Subroto Bagchi's "The Professional" - One terrific read.

"The Professional" is a collection of traits that define a professional in the author's view. What makes the book an interesting read, apart from the admirable traits identified, is that, every trait is recounted with a real life experience that the author has had. As you read through, you realise that most if not all of those identified strike a chord with you and hence make the book a compelling and engaging read.

Here are some of the traits I enjoyed reading of..

1. Being grounded: Always remain aware of where you have come from and where you're today. Being grounded is a key requirement for carrying success on your shoulders without being burdened by it. The self-aware people know their strengths and are clearly aware how much of success they've had is purely owing to their own abilities and what is purely circumstantial. Assuming all the success you've had is owing to your own inherent strengths is the beginning of the end.
2. Being Comfortable: The self-aware professional knows there always is bound to be some gaps in his knowledge and he may never be able to bridge this gap and most importantly remains comfortable with this fact. Don't try to add value where you can't, rather remain calm and emotionally secure, the team will get back to you when/where they need your counsel.
3. Not suffering false comparisons: It's common to fall into the trap of measuring our success in material terms or by comparing ourselves with where our classmates and former colleagues might be today. Everyone's life and journey is unique.
4. Having a reasonable view of the future: Building a view of the future and knowing where you're headed, requires acknowledgement of the ground reality, a statement of intent in the overall direction and sometimes a clear destination or purpose. The sense of destination gives people "something to look forward to" and keeps them going.
5. Looking beyond money: A professional who sees his work primarily as a means of earning money runs out of meaning very soon. After you've achieved basic comforts, the quest for material success actually erodes self worth. The greatest satisfaction, and the more enduring one for a professional, is the admiration of people with whom we do business. The ones who last the longest in the race are those who have given something back to their professions. These are professionals who are driven by a sense of legacy. There is no sustenance bigger that the power to build an intellectual and emotional inheritance.
6. Reining in Reactions: In extremely high-pressure situations, often the best emotion to express is control. A true professional has a calibrated thermostat that prompts the degree of reaction and control required in any given situation.
7. Welcoming Feedback: Most feedback feels uncomfortable, since its packaged as and / or perceived to be personal criticism. We all have the urge to seek feedback from people who are more likely to say nice, reassuring things about us than make critical observations. This in itself is an insecure act and indicates a lack of maturity, of self-confidence to remain open to ideas and thoughts. The ability to seek and act on feedback requires constant effort to master. Without developing this ability one cannot become a true professional.
8. Being Proactive: Being proactive can simply mean, you’re the first to extend your hand when you meet another person,  first to call the customer to look for feedback and so on. In the world of business and professional dealings, people do not like to be taken by surprise. Anything that might cause grief if discovered must be brought to light by you, voluntarily, and ahead of time and put in front of all stakeholders who could be affected by it. It is uncomfortable while you do it, but it builds lasting relationships.
9. Taking Charge: Faced with a potentially dangerous situation, people freeze. They’re afraid to push their way into a crowd because they feel powerless. Power is not something material that you can seize. It is always generated from within. Whether you’re powerful or powerless, you must feel these qualities before you can become them. Developing the power within, to have the confidence to take charge in the most difficult and potentially dangerous of situations, is the hallmark of a true professional.
10. Courtesy and Humility: It’s important to have humility and an appreciation for the potential in people below us – to recognize and nurture that special someone who right now is not quite there but may go further than you have. In Eastern culture, a certain respect for senior people comes rather naturally. A professional does not take this for granted.

And that just is the initial ten that struck a chord with me. There is much more to be learnt from this book of wisdom. Happy reading.