Challenging the Language of Professionalism
Certain ways of speaking indicate expertise and garner respect, while others are dismissed as unprofessional. But what does professionalism really mean in today’s world?
Speaking as a Gen Z professional that often navigates diverse spaces, I have spent a lot of time trying to ‘crack the code’ of professionalism. That perfectly unattainable balance of formality and authenticity. But I’ve found that professionalism at its core, especially in regards to language, is largely exclusionary and defined by culture. Take code-switching for example: a well documented pattern where Black Americans alter their speech patterns to more closely resemble that of white people in order to be taken seriously. This is not an isolated phenomenon. Having originated from white-supremacy culture, the arbitrary nature of professionalism, in its most evolved iteration, reflects deep cultural beliefs around what it means to be credible in today’s society. Even as the workforce becomes more diverse than ever, these structures remain intact and undeniably influential.
The hypocrisy that dismisses African American Vernacular English (AAVE) as unpolished and inappropriate, while regarding corporate jargon and vague, decorative messaging as high-level, leaves modern organizations exposed with glaring gaps in cultural literacy. What’s labeled unprofessional is often just unfamiliar, revealing more about our blind spots than about someone’s credibility—because how someone speaks often mirrors the standards of credibility in the spaces they know best. Similar to how medical jargon indicates expertise in healthcare, or the articulating of emotions by a therapist might indicate psychological expertise. I wonder if there is a world where professionals can perceive slang and accents that may be “different” as an indicator of deep understanding and belonging to a community outside of their bubble. And furthermore, identify the organizational and social value in that. Aside from instances of harassment and cruelty, I have found that clarity is rarely the issue when we are discerning what’s professional and what’s not, and the misalignment has more to do with cultural expectations than anything else. If a person’s ideas are insightful and well-supported, does it really matter if their phrasing is more ‘casual’ or infused with more personality than if a white, male, Boomer had said it?
Additionally, as Gen Z enters the workforce more rapidly, a collective craving for authenticity combats traditional expectations of formality, and in turn, perceived credibility. Younger workers tend to respect expertise that feels real, not rehearsed or performative. Gen Z, primed by the digital age with years of corporate messaging and entertainment blurring together, are more inclined to spot the ways in which performative behaviors can be harmful and ineffective. A professional “ick”, if you will. But what if we were able to see how that line of critical thinking could work for organizations and leadership, rather than against them? What if that aversion to traditional corporate language that may initially feel blasphemous, could be leveraged to make a team more adept at navigating the culture of today?
Studies have shown that female-presenting professionals feel certain pressures, as well. To soften their words, include disclaimers, and apologize more than their male counterparts do. Hopefully this is not new information for anyone, but it has begun to take on a new meaning for me as I think about the future. There is a precedent that’s been set for marginalized populations to conform, obviously, but to what end?
I understand how we got here, historically, sure. I’ve read feminist literature and I’ve seen Mad Men. But, I’d argue that the stereotypes attached to our idea of “professionalism” no longer serve the interests of capitalism the way they once did. We’re living in a vastly different world. The idea of a physical workplace in general having completely shifted post-pandemic, but the value of flexibility on a large scale can now be backed up with real data.
Admittedly, this is a bit half-baked, and I may not have defined lists of solutions for you to implement tomorrow, or stimulating podcast recommendations hosted by esteemed researchers on the topic. I say all this in an attempt to plant some seeds and challenge you, dear reader, to try and approach the language of professionalism with curiosity and open-mindedness as you move through the world; so much so that you might find yourself amending your understanding of what true indicators of credibility really are, and what they could become.