We all say “time is precious,” but if we’re honest, we treat it like that one Buy-One-Get-One coupon we forget to use. I’m no saint either — I’ve had my fair share of fashionably late moments.
But there’s one behaviour we expect from everyone around us (and expect even more loudly in the workplace) yet conveniently forget to practice ourselves: being professional.
What does that even mean? Is it about polished shoes? Fancy emails? Knowing the difference between CC and BCC?
Let me tell you what being professional really looks like — through the most unexpected teacher in my life: my home maid, Felu Devi.
The 6 AM Masterclass
When I hired her three years ago, I gave her the usual instructions: timings, chores, what to clean daily/weekly/monthly, which soap belongs to what, how to rinse the mop cloth (honestly, even I can’t keep track), and all the other housekeeping SOPs.
Since then, I’ve never once had to call her asking, “Felu, kab aaogi?”
Because at sharp 6 AM, every single day—summer, winter, monsoon—my doorbell rings.
In fact, it is my alarm clock. I basically wake up to Felu’s face.
She values time because she has other houses to go to—but she respects mine even more.
Proactiveness 101
I’ve never had to remind her about her work.
If the dishwashing liquid is about to finish, she tells me.
If the mop is dying a slow death—she tells me.
She doesn’t wait for chaos.
She prevents it.
That’s her secret.
The Salary Shock
Here’s the episode that really humbled me.
Once, I completely forgot to pay her salary. Not by a day… by several.
And she didn’t remind me.
When I asked why she didn’t say anything, she smiled and said,
“Mujhe paisa maangne ki aadat nahi hai.”
(“I don’t have the habit of asking for money. ”)
I was stunned.
In my entire life, I’ve never met a maid (or cook, for that matter) who didn’t show up sharp on the 1st of the month with a gentle-but-firm reminder.
Forget reminders—Felu has never even taken an advance.
Trust and loyalty: 1
Since that day, I have never forgotten her salary date again.
Communication Without MBA Jargon
She gets two leaves a month. She always informs in advance.
If she misses a call, she calls back.
Not because she attended a communication workshop.
Not because she read a book about “professional etiquette”.
Just because she respects the people she works with.
Imagine if half the so-called “professionals” did this.
Going the Extra Mile (Without Billing It)
When guests are home, or I have early meetings or travel, she finds time to help with the extra workload.
No fuss. No bargaining. No, “this is not in my JD”.
Just a simple willingness to help.
A rare trait in today’s hyper-entitled professional ecosystem.
So, what is a professional?
For me, it’s simple:
- Someone who respects commitments
- Values time—yours and theirs
- Communicates proactively
- Advises before things break
- Walks an extra mile when needed
- Builds trust without announcing it on LinkedIn
And ironically, many blue-collar and gig workers exhibit these far more consistently than some people with degrees, certifications, and “corporate exposure”.
Because professionalism is not taught in B-schools.
It’s taught in homes.
It’s built through habits.
And sometimes, it rings your doorbell at exactly 6 AM every day.