24: As 'Wearing a Suit' As Possible

The –isms fly fast and furious this week: racism, sexism, classism, and . . . professionalism? One of these things is not like the others—except that it often is. Much of what we talk about when we talk about professionalism is superficial and confining: modes of dress and speech that limit the scope of who should be regarded as an insider, and who we should trust with our business. But if professionalism is not a tie tack, what is it? Is there any room for standards of punctuality, respect, follow-through, and ethics? Max thinks so, but as he and Caitie wrestle with this week’s topic, only one thing becomes clear: any given standard must exclude someone or something. Perhaps the real question is this: what problem are you trying to solve when you enforce professional standards?

The –isms fly fast and furiously this week: racism, sexism, classism, and . . . professionalism? 

One of these things is not like the others—except that it often is. Much of what we talk about when we talk about professionalism is superficial and confining: modes of dress and speech that limit the scope of who should be regarded as an insider, and who we should trust with our business. 

But if professionalism is not a tie tack, what is it? Is there any room for standards of punctuality, respect, follow-through, and ethics? Max thinks so, but as he and Caitie wrestle with this week’s topic, only one thing becomes clear: any given standard must exclude someone or something. Perhaps the real question is this: what problem are you trying to solve when you enforce professional standards?  

Links: 

Priority Episode No. 22: "Innovateur" | Podcast Episode

"Professionalism" Definition | Merriam-Webster

Civility in Higher Ed (First and Follow-up Tweets) | @KevinForch

"Helicopter Parenting" Tweet | @swarthmoreburke

Snidely Whiplash | Wikipedia

"Hiring Discrimination Against Tattoos and Piercings" by Amanda Haddaway | CareeRealism

"Startup Tech Company Denies Female Programmer a Job Because of Her Looks" by Carolyn Cox | The Mary Sue

Search for "third most germy part of the body" | Google

Hobbit (Jump to "Appearance") | Wikipedia

"Most-used Emoji Revealed: Americans Love Skulls, Brazilians Love Cats, the French Love Hearts" | SwiftKey

The Dalrymple Report Episode No. 8: "[fistbump] [poop]" | Podcast Episode

"Censoring What Tutors' Clothing 'Says': First Amendment Rights/Writes Within Tutorial Space" by Margret Weaver | The Writing Center Journal

Censorship | Wikipedia

T.G.I. Friday's | Wikipedia

Office Space | IMDB / Amazon

Uncontainable: How Passion, Commitment, and Conscious Capitalism Built a Business Where Everyone Thrives by Kip Tindell with Casey Shilling and Paul Keegan | Amazon

The Container Store | Retailer

Inclusive vs. Safe (First and Follow-up Tweets) | @seldo

"Review: Peripheral Visions for Writing Centers" by Jeremy Smyczek | Praxis: A Writing Center Journal

Panopticon | Wikipedia

Images of Interrogation Room Design | Bing Image Search

Bad Cop/Good Cop | Brickipedia

"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Theme Song" by Songify This! | YouTube

Pinterest | Wikipedia

Kaizen | Wikipedia

5 Whys | Wikipedia

"The Circle of Life" by Sir Elton John (from The Lion King) | YouTube

"How Different Cultures Understand Time" by Richard Lewis | Business Insider

Bossypants by Tina Fey | Amazon

Security Theater | Wikipedia

"Biz Cas Fri #1" by Homestarrunner.com | YouTube