Professionalism

/prəˈfɛʃnəlɪzm/

Included on the academic word list in the OED, professionalism is a noun defined as “the high standard that you expect from a person who is well trained in a particular job.” 

Such an innocent and desirable quality, right? Let me tell you what I think about it.

Professionalism is exhausting!

It seems to be the idealization of actual human life. That pedestal on which humans or workers should always be ready, at par, prim and proper irrespective. 

Considering the nature of our nation, Nigeria, and the exhaustive disposition of Lagos, professionalism adds to the stress experienced by workers in Lagos.

Untenable. /ʌnˈtɛnəbl/

This is professionalism’s method of explaining real life.

 Professionalism asks you to leave your home at 6am, despite the brooding insecurity in Nigeria, just so you can circumvent the 6-hour traffic from home to work. 

I remember leaving Ojo for a job interview at Ajah and my prospective employer asked me to return the next day. Wow! I just spent my entire day in a static bus and I’ll repeat that tomorrow?

Professionalism forces my aunt to press the clothes she’ll wear to the office for a week, in one Saturday night. A time she could have spent on productive engagements and then press the clothes when she needs to. But of course, epileptic power supply is not in professionalism’s dictionary.

Where does professionalism draw the connection between the ideal and real life? Yes, discipline and excellence are prerequisites for the work condition, but what steps does it take to mitigate the burden of the average worker who spends 6 hours in traffic jam?

Monthly leaves? Maternal leaves? 

Share your thoughts in the comment section.

But, I maintain, professionalism is exhausting.

Zainab Aderounmu,

LASU chapter