What it Means to Have a “Profession”

Here’s an interesting piece that attempts to define the meaning of the word “profession.” For Roger Martin, a profession has two requirements:

• Only a few people know how to do the work
• The work is somehow regulated

According to Mr. Martin, under this definition, management is not a true profession since it lacks regulation. He predicts that, through more rigorous training and an understanding of what makes an effective manager, management may become a profession:

…if we can demonstrate to the world that the inability to integrate is the prime cause of managerial failure, then perhaps management could move toward being a profession in which people could be tested and certified on their ability to think integratively.

How timely to read this post. Wednesday this week, I learned in a product briefing that Cabela’s, the mail-order outdoor gear retailer, has initiated compliance training for managers. The company has established specific internal regulatory requirements for its managers. Cabela managers must ensure that they are certified in meeting these requirements. Consequently, according to the the definition proposed by Mr. Martin, management is viewed as a profession within Cabela’s. (RN)

Management Is Not a Profession — But It Can Be Taught | Harvard Business Review | Roger Martin | 1 July 2010

Tagged as: Certification, Compliance, Regulatory