(Verse 1) Lower your voice, adjust your face Anger doesn’t photograph well in this place Say it nicer, say it calm Like tone ever stopped real harm They hear the volume, not the words Clip the edges, miss the nerve If you flinch, if you press too hard They call it “unprofessional” (Pre-Chorus) They say “we’re just concerned” While everything you said gets blurred They don’t dispute a single fact They just don’t like how it was packed (Chorus) Professionalism Smile while you’re dismissed Speak softly or don’t speak at all That’s professionalism Professionalism A dress code for the wrist If you sound hurt, you lose your case That’s professionalism (Verse 2) You submit clean, you document Dates, emails, precedent They skim past what’s inconvenient And circle how you seemed You were clear, but not polite You were right, but not “aligned” So now the problem’s how you asked Not what you were answering back (Pre-Chorus) They say “this isn’t about tone” Then quote it when you’re not at home They say “emotion clouds the truth” As if the truth never bruised (Chorus) Professionalism Measured by containment If your voice shakes, credibility slips That’s professionalism Professionalism Anger’s an amendment We’ll keep the system exactly the same Just change how you mention it (Bridge – stripped, half-spoken) Funny how calm is only required From the person already on fire Funny how damage sounds so neat When it’s described in passive speech You can be wrong and still be “civil” You can be cruel and still be “reasonable” But name the harm too accurately And suddenly— You’re the liability (Final Chorus) Professionalism A muzzle made of rules They don’t need to say you’re wrong They just say you broke decorum Professionalism Neutral voice, unequal tools If survival makes you loud You were never “fit” somehow (Outro) I wasn’t unprofessional. I was precise.
