Key points

Excellence requires both proven skills and unwavering reliability.

Integrity and self-mastery sustain trust, even under pressure.

Genuine connection transforms abilities into lasting influence.

In my last blog post , I made a case for why professionalism remains critical for success. Nevertheless, in a world where “professionalism” can mean anything from jeans-on-Fridays to polished Zoom backdrops, it’s easy to feel adrift. Early in my career , I steered clear of PowerPoint entirely—back when slide decks ruled boardrooms—and I’m gratified that its limitations are now widely acknowledged. Likewise, the proliferation of online classrooms and virtual collaboration tools has laid bare how technology can foster passivity instead of true engagement.

Yet beneath these ever-c

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