white men. Rather than say “that’s unprofessional”, say what it actually IS.
Is it late? Is it too vague? Is it badly organized?
If it’s a matter of taste—for example, if Snoopy gifs or pink pride backgrounds aren’t to your taste, then it’s not a question of professionalism but just your taste. So if it isn’t actually impacting the quality of someone’s work, maybe you can keep your feedback to yourself?
14. Rest. FFS. HAVE A FUCKING REST. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. PLEASE.
That’s it. You rock. What if nobody is interested in your professional development? Well. WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT THE CULTURE OF THE PLACE WHERE YOU ARE WORKING? Maybe you should do the 2021 thing and quit.
Meanwhile please have a totally unprofessional day. Or life. Or career! We see you!
And we’ll see you next time.
Love from, ♥️
Rachel Collinson (https://www.donorwhisperer.co.uk/)
&
Matt Davis (https://www.mattdaviscomms.com/)
(the half-assed conveners of this conversation).
(because we care about you, you deserve to be happy, successful, and to thrive, and how many people have told you that, lately?)
(probably not enough, right?)
*(sigh)
