The Professional by Subroto Bagchi

‘In the new era, where every person’s actions have the potential to have a global impact, we must redefine what it means to be a true Professional.’

By common definition, a professional is someone who possesses the skills and knowledge necessary to do a job—whether it’s a top degree from a prestigious university or simply years of on-the-job training. For centuries, we have relied on this definition to help us determine who is capable and who is not, often assuming that the person with the most professional characteristics is the best one for the job.

But every day we see examples of so-called professionals who do more harm than good. However, all of these people had the qualities necessary to do their jobs well, but instead they chose to abuse and corrupt their professions for their own personal gain.

So how can we weed out the best from the worst when the accepted standards are no longer enough, and when even the most powerful and respected among us cannot be trusted to behave responsibly or ethically?

According to Subroto Bagchi, the first step is to redefine what it means to be a professional. Today, it takes more than just aptitude—it takes a commitment to doing what’s right, not only for your business, but for society as a whole. In a world where patients, clients, and customers can no longer completely trust the advice given to them, The Professional outlines the explicit and implicit code of conduct.

About the Author
Subroto Bagchi is Vice Chairman and Co-founder of MindTree Ltd., a global information technology and research and development consulting company. His work involves co-innovating with MindTree’s customers, tending the top 100 minds in the organization and serving its fifty communities of practice. He is also Chairman of MindTree’s Innovation Council and writes a column for Forbes India in which he interviews successful entrepreneurs.