What does it take to advance a career? Prominent business leaders weigh in
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There may be fewer employees in the office, and many suits and ties have been replaced by golf shirts, but regardless of the vibe or attire, workers are not expected to ditch their professionalism along with their button-downs or skirts.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.”
Janell Schmidt, chief human resources officer at Lexicon in Little Rock, said professionalism is not about wearing a suit and tie to the office.
“For us, it’s about showing up prepared, taking accountability and respecting the people working alongside you,” she said. “When those standards are met, projects run more smoothly, people go home safe, and our clients know they can count on us. Professionalism is essential because our job sites are complex, high-stakes environments. We’re working with heavy steel, precision equipment and teams that depend on one another for safety as much as for productivity.
“At Lexicon, someone in a welding hood or a hard hat can be every bit as professional as someone in a blazer behind a desk,” she said. “The real measure is: Do you respect the work, do you respect your coworkers, and do you deliver on what you’ve promised with integrity and safety?”
Greg Fogle, chief operating officer at Conway-based Nabholz, said he stands firm by the old adage, “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” but noted, for example, that the dress code at a construction firm likely will differ from that of a corporate law firm.
What is most important, he said, is a meaningful attempt to be professional.
“For example, appearance, etiquette, credibility, trust and reliability are attributes that are differentiators and will certainly set you apart from the crowd,” he said.
However, he noted that the qualities that define professionalism vary widely from person to person.
“Like many things in society where there are divided views on almost everything, the definition of professionalism, appropriate workplace attire and behavior are all in the eye of the beholder,” he said.
Marshall Saviers, CEO and principal for Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners in Rogers, said his firm promotes a work culture based on a service mindset.
“If you are serving others, you will be professional, as well,” he said. “Professionalism is a mindset, in my opinion, although you certainly want to be respectful of others, which means don’t be sloppy in how you dress and act.”
Younger generations catch a lot of flak over perceived lack of professionalism. While some workers, the children of a pandemic shutdown and hybrid work schedules, certainly earned their reputation, Schmidt said the stigma is oftentimes not deserved.
“Younger generations can sometimes bring different expectations, but that doesn’t mean they lack professionalism,” she said. “In fact, we see a lot of passion and innovation from the young people entering our field. They may not fit the old mold of starched shirts and rigid hierarchies, but they’re deeply committed to learning, growing and doing meaningful work. Our role as leaders is to meet them where they are, set clear expectations, and help them understand that professionalism is less about appearances and more about the commitment they bring to the job.”
Fogle said he believes the pendulum will eventually swing back to fewer remote roles. For now, younger workers still represent a plurality of remote workers. People ages 25 to 39 made up 36.5 percent of the U.S. remote workforce in 2024, according to data from U.S. Career Institute.
“While there are certain roles that can be effective remotely, I believe that it’s more about ‘who’ can be effective remotely,” Fogle said. “Many people can work well remotely and be trusted to accomplish their work. However, there are others who want to be able to do the laundry while getting compensated to work. We’ve all heard the stories about people who work remotely and have several jobs at the same time. Clearly, their employers are being cheated, and that ruins it for the honest remote workers.”
Even so, Fogle added that many of the younger workers he deals with have not only embraced a sense of professionalism on the job but live it and demonstrate it more effectively than many of their more tenured colleagues.
“I have had the pleasure of working with very young people who have the energy, excitement and passion about their work that anyone would be impressed by,” he said. “As with many things in life, people are either those that make things happen or wonder what happened — age doesn’t determine this, in my experience.”
For Shine, it boils down to the simple, foundational things such as the Golden Rule.
“From my experience as a business owner and someone who recruits professionals, professionalism in the office is still really important, even though dress codes are more relaxed and schedules more flexible,” she said. “Showing up on time for interviews or work, being polite, sending thank-you notes, and treating your coworkers with respect are things that never go out of style. Those who bring this kind of mindset tend to do well — not just in their jobs but in life overall. It’s really about being reliable, friendly and respectful in everyday actions.”
AMP asked four leaders of Arkansas companies and organizations to share their five essential skills for a ‘top professional.’
Greg Fogle
Greg Fogle, chief operating officer, Nabholz
1. Grit: Having a passion and energy to accomplish the mission is so far superior to literally anything else that I could say that this trait alone will create success.
2. Reliability: They call it “work” for a reason, and those who can be trusted to accomplish their work timely will always be chosen over others who may not accomplish what they are relied upon to do. This is true even in the absence of experience or credentials. I would rather work with a reliable person than one with a wall full of degrees and questionable reliability.
3. Communication: Being able to work well with others often depends solely on how you communicate. Are you clear, timely and persuasive? Do you know when to be quiet and truly listen?
4. Emotional intelligence, or EQ: While the business world loves corporate speak and tag lines, EQ can be boiled down to knowing — and caring — how you and others feel and react. People with strong EQ can be great leaders and co-workers because they are simply good with people.
5. Flexibility: Nothing is ever constant or predictable in life or in business. Get used to disrupting your plans to manage through changes as they happen.
Marshall Saviers
Marshall Saviers, CEO and principal, Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners
1. Problem-solving
2. Grit
3. Emotional intelligence
4. Time management
5. Integrity
Janell Schmidt
Janell Schmidt, chief human resources officer, Lexicon
1. Commitment to quality: Details matter. Whether you’re welding or managing a project, precision and consistency define excellence in our industry.
2. Safety mindset: Nothing is more important than going home safe every day, and every professional must treat safety as nonnegotiable.
3. Accountability: Taking ownership of your work and your commitments builds trust across the team.
4. Communication and teamwork: Clear, respectful communication drives collaboration, making complex jobs possible.
5. Creative thinking: In today’s world, we need professionals who think outside the box, who can spot new solutions and improve processes. Innovation isn’t optional in steel — it’s what keeps us ahead.
Stephanie Shine
Stephanie Shine, co-founder and partner, Arkansas Talent Group
1. Integrity and communication: These are not only essential skills but also my personal values and focuses as a person and businesswoman.
2. Excellence: Top professionals must work hard and try to always do their best — This may sound cliche but, every day, showing up to be the best version of yourself to help others or perform your job.
3. Passion/drive: You really have to love or at least enjoy what you are doing to be a top professional. This shines through and can take you from good to great. Those who are lucky enough to have found their passion or drive understand this. It makes your job not a job anymore.
4. Communication: Specifically, transparency and directness in that communication. I’ve found that people want the truth and don’t want anything sugar coated. I communicate to others the way I would appreciate being communicated with.
5. Partnership: Partnership and collaboration are key. You have to be able to work well with others to achieve your goals or your customers’ goals. The best teams or companies you can always tell have a certain cadence and deep trust in each other, which is gained through that partnership.
READ ALSO: Owens Corning Opens Insulation-Manufacturing Plant in Russellville
