Old School Professionalism: Rebuilding Standards in the Modern Workplace
About this ebook
Old School Professionalism is a direct, practical guide to rebuilding those standards. Drawing on real-world leadership experience and backed by research, Michael Dunn argues that professionalism was never about exclusion—it was about giving everyone the same playbook so the best ideas could win. Through chapters on presence, communication, clarity, appearance, and ownership, the book shows how to restore trust, sharpen performance, and protect fairness in modern teams.
This is not about nostalgia for the past. It is about applying proven fundamentals to today’s hybrid, multigenerational workplaces. From owning the room with presence and voice, to understanding why dress still signals intent, to setting clear standards that cut through bias, Old School Professionalism gives leaders and professionals the tools to thrive in high-pressure environments where clarity and consistency matter most.
Professionalism is contagious. When you raise the bar, others follow. This book is your manifesto for bringing it back.
About the author
Michael Dunn is a global IT leader and author who has spent more than a decade running technology for governments, Fortune 500s, and hyperscale cloud providers. Known for cutting through workplace nonsense with direct, practical advice, he writes on leadership, resilience, and professionalism with the same unflinching honesty he brings to his career. His books, including Don’t Quit, Mentor Without a Title, and Invisible Bias, challenge readers to raise their standards and reclaim clarity in the modern workplace. Dunn lives in Kenmare, Ireland with his wife and five children.
