Courtesy

There are many ways of being professional in any given situation.

How well prepared you are, how good you handle different situations, or how effective you are in obtaining good results, are some of them.

But one that is often unspoken of, but to me is one of the most important signs of professionalism, is courtesy.

Nobody taught me that with words.

But they did with actions.

When I was a child, courtesy was how my parents greeted their colleagues and treated their students.

When I studied abroad, courtesy was the way my piano teacher talked to all of us.

When I play with really great, top-notch musicians, seldom did I ever encounter situations in which they didn´t treat everybody with great courtesy.

On the contrary, when I´ve played with mediocre performers, they tend to treat others carelessly and often will do anything to take center stage. I guess it´s a vicious circle in which they feed off each other, discourtesy and mediocrity.

Treating others with courtesy is a sign of great professionalism.

Anything other than that is unprofessional.

Have a great day,

Claudio.

P.D. Imaginary Soundtrack, the CD, is for sale here.