On Being a Professional

I bought a fabrication shop with a saw that couldn't cut straight. That was just the beginning.

When I bought a stone fabrication company in 2021, we scheduled a meeting with the seller and his team to disclose the transition.

The employees of the company we were acquiring were unaware of the transaction up to that point. We were, of course, hoping to retain the employees in the room. This meeting was important, to say the least. It would go a long way toward determining whether they would join our company or move on.

The meeting was going well. Toward the end, I asked each of the fabricators a simple question: “If you could snap your fingers and have anything at all to make your job easier, your work more enjoyable and productive, what might that be?”

One of them sheepishly looked at me. I could tell Ray had something to say.

“Well, um, I’d love a saw that cuts straight...”

To provide context, the saw he was referring to is a massive bridge saw. It cuts 10-foot slabs of stone. Every day. Hundreds of cuts. It was the most important, most valuable, and most expensive piece of equipment in the shop at the time.

“Huh?” I most eloquently inquired.

“Yeah, um, the bridge saw. It don’t cut straight. It cuts with a 1/8” bow in it. We have to go back and polish each cut down straight.”

My jaw dropped. The seller looked at Ray with murder in his eyes. A murmur spread throughout the room. The secret was out.

The acquisition ended up closing, but Ray’s revelation was a harbinger of discoveries to come:

• The shop had only one working light in 5,000 square feet. They’d simply fabricate with the roll-up doors open for lighting.

• There was a separate machine taking up significant floor space that had never functioned properly.

• There wasn’t a single SOP in place.

• The fabricators had been buying their own equipment and materials out of pocket because ownership refused to do so.

• There were promises of performance-based pay that were never paid out.

Needless to say, this place was a mess. Bottom line: there was a significant lack of professionalism.

And, in my opinion, one of the biggest things that separates a mediocre business from a great one is the level of professionalism.

You can “feel” a professional organization, am I right? The way they present themselves, the way they do the small things to delight, the way they speak, act, move, and approach their work. It’s hard to define, but you know it when you see it.

I think professionalism comes down to three key elements.

A Professional Has the Right Tools

This is one of the biggest ways business owners fall short of supporting their team: they’re too cheap to give people what they need.

We’ve all seen it.

Broken-down vehicles, threadbare uniforms, getting by with outdated technology. It’s sad to see.

Not only do these things signal to the customer that they’re working with a company that lacks resources, but they also demoralize the team.

To this day, I struggle to get my team to tell their manager or me when they need something. They’re still reluctant to ask because, for 9 years, they were told no. Or worse, they were told yes, only for it to never materialize.

A professional has access to the right tools, at the right time, in the right quantity. Period.

A Professional Arrives Prepared

Professionals arrive on time, ready to work, having properly prepared for the task at hand.

Arriving on time signals respect for the other party and value for their time. Showing up late does the opposite.

Being ready to work means showing up with a healthy sense of urgency. They’re not just “rolling in” or “easing into it.” They’re starting at 100% effort.

And proper preparation means that the day before, they actually read the meeting agenda, think through the task, buy the materials they need to execute, and take a minute to think through the challenges they might encounter along the way.

Ever see an airline pilot arrive for a flight looking like she just rolled out of bed? Stain on her uniform? Shirt untucked? Acting like she’s going to ease into the pre-flight checklist? No, you haven’t. Because she’s a professional.

A Professional Has a Peer Mindset

A professional approaches everyone with a peer mindset. Fellow team members, customers, managers, suppliers, everyone.

They are respectful, thoughtful, and helpful.

They also don’t belittle themselves or tolerate disrespect.

They hold themselves to a high standard, and they hold others to one as well.

They walk with their head high, treat people with kindness, respect, and empathy, and are a joy to be around.

That’s a true professional.

Wrap Up

These standards are a high bar, no doubt.

But imagine a world in which every business we interact with takes this approach. Wouldn’t that be something?

So here’s my question for you (and for me): what is one thing your organization needs to do this coming week to raise your professionalism? What is one way you can get better?

As always, I’m here if you want to talk through this topic or any other. scott@scottmonday.com

I’d love to hear from you, support you, and grow alongside you.

My sister and I launched a podcast for sub-$20M business owners and operators. Episode 9 is out!

We’d be honored if you’d give it a listen! You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or whatever platform you prefer!

Things I've Enjoyed Lately: I couldn’t figure out why my neck was hurting. I thought I was just getting old. Turns out that staring downward at a 45-degree angle for 8 hours a day might not be the best for you. I now have a Yicosun Ergonomic Laptop Stand and wireless keyboard at every workstation. Problem solved! I like this one because it is heavy-duty metal and rotates. No “my laptop is going to tip over and break” anxiety.