[tangentspace]

I've worked in a number of professional environments, and attire ranged from steel-toed work boots and rugged clothes covered with mud, to full suit-and-tie, and a range of in-betweens (but never beach gear). So I never associated attire with professionalism per se, although it is important to wear something suitable to the task at hand.

What has not been so variable are things I'd consider more core aspects of professional behavior:

* caring deeply about customer needs and expectations, exercising grit, determination, and ingenuity to satisfy them

* understanding business concerns like cost management and delivering value to both investors and customers, striking a balance between competing demands

* understanding and caring about teammates, working effectively with a team to achieve above 2 objectives. maintaining a solution oriented mindset.

Here's how I might apply my interpretation of professionalism to the hypothetical situation that you were a capable coworker at Weber Thompson who felt uncomfortable due to the approximately 16 degree temperature excess on a hot day: propose partitioning off a space and installing air conditioning there for those who want it.

I don't see any inherent technical obstacles or insurmountable business concerns in that solution. It would balance the desires of some employees for connection with outside air, without causing discomfort to others who for one reason or another have a different preference. Customers might appreciate the flexibility to make the space suitable for a wider variety of preferences, and ask if we can do the same for them.