What is Professionalism?

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s (FVREB) mission statement is to “support and empower REALTORS® for professional success” and the vision (aspirational) statement is “REALTORS® are valued for their skill, professionalism and contribution to the community.”

The mission and vision statements emphasize that professionalism is an on-going high priority for the FVREB. Professionalism is a powerful concept and something that every REALTOR® should aspire to. What does it mean?

Professionalism has Two Components

Firstly, professionalism isn’t one specific factor, but rather, it is a combination of traits, skills, behaviour and good judgment expected from a person who is well-trained, and well-adjusted to their career. Secondly, professionalism involves adherence to a set of standards that is commonly practiced among colleagues in the same industry.

It is no coincidence that some of the stated values of the FVREB (professionalism, respect, accountability, integrity, service and excellence) are some of the following characteristics that, when combined, make up professionalism:

1. Respect. Be a role model for everyone. Have high regard for the beliefs, rights and needs of others. Listen when someone else is speaking, use eye contact to show interest, couch feedback in positive language and express empathy.
2. Competence. Get the job done – and done well. Match your abilities with the requirements of the job. Aim to produce results that exceed expectations. Professionals manage their own expectations, as well as the expectations of others. They ask for support when necessary.  
3. Knowledge. Keep knowledge and education up to date at every stage of your career. Strive for excellence and mastering your role, always be eager to learn more and put your knowledge into action.
4. Confidence.  Express certainty in your actions and decision making, and do not second-guess yourself on the basics. Have a sense that you can handle whatever comes up but also have a sense of when you require assistance. Confidence taken too far is arrogance, so having an accurate sense of your skill set and knowledge is a large part of being a professional. Confidence will boost your ability to influence and lead.
5. Accountability. Mistakes happen. Do not let mistakes shatter your self-esteem or cause you to blame others. Take ownership of your missteps, learn from them, and move on. Take responsibility for your commitments and actions.
6. Integrity.  Do the right thing, even if no one is watching. Professionals do not take shortcuts simply because they can “get away with it”. Give your best effort to every task and stay true to your word. A genuine person aligns their actions with their beliefs. Always be honest and truthful in dealings with one another.
7. Etiquette. Etiquette is a customary code of polite behaviour exhibited in society or among members of a particular professional group. It is important to be aware of what is appropriate in different situations. This relates to outward appearances, like dress codes, personal grooming and body language. It also relates to the way you speak and write (including emails and social media), the topics you choose to discuss, and how you behave with others.
8. Emotional Intelligence. This is the ability to express, but also regulate emotions. Control impulsive feelings and behaviours, manage emotions in a healthy way, express emotions constructively, identify emotional triggers and practice active listening.

The real estate industry has established standards to which real estate professionals are required to comply. For members of the FVREB, those standards are:

1. the Real Estate Services Act, and Rules;  
2. the FVREB Bylaws;
3. the CREA REALTOR® Code; and
4. the Rules of Cooperation.

Professionalism involves monitoring compliance with these standards and enforcement in circumstances when an individual does not comply. This also includes the ongoing obligation of members to report actual or alleged misconduct by a fellow member to the FVREB for appropriate action (FVREB Bylaws, Section 3.6).

The Importance of Professionalism

REALTORS® want to be proud of their profession. They especially want to be confident that their colleagues possess the traits that make up professionalism rather than having to defend and differentiate themselves from the unbecoming conduct of their peers, which inevitably brings negative attention to the profession.

Building and maintaining professionalism involves a commitment to the consistent application of high standards, both visibly and behind the scenes. This will create a higher level of productivity, success, and satisfaction for everyone involved in the real estate industry.

Conclusion – Professionalism Quotes

Professionalism can be summarized in the following quotes:

“Professional is not a label you give yourself – it’s a description you hope others will apply to you.’ – David Maister (author of Managing the Professional Firm and co-author of The Trusted Advisor)

“If you want to be a true professional, do something outside yourself.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg (former Justice of the United States Supreme Court)

“The professional has learned that success, like happiness, comes as a by-product of work. The professional concentrates on the work and allows rewards to come or not come, whatever they like.” – Steven Pressfield (author)

“Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein (theoretical physicist and renowned scientist)

“Professionalism is knowing how to do it, when to do it, and doing it.” – Frank Tyger (editorial cartoonist and author of puns and quotes found in publications like Readers Digest, Forbes and the Saturday Evening Post)

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” – Warren Buffet (American businessman, investor and philanthropist)

Source: Professional Standards