How does the concept of professionalism apply to the games development industry?
Within this blog, I will go into details on the importance and impact of professionalism, as well as reviewing how necessary it is within the industry, and whether or not it causes any tangible improvement to the productivity of a team.
What defines professionalism, and how important is it?
The exact definition and expectations of professionalism can often be blurry, and some feel rather lost trying to path themselves towards being a professional, in this section, I will attempt to hatch a clear definition and give some clarity to the idea.
The Merriam-Webster defines professionalism as the following:
“the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person;”
While this is all well and good, the definition from Merriam-Webster is still quite ambiguous and leaves a lot to the imagination on what exactly an individual should do in order to be perceived as professional.
Professionalism, particularly within the creative industries is a concept about how an individual conducts themselves and how they choose to perform within their given role on a team. An individual having consistency, being punctual, and communicating in an effective manner with their team are classic elements of a professional.
Having a team filled with individuals that possess qualities such as these will result in a breeding ground for consistent work, and great communication. As a result, there will be a tangible difference in the quality of work of a team filled with professionals, rather than individuals who do not adhere to these qualities.
Why does being professional matter within the creative industry?
While we might struggle to define professionalism exactly, most of us understand the importance of it within a creative workplace, and also acknowledge the role that it plays when conducting ourselves when we are apart of a larger team.
Working on large projects, over long periods of time, and having to synchronize with other teams is a process that requires dilligence and effort. Communication is the most important factor when working within large teams with multiple sectors. Lack of puntuality can result in frustration and resentment within the team, and having negative relations with team members like this can result in reduced quality of work, and conflicts between staff members, which is a worst case scenario when you must work together on a project over a long period of time.
Ensuring that you have a positive mindset towards your role in terms of your job, but also within your team position will push you further within the industry and will cause others to trust your ability. It is always easier to work with someone who is punctual with their communications and deadlines. We have all been in a position where we have fallen behind on a task, even through no fault of our own. In that situation, the only thing we can control is how we conduct ourselves and communicate these issues with others. That way, these setbacks do not come as surprises, and we are not seen as unreliable.
