A Professional!

A few years ago, in my earlier 'Avatar' as a sailor, we woke up one day to the ISM Code for ships. This safety management code for ships involved procedures, processes and copious documentation, which obviously nobody liked. The ISM Code was scoffed at, its introduction decried & generally everybody said it was a waste of time & shippies would throw it out. What was forgotten, was that, it was a statutory requirement, passed by the International Maritime Organization and was law. Today twenty years down the line the ISM is law and quietly followed by all mariners.

The story was repeated with the ISPS Code ( International Ship & Port Safety Code )along similar lines.

On careful analysis I found that, folk who resist something, generally do so out of fear, of a new system overwhelming them. A fear that they would be unable to cope with a new way of functioning.I've seen this happen repeatedly during my career.

More recently I've had to deal with the Quality Management System ( ISO 9001 )& have come across similar reactions.I've been asked why we should adopt a system that is a waste of time. I feel bewildered, because, it is simple logic that the QMS is here to stay, more so in flat world where industry sees no geographic boundaries.We need generic standards that would serve as a platform for quality as we move forward.

Many years ago, the Windy City ( Chicago ) was not what it is today.......Crime ruled and the mafia ruled Chicago. In the 1930's, Al Capone, the legendary, Mafioso was the kingpin of Chicago. The situation was made worse, by the introduction of prohibition a few years prior, giving rise to rampant corruption and sale of illegal liquor.

In comes an idealistic federal agent Eliot Ness, whose assignment to clean up Chicago leads to violence and serious questions about upholding the law. Initially powerless to stop the flow of booze into the city (the police force is corrupt and everyone in town seems to be on the mob's payroll), Ness finds guidance from an older streetwise cop who convinces him he'll need to break some of the law if he wants to bring down head mobster Al Capone and clean up Chicago.Ness, adopts a policy of two eyes for one & is absolutely ruthless, goes about his job with evangelistic zeal and brings the mafia to its knees.......when suddenly prohibition is lifted and booze is back! Ness & his weary team are now jobless & when asked what he would do next, Ness is said to have said, " I'm going home & get myself a drink".

Ness loved his alcohol, but there was a job to be done and he did it, keeping his personal likes aside. That is called professionalism.I wish there was more of it around and more people like Ness, who just did their job and did it damn well!