Feb. 8, 2010

 

Professional Conduct Dictates Your Future
By Ross Bjork

In the world of collegiate athletics our job is to interact with a cross section of people on a daily, almost minute-by-minute basis. From student-athletes, to professors, to coaches, to donors, to alumni and fans, all of us have to use our communication skills on a regular basis in order to get the job done. In addition, if you have aspirations to advance your career, your conduct in this realm will dictate your future. Here are a few best practice tips I try to live by:

First impressions: The old saying “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” is absolutely true. Meaning, you have to be on ‘your game’ at all times and be ready for the first moment of interaction with someone. Typically, you have 4-6 seconds to make your first impression last. Be ready.

Professional conduct: Integrity and honesty are essential to your success so always be mindful that your personal code of conduct will dictate your future, no matter what. Are you the social butterfly of the department always looking for a good time? It is okay to have fun socially but be mindful of your surroundings and who is watching. In the end, all we have is the character by which we live and our actions speak louder than words.

Look good and speak well: Everyday we are placed in a position to speak to a group of people or in one-on-one settings. You should always dress appropriately for the situation and speak with clarity. Give examples and tell stories to make your point about what is important. Know your audience in advance and relax for the big moment. Practice makes perfect so act like you have been there before and you will do great. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and seek out speaking engagements in your community. The public likes to hear about your athletics program and your student-athletes.

Presentation skills: When you do get that big moment to speak, make sure to follow a few simple techniques so you make a lasting impression. Stand up straight and look people in the eye. Always have a smile when you are speaking, it makes you and the audience feel at ease. Smiling can not be emphasized enough. Overall, be yourself and talk passionately about your program.

Running a Meeting: Nothing can prepare you for speaking in public and your next career move than running and organizing meetings. Effective meeting skills will absolutely advance your career in so many ways. If you don’t have a chance to run a meeting, ask your supervisor if you can lead the next staff meeting in order to gain experience. Or if you are a manager, rotate the staff meetings among your team so that each person can gain the experience. I have seen this in action and believe me, it works. Put yourself in decision making situations during the meetings so no one is wasting their time. Don’t just meet to meet.

Professional etiquette: Etiquette also applies to our daily routine of how we conduct ourselves. Be aware of your physical proximity to other people – know their personal space and stay out of it. Watch out for too many accessories like bracelets and flashy rings. Less is more. Always – this can not be emphasized enough – say please and thank you. You will be amazed at the results.

Your next professional move: If you are seeking out your next move, the easiest way to the top is to reach maximum production in your current job. No one will recruit you unless you are doing a great job at your current employer. When you decide to network among your professional contacts be cautious of nagging versus networking. If someone writes me a three page e-mail asking about professional advice, most likely it will sit there for a while before I respond. Keep all of your messages short and to the point, and ask for something specific like a few minutes to speak on the phone. Create a personal advisory group and maintain frequent contact in order to discuss career opportunities and your next move. We have chosen collegiate athletics for a reason so please keep our interactions professional in all aspects.