In my mind, a professional displays: 1. Discretion. 2. The quiet soft-spoken voice of reason (and incentive). 3. The weight of wisdom. 4. A higher sense of

In my mind, a professional displays: 1. Discretion. 2. The quiet soft-spoken voice of reason (and incentive). 3. The weight of wisdom. 4. A higher sense of purpose other than being liked. 5. A way of saying much with few words (the "genius of compression"). 6. The ability to discern between "the idea" and "the packaging". 7. A great fear of ever saying in private what they would never say in public. 8. An aversion to announcing things in advance. Rather than being "on time", a professional seeks to be "before time". Rather than trying to "get to the point", the professional "starts with the point". A professional is more concerned with examining and testing and adjusting motives, than learning methods. Above all, a professional gives value to "voice". The idea that playing a violin well will eventually result in greater resonance, that every note contributes to the tone of the instrument. The professional chooses to produce true notes as much as possible, knowing that false notes played in practice will eventually come to light in the character of the instrument. A professional understands why orchestra conductors insist on punctuality, the first and second and third order effects thereof. How "bottomless wonders spring from simple rules... repeated without end." - Benoit Mandelbrot. Ask a professional why they chose to take a particular course of action, and they will be able to tell you "why". Professionals are rational, and their rationality is proactively forthcoming. Professionals phrase things in the positive. Most of these characteristics seem to come down to "words" and "voice" and "reasons".