Arkansas Money & Politics – Essential Skills for Today’s Top Professionals

Professionalism in the workplace may look a little different since the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated trends toward more casual office environments and remote work.

There may be fewer employees in the office, and many suits and ties have been replaced by golf shirts, but regardless of the vibe or attire, workers are not expected to ditch their professionalism along with their button-downs or skirts.

Business leaders in Arkansas say what is truly important — and what helps advance careers — is sticking to the tried-and-true practices that have spanned generations. That includes things like respect, punctuality and reliability — in other words, the basics. Regardless of the dress code, professionals are expected to adhere to a certain workplace code if they want to move up the chain.

“The way we tend to think about professionalism has definitely changed as dress codes have gotten more relaxed,” said Stephanie Shine, co-founder and partner at Arkansas Talent Group in Little Rock. “Nowadays, it’s less about what you wear and more about how you show up every day, including being reliable, respectful and clear in how you communicate. It’s about being real and flexible while still treating people with integrity and kindness. The basics haven’t changed, but how we express them fits the way we work today.”

Read the full article here.