Its Not About the Suit

Last month I received an e-mail from the principal of Victoria Baptist Bible College sharing that I would be teaching a new class in April. Immediately after receiving that e-mail I began to prepare myself for this wonderful teaching opportunity. About a week after the first e-mail I received another one from him. I excitedly opened it wondering if it contained information about the student. Instead it reminded me that I needed to wear a suit when I teach.

I appreciate the fact that VBBC requires lecturers wear a suit when teaching. It shows that professionalism is a very important part of the colleges culture. But as I read that e-mail I was struck by the fact that true professionalism involves much more than just wearing nice clothes. It refers to a way of life that affects the way that people make decisions.

On Wednesday nights I work with the youth group at a local church. There are a lot of young adults at the church so they have a few activities for them each month. I go to as many of them as possible because it allows me to spend time with people my age. Spending time with those young adults has shown me what it really means to be professional.

Most of them are either in management positions or soon will be managers at their jobs. But this is not because they wear a suit or nice clothes to work every day (although it probably helps). It is because they are always trying to do things better than before. And this usually results in their work being better than that of their coworkers. This passion for doing everything with all of their might is the heart of professionalism.

Professionalism is about more than just wearing fancy clothes or making sure your shirt and tie match. While these are important true professionalism comes from an attitude. An attitude that constantly asks the question, “how can I do this better?” This question is not asked so that you can focus on what we are not doing well. It is asked so that you can continue to grow in your development. It is asked so that you will never be satisfied.

For a long time I have had a picture in my mind of what professionalism looks like. It is a person dressed in suit who remains silent and talks very little. He is very serious at all times and never tells jokes. A professional person does not take time to enjoy himself but most work constantly. I am grateful that my friends have shown me what professionalism truly looks like.

Professionalism is a person who gives all of their heart to everything they do. They are extremely organized and driven, but at the same time enjoy having fun. Above all other things the professional person is passionate about doing things better. They refuse to be satisfied with what they did in the past but are constantly looking forward to what they can do in the future.

My suits are pressed and hanging in my closet ready for April. And I look forward to wearing them as I teach. But I pray that people will not be impressed with the clothes I wear. Instead I want them to be impressed with my passion for doing things with excellence.