What Is Professionalism at Work? The Test When No One Watches
Professionalism at work is how you perform when nobody is watching. A story of Trivikrama Mahadeva and the Varkari saints shows what real professionals do differently.
Professionalism at work means doing the job with full commitment even when nobody is supervising. Ambition and willingness are not enough. With 65% of Indian firms investing in soft-skill training, the real question for a company is how to build this trait. Here is the story I use in my sessions, and the competencies that make a dependable professional.
TL;DR- Willingness and ambition alone do not make someone a professional.
- The real test is commitment in an unsupervised condition, when nobody is checking.
- Trivikrama Mahadeva of Bangalore has performed last rites for more than 1.5 lakh unclaimed dead bodies.
- Ownership, accountability and trustworthiness are the traits participants name for a star professional.
What does professionalism really mean?
In my session I say it plainly: "Having professional willingness असणं म्हणजे प्रोफेशनल नाहीये. Ambition असणं म्हणजे professionalism नाहीये." Willingness or ambition alone is not professionalism. The real measure is what you do when nobody is looking. A professional behaves the same with or without a supervisor, a camera or a manager reviewing the work.
The Trivikrama Mahadeva story
In Bangalore there is a man named Trivikrama Mahadeva who has performed the last rites of more than 1.5 lakh unclaimed dead bodies, and he has received a Presidential award. Does it pay well? Not really. As I mention in the session, the fee is a few hundred rupees per body. Yet he works in an unsupervised condition with full dedication. Nobody is checking him, and that is exactly the point.
What the Varkari saints teach about work and identity
If you look at the list of Varkari saints, many are named after their profession: Gora Kumbhar the potter, Sena Nhavi the barber, Savata Mali the gardener. Their work was part of their identity. Savata Mali never travelled to Pandharpur for darshan, as the tradition goes, because he stayed with his work. Our work shapes who we are, and that is a strong thought for any employee.
Why chasing the byproduct fails
Many people chase the outcome, such as recognition, promotion or reward. I describe it as a byproduct. The byproduct you receive depends on the alignment of your work, your ingredients and your daily habits. Focus on the work itself and the result follows. Focus only on the result and you will behave well only when someone is watching, which is not professionalism.
Which traits make a star professional?
When I asked a group who a star professional is, answers came back like trustworthy, ownership and accountability. I compare it to Shaktimaan, who appears when three elements come together. In every organisation there are specific competencies and traits. When they become part of your body and personality, you become the exact professional that teams depend on. Explore our behavioural training approach.
| Trait | What it looks like when nobody is watching |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Finishes the task as if the result is personally theirs |
| Accountability | Reports problems and own mistakes without being asked |
| Trustworthiness | Does what was promised, the same way every time |
| Consistency | Quality does not change with the audience |
How a company can build professionalism
Companies cannot inspect people all day. They can define the competencies they expect, tell stories that make those traits concrete, and recognise people who show them in unsupervised moments. A good session lets participants discuss their own unwatched moments honestly. See how this fits our signature programmes for leadership and behaviour change.
Bringing this session to your team
I deliver this session in Marathi, Hindi and English depending on the audience. If you want it for your team in Pune, Mumbai or elsewhere in Maharashtra, see my Marathi motivational speaker page, the leadership trainer in Pune page, or contact us for a quote.
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Avinash Chate TEDx Speaker · Founder, The Future Corporate · 11+ yrs experience Avinash has trained Indian Army, BRO, RBI, BARC, JSW Steel and 1000+ corporate leaders across India. His work focuses on leadership development, communication skills, and behavioural training rooted in Indian values and modern business needs. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is professionalism at work?
It means doing your work with commitment, ownership and honesty, especially when nobody is supervising you.
Is ambition the same as professionalism?
No. Ambition and willingness matter, but professionalism is shown through consistent, dependable behaviour in unsupervised moments.
Who is Trivikrama Mahadeva?
He is a man from Bangalore who has performed last rites for more than 1.5 lakh unclaimed dead bodies and received a Presidential award, as described in this session.
How can a company build professionalism?
Define the competencies you expect, use real stories, recognise people who show them unsupervised, and run behavioural sessions that let teams discuss them openly.
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By Avinash Chate — Maharashtra’s #1 Corporate Trainer & Motivational Speaker. .