The Professional

by Subroto Bagchi

A manifesto on what it takes to be a true professional in the modern world.

By common definition, a professional is anyone who possesses the skills and knowledge necessary for a career-whether as a surgeon, a software engineer, or a plumber. But according to Subroto Bagchi, our increasingly global marketplace demands more. In a world where the foolish, selfish, and unethical decisions of a few have affected the lives of millions, The Professional urges readers to act responsibly and reexamine "business as usual".

By exploring a variety of professional dilemmas across many industries, Bagchi defines the qualities of true professionals and the attributes that separate them from the merely competent. These

*Suffer no false It's always tempting to take the path of least resistance, but true professionals can separate the genuine from the phony. *Know when to say True professionals are not afraid to say no to things that are not worth their time, their energy, or their creativity. *Take the long True professionals understand that every action, decision, and relationship, no matter how small, can have a lasting impact.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Self Help, Management, Leadership, India

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2009

About the author

Subroto Bagchi is best known for co-founding MindTree in 1999 where he started as the Chief Operating Officer. MindTree is among India’s most admired companies across industries. In 2008, Bagchi took on the role of Gardener at MindTree.

In this new role, Bagchi spends one-on-one time with the Top-100 leaders at MindTree on their ‘personal-professional’ issues to expand leadership capacity and build readiness for taking MindTree into the billion-dollar league. In addition, Bagchi works at the grassroots by making himself available to its 45 Communities of Practice that foster organizational learning, innovation and volunteerism within the organization.

Bagchi has written extensively in leading newspapers and magazines, and spoken at industry platforms and educational institutions the world over. His Businessworld column - Arbor Mentis - and Times of India column - Times of Mind - were widely read and discussed. Many of these are archived at www.mindtree.com/subrotobagchi.

His first book, The High Performance Entrepreneur was released in 2006 as a Penguin Portfolio publication to great critical acclaim. His second book, Go Kiss the World was released in 2008 as a Penguin Portfolio. Mark Tully hailed it as “a remarkable story of courage, integrity and enterprise”.

Reviews

[Gorab · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Good case studies. Many of the ethics explained are pretty common. Combining with contextual case studies helped make it more interesting.

[Kumar Jayant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Subroto Bagchi is such a delight with ‘Go Kiss the World’, you start with him and he grows on you, gradually but surely, much like the torque profile of a diesel engine- no lags, pure thrill! you even get in unison with him if you kind of had a similar ‘growing up years’ and a lot of readers myself included start to circumscribe him in ‘idolatry‘.

With ‘The Professional’ he looks like a man in hurry; out to quote record number of books he has authored despite not being a full time writer, ironically enough he even claims so in the length of the book!

Subroto Bagchi has though strived to give an inviolable structure to book and once you are done with the book you realise how fantastically have the chapters been placed except that some of them barely carry substance in them. It’s much like the New Year’s resolution which stays resolute just for a month and then wanes down or a Multi Storey where the Mason did a great job but the Architect left much asking.

The book starts with a disclaimer prescribing readers’ to be disciplined with the sequence of chapters if they want to draw maximum out of them and then takes them to an instant high with the story of Mahadeva – The Professional. One starts to get the feel of a refined Bagchi, the much more experienced and learned Bagchi who had is best saved for the last. So lucid is the start that you just place the Book in the top draw and say ‘Oh my God, this is not just another self-help book, it’s one of those pocket lexicons that young professionals need to refer to learn and mavens to refresh’.

The initial high though wanes and the ride becomes unexciting and banal as one goes along the book. There is pretty high probability that you end with a sigh and the feeling of ‘old wine in an old bottle’. I might not be the most educated or best exposed when it comes to leadership and fundamental of it especially when placed opposite Mr. Bagchi but there is one quality which has been sworn on by most modern thinkers and that is the quality of being unassuming , being humble and these perfectly resonate with me. Jim Collins in his paper Level 5 leadership defines a level 5 leader as one who builds an enduring greatness with his personal humility and professional will. The great Marvin Bower in Will to Lead classifies Unassuming Behaviour as one of the primary tenets of being a leader. With this book Mr. Bagchi has done a bare minimum to justify this. With a very high regularity he has tried to inject it among the readers that Mindtree is the most professional institution created across Globe ever and he the best professional. He has exalted and exemplified himself and Mindtree with such regularity that it starts to get onto your nerves. Most of the great examples on professionalism and honesty have been picked from Mindtree and the way it conducts business and with high handed statements like “the people of who report into me are the most talented ones” Mr. Bagchi does not really talk about the people reporting into him but him and just him.

A few chapters in the book like the one on Vision and another one on Affective Regard are so aloof, they seem extremely force fitted, bereft of any engaging narrative. When I was done with around 3 quarters of the book, I started to ponder if the book is really meant for any professional or just an IT professional? The examples are so IT services laced that for someone who has never seen that way of life will probably never be able appreciate the essence of the writing.

Even the stories are so ‘Bagchicentric’ that at one point you just start to wonder if the guy is too desperate and literally begs to be respected. To me NRN and Nandan Nilekani epitomise professionalism and wealth creation for most middle class (Rajat Gupta too featured in that list until recent past!), and I placed Bagchi just about being there but with this book I wonder if he can ever create a master pieces like Imagining India and Better India, better World.

So lost in his grandiose is Mr. Bagchi that while writing a complete chapter on Mavens, Connectors and Evangelists he has not spared a single syllable to acknowledge the legendary work of Malcolm Gladwell – the man who has so delightfully written on the Mavens, Connectors and Salesmen in the Tipping Point or is it just plain plagiarism, I would though never put in question the veracity in Mr. Bagchi’s writing so let us just call it adaptation without acknowledgement!

Going further, the book just labours to conclude and has no real meat. It proceeds like a well thought employee manual for Code and Conduct of Professional ethics for young professionals and in parts reminds me of the elaborate manual which Infosys handed out to each of the incoming GETs.

Unlike some die hard Bagchi fans, I will never recommend this book to be a mandatory reading among young professionals or about to be professionals, the best I can do it is put it under the list of suggested reading. To my mind, in order to develop world class professionals and leaders we need to offer a global outlook and this book is certainly does not offer it.


I often tell one of my best friends and mentor at work that my respect for him is intermittent but adoration is permanent and that holds just as well for Subroto Bagchi. I think I will just wait for the Best of Bagchi to come. To my mind he still has plenty to offer and he still has saved the best for the last!

[Ramakrishnan M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Subroto Bagchi. Written in a simple and effective style, this book is a quick guide on what aspects a "professional" needs to bear in mind. As usual, Subroto Bagchi draws inspiration and quotes not just from business but a lot from life. In fact, one of the first examples we read is about a person who handles unwanted corpses in Bangalore. Only Bagchi could connect professionalism with such a mundane, absolutely-not-sexy subject. Throughout the book we see examples from a variety of people - lawyers, doctors, cops, etc.

Some of it is quite basic (I frequently hear these messages in townhalls and meetings, if i am not talking about them myself). Having said that, such messages are valid, important and impactful. So it does make sense to read and re-iterate to oneself.

I continue to be a big fan of Bagchi's writing.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - for young as well as seasoned professionals!!!

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm absolutely impressed with the qualities this books asserts as those of a true professional, and each one is explained with poignant examples that leave no room for doubt about what is the right thing to do. The only point to consider is that so many of the examples are set in India that one gets the impression that the book was intended for a local audience, though its themes are universal.

[Deepak Ganga · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast read. Makes common sense professionalism simpler and easy to understand.

[Rachna Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author introduced 9 kinds of intelligence in humans i.e. Spatial, Spiritual, Kinesthetic, Musical, Literary, Interpersonal, Intra-personal, Naturalistic, and IQ. Which was interesting. It was an easy read, I finished the book in 4 days despite my demanding schedule. Subroto mentioned some of the stories such as that of Southwest Airlines, Starbucks which reminded me of lectures from my MBA days. Although nothing sounded new to me, I kept reading this book to find out how author chooses to express his thoughts, how he puts things into a perspective that sound wow to me. His words resonated with my thoughts and so I enjoyed this read. However, I would not want to read the other books from this author, this book helped me become decisive about that.

[Animesh Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The professional" is a dummy's guide for a new age employee to behave in the best manner in today's organization.

Unlike the theoritical HR books, Subroto Bagchi has shared practical experiences from his long professional career. The chapters are very small ,would keep you engaged with the concept .

It's a recommend book for those who will start their careers soon or those in the early years as it will set realistic expectations and also clearly define a code of conduct for being a true professional.

[Rahil Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new dimension.

[Pritam Nayak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writer basically trying to keep more focus on the today's competitive word and the most important attribute of a professional "integrity" .The small real life examples on different aspect of today's world is really make the book wonderful. The best part is the book is written on targeting all type of audiences who are entering to the business world.

[Sendhilkumar Alalasundaram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a professional goes beyond having an academic qualification, as a matter of fact, a professional need not even possess an academic degree!
Subroto Bagchi's idea of a professional is pretty comprehensive and one we could all try to live up to!
I'd especially recommend this book to people who are in the formative years of their professional journey!

[Rajesh Pabari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read book. For professionals and non professionals as well.

[Arun Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between the blurbs on the back of the book, the acknowledgment et al inside, and the inside flaps, it is the last paragraph on the front inside flap that does injustice to the book’s theme: being a professional need not give you ‘the cutting edge required for the twenty first century workplace’. The flap writer also errs in recommending the book as a ticket to ‘gain entry into the club of professionals’.
See the book and its professional appearance; pick it up – and its weight settles assuringly in your hand; flip through it – it has quality paper with lucid printing; scan its contents – nowhere do you find rooftop calls. When did you last come across a book that practised what it preached?
This is not a book about success. It is not about reaching the pinnacle called loneliness. It is not about lateral thinking. It is not about getting past others. It is not about getting-one-past others. It is not about manoeuvring in the tight corporate corridors. It is not about manipulating unmanageable people. It is not about competition or the ‘rat race’.
The book has four prologues, three epilogues, and seven chapters in between. Writers of today would like to claim that you can make your beginning anywhere in their book, meaning you are welcome anywhere, anytime. Not so Subroto Bagchi. The prologue, ‘How to Read This Book’ makes it clear that the chapters (‘Part’) are to be read sequentially or else you will not benefit from its reading.
Bagchi’s humility is disarming – “You may occasionally think I sound preachy”; “I saw it as inevitable to convey my thoughts........”; “I request that you contemplate............” (Italics mine). Why Mr. Bagchi, there are books which do nothing but preach, and they sell by the million!
Part-I has a morbid beginning – Burial of the Dead. After the narrative come the first two descriptions of the professional – Ability to work unsupervised, and ability to certify the completion of one’s work. Did I hear some adjectives like Competence and Conviction? After another gruesome story of death on the road and murder of justice by its keepers, comes the next description of professionalism. Integrity precedes professional competence. Without the former qualification, formal qualification can only be a danger to society. Bagchi tersely dismisses the airs of unprofessional doctors, software people, journalists, CEOs, policemen or take your pick from the line up of professionally qualified people.
There is a captivating anecdote about why this elusive virtue of Integrity is personal, that is, it takes one’s personal time to recognize, one’s personal daring to try, one’s personal acceptance to imbibe and one’s personal desire to cherish it, so that all our actions proceed from its locus. Bagchi rues the absence of a system in school or at work to inculcate, promote or celebrate this virtue. This results in the corruption of the Hippocratic oath to the yellowing of journalism. It also pushes responsible people into the nebulous chasm with ‘shades of grey’ where integrity becomes negotiable. Bagchi does not negotiate on this quality. If you have read the chapters in sequence, this is when you discover your fists are clenched!

In Part-II, the author goes into the constituents of professionalism. The first-named member is self-awareness. It is being aware of one’s roots. The self-aware professional does not don dazzling masks of accent, attire or attitude. There are other exhortations for being authentic and being comfortable. Bagchi borders on the exotic when he says that seeking help is expanding inner capacity, a roominess into which others can pour their capabilities. The professional also needs faith in his own work and achievements, and not harbour deficiencies arising out of false comparisons. What he should harbour is a sense of destination that will get him past the ‘helpless immediacy’ of his circumstances. The mark of a true professional, says Bagchi several anecdotes later, is his ability to show generosity, grace and courtesy to others at the height of his professional career, “Not when you are just an aspiring actor”.
In Part-III, we are introduced to time management, organizing chores, putting up, the power of association, good information retrieval technique, and ‘touch time’. The last bears some explanation. It is the actual time spent on the job, for example, the ‘face-time’ of the salesperson with the customer, and not the time spent on peripheral activities like travelling, waiting or small talk. Yet another interesting idea is ‘white space’, an undefined mental or even emotional buffer outside of the ‘touch time’ that serves as an oasis of recreation and rest. It needn’t be time – it can be your one off glance at something, a whiff, a memory. We have all been given lots of it, and yet we don’t use it proactively.
In Part-IV, we are taken through narratives highlighting personal vision, the importance of a value-centric view of work, and an interesting coinage, ‘commitment to commitment’. There are two good stories about people who told Bagchi that they wanted to take his time; and while he used his ‘white space’ to get ready for it, they forgot all about him and interaction! How this writer must have expected interactions with pertinent questions, keen listening and a pervasive sense of humanness in interviews, only to have missed it! When reading this book, don’t miss its CLASS – Caring, Learning, Achieving, Sharing and Social responsibility – in short, the value-set cherished in MindTree. But allow yourself to be touched when you read about transparency, in the ArcelorMittal story, or the lack of it, in the Satyam story. The writer also warns us that there may not be sense always in consensus. Read the Abilene story.
In Part-V, the author meanders in anthropology and modern biology before beginning the monologue on the accepted intelligences like the visual, the auditory and the kinaesthetic. He introduces spatial, naturalistic and spiritual intelligences which makes the book seem headed elsewhere. Also the essay on three levels of knowledge – the adaptive, the experimental and the existential. But syntax and semantics apart, the professional needs to know what goes on in the head of the customers. After multiple intelligences and three knowledge levels, how about five minds of the future! This section of the book was aptly called ‘Managing Complexity’. Indeed!
What are the New World Imperatives? Don’t imagine Bagchi is sliding into the familiar rut of ‘formulae for success’. Part-VI opens with sensitivities – of gender and culture among others which will enable you to work among, and with differences, instead of against them. Weighing heavily on Bagchi’s mind is the awareness of ‘governance’ that is, a happy amalgamation of external compliance and internal restraint. Just imagine the international furore that careless actions of a few employees could cause. In the New World Order, it would also be imperative to respect intellectual property. Let’s also keep the planet in mind, when we so much love the product and service, that we ignore its contribution to global garbage (also read carbon footprint). This aspect of sustainability, says the author, is the responsibility of both the seller and the buyer.
Which is bigger – the jewel or the crown? Welcome to Part-VII and its 12 paragraphs and ten commandments under the double titles ‘The Professional’s Professional’, and ‘A Yen for Professionalism’. This book review should not pre-empt the reader’s pleasure by commenting on it. But out of sheer habit, let me repeat the tenets of professionalism mentioned – National Pride, Precedence of the Group over the Individual, and Spiritual Identity.
The epilogue ‘The Unprofessional’ is just like the contorting mirrors – while you are you, how would you look if you were fatter, thinner, bent and so on. These are ten commandments against the failings which would make us look unprofessional. Some of the expectations used to be called ‘etiquette’.
The epilogue on Mahadeva is also the epitaph to professionalism. Sorry, no revealing the end here!
The book serves its professed theme, and is a must-read. The unassuming tone lets you run along with him, while the absence of clichés is a relief. It is not difficult to read the book in sequence, like the reader has been told to. If you must point out deficiencies, you may suggest that some of the essays could be relocated under other ‘Parts’. The preachiness doesn’t put one off, both because it is mild, and the fact that it comes from experience.
Surely, this book is a ticket – not only to the world of elevated and active conscience, but to the books of Subroto Bagchi that we haven’t read earlier.

[Kiran Palatasingh · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most insightful reads I’ve come across. This book reaffirmed many theories and practices I've encountered, adopted, or heard over the years.

In 2019, I had the privilege of working closely with Subroto Bagchi, and I must say, he truly lives by his principles. A consummate professional, he holds himself and those around him to high standards. I was fortunate to work on two coffee table books under his guidance. For the first, I was a novice and felt I had much to learn to meet his expectations; by the second, I had gained both experience and finesse. His personality is both inspiring and challenging in the best possible way.

Although I am late to finally reading his book, it was uncanny to hear his voice in my head as I turned each page. There is much to take away from his insights, and I fully intend to carry them forward.

[Roger Smitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

In any bookstore, we find many books about getting a job, moving up the line, and making money. We see them around graduation time.

This book runs the theme for working in “excellent” companies and doing the right things. Author Bagchi speaks to the people on high level positions in big companies. The book challenges the reader to do his {and a little about her] way to make the company in the right way.

Early in the book, he makes ethics, a necessary part of what the business. This is useful but in a very short statement on this topic. Of course, all of the topics are reviewed in very short pieces.

This enables the reader to get some ideas in what is probably a very busy routine. It could be a good book to read while riding on the train to work.

It’s a worthy read but it is only the beginning of what the author focuses on.

[VK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Interesting Book Really it is deserves 4.5 stars. Its pile of good thoughts

The thin line between those who are competent at their jobs and those who are professional at it.

People make situations and Situations often make people

Integrity precedes professional competence

People do not appreciate values when everything is going well..

Not only White and Black.. Find Many Shades of GREY....

Only a great person can express a negative emotion for the right person to the right degree at the right time.

Sometimes, the most profound ideas come not when you are in boardroom but when you are washing dishes (or in bathrooms my experiences)

Do not do what you do not like to do and learn to say no to additional chores or requests outside of work. If the senior is a real professional, he will respect you for your candour. As a professional you must set the limits, and when you do, people will respect you for it.

Vision is not about the past. Vision is not about the present. Vision is almost invariably a distant image. Vision is future backward.

Vision must be acted upon; it must be externalized and articulated

All of us must understand one vital truth: it is the job of the environment to present obstacles. That is the way nature is bulit.

Nature designs things in such a way that dreams must die in the same proportion that wild SALMONS breed. Out of the 2500 eggs a wild Coho salmon lays, 2125 die. Which is to say only 375 eggs hatch. Of these, Only 30 survive. From this lot, 25 are either eaten by predators or die due to environmental reasons. Eventually, only two survive to become fully grown adults, to return to their source with the burden of their dreams and spawn - THE SAME RATIO APPLIES TO ANYONE WHO BUILDS A VISION THAT IS LARGER THAN LIFE.

Do not be fazed by the size of your adversary; the size of your adversary determines the size of your success.

Ishikawa diagrams: 7 QCs - Root Cause Analsysis:
1.People: Anyone involved with the process
2.Methods: How the process is performed and the specific requirements for doing it, such as 3.policies, procedures, rules, regulations and laws
4.Machines: Any equipment, computers, tools, etc. required to accomplish the job
5.Materials: Raw materials, parts, pens, paper, etc. used to produce the final product
6.Measurements: Data generated from the process that are used to evaluate its quality
7.Environment: The conditions, such as location, time, temperature, and culture

It is not enough to have the best skilled people on the jobs; they must respect life and living things

Trust cannot be replaced by competence. Competence can be acquired but trust either exists from day one or it does not. Knowing your individual limitations and the limitations of your company.

There can be no healing without a touch

Plagiarism: A Professional must do three things when depending on such other sources
1. State why you have chosen to pull out a specific set of Information
2. Acknowledge the source
3. State your own reasoned conclusion

A poor workman blames his tools, a bad professional blames his associates.

Being a professional is a matter of personal choice and the values we opt to live by.

[Sukrut Joshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Professional is an extremely well researched and well written book on the meaning The Professional. It describes professions not only in the corporate setup but also how people adhere to there professions who are not in the corporate setup. The most beautiful example given in the book is of Mahadev of Bangalore. Mahadev's profession is to give a dignified cremation / burial to the bodies which are found unclaimed on the streets / hospitals of Bangalore. This book showcases various professions and how one should always be true / loyal to one's profession and adhere to the highest levels of governance while doing so.

[Deepak Narang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is well written and descriptive. The author shares valuable insights from his own professional and personal life as incidences where he encountered supreme professional conduct by individuals from different backgrounds. The book also talks about must have qualities of a professional and what moral and ethical values one should have to be a true professional. Overall a very good experience. It's a must read for all young professionals from people who have recently started working or are about to embark their professional journeys.

[Shubham Goswami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the mere attempt to define "a professional" and unfolding the thought thereafter was enough for me to give it a 3 star. My journey through this book further on earned the remaining 2 stars and I know I have not overrated it. The detailing aspects of this book are profound and elaborate at the same time never losing the point of discussion on the way. Hoping to meet the author some day for a personal interaction, looking forward to many more books from Mr. Bagchi in near future.

[Gourang Ambulkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of markers to aid workplace professional. I liked his last chapter where he explains platform and purpose. It added a new dimension to my thought process. I thought a chapter dedicated to ethics and corporate social responsibilities would have good, although he does brush on these here and there. And of course one star less because he keeps marketing Mind Tree at my expense in the book. Thought that was a tad bit unprofessional as I didn't buy the book to know more about MindTree.

[Balachandra B K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone starting work and everyone current at work should read this. As the title says, the book clearly provides a definition of what it means to be a professional instead of being merely qualified. I have been fortunate to have been taught some of these lessons both from my parents and at work. However, this book is a good reference that I will come back to and something that I will preach to my team. Highly recommended.

[Rajesh Trivedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book for people who believe they are professionals. This book has simple style of writing & leaving you with thought. Subroto is never preache but share his experience and observations. Each chapter is of 2-3 page which makes easy to read. I believe B-school should make it mandatory read for final semester students & corporates can give it to each New joiner & existing employees.

[SWATI SHUKLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book very relatable with some real-life incidences. While reading the book it seems that at some points it seems hard to implement each and every point but if one start trying and practicing these points, no hurdle will seem big in the path of success. Moreover, the inner satisfaction will lead to boost our confidence thus making my personality more impressive.

[Durgaprasad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subrato Bagchi’s book deserves to be classified as a classic and will achieve that status in time to come. Written in a parabolic manner, the book lays down what a persons needs to inculcate in his work culture to become a Professional. A must read for almost any one.

[Athar Abbas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had read this book in the starting years of my career on what a professional must or must not do. So refreshing and so motivating. I still employ few nuggets of wisdom from this book. I plan to read it again.

[Abid Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite Cleverly, the book can be used by an organisation to create a sustainable organisation through culture. The book lists various thoughts about a professional which is quite useful for someone who has began working for an organisation.

[Mahi Balan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book worthy of a handbook for any professional who wants to grow with a moral high ground. Points from the book can be distilled into the mottos and rulebooks of anyone looking to create legacy, and not just money

[Suyash Nagayach · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good quick read but doesn't leave a lasting effect.

[Hemal Bagdai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent piece

[Nitin · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was good book.

[Pardeep Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice book. You will know the real meaning of professionalism!!