Work ethic is the inner drive some individuals possess that leads them to put forth the effort to perform all assignments wholly and professionally and go the extra mile to ensure the job gets done correctly. It’s also the dedication to represent oneself and the company in the best manner –always.
A strong work ethic has many benefits to you, as an employee, and to your company.
- If you demonstrate a strong work ethic, you’ll earn a reputation that benefits career advancement. Individuals willing to work hard produce higher quantities of quality work, attracting positive attention from those in management.
- Demonstrating a good work ethic shows that you are a reliable employee, opening doors to more responsibility and leadership opportunities. In addition, these experiences will increase your chances of a raise or promotion.
- A good work ethic increases the chances that you will have a positive work experience and have fulfilling relationships with colleagues. These relationships can lead to greater accomplishment from a professional and personal standpoint.
- Individuals with a strong work ethic add value to their organization. This added value produces mutual benefits, providing efficiencies and bottom-line success for the company and career growth and achievement for the employee.
- Colleagues with a strong work ethic can be an example for others. The best way to establish a high-achieving corporate culture is to have employees who exhibit a strong work ethic lead others and reinforce a culture of engaged, motivated employees who are justly rewarded for their efforts.
If you’re looking to hire someone who will demonstrate the characteristics of a strong work ethic in their work, what qualities should you seek?
- Accountability – Accepting responsibility for work and openly sharing the results.
- Honesty – Enough said!
- Humility – Boastful personalities dampen some of the success from a strong work ethic.
- Integrity – Doing the right thing regardless of the circumstances.
- Organized – Being the person to whom everyone turns when they need a quick answer.
- High-quality work – Taking the time to do assignments correctly the first time.
- Reliability – Getting the job done the way you want it done.
- Team Player – Being willing to do their share of the work and accept only their earned acclaim, deflecting praise to the team rather than drawing credit to themselves.
- Results-oriented – Refusing to allow distractions to prevent success and offering no excuses – just getting the job done.
- Disciplined – Sticking to the schedule, focusing on priorities to ensure project completion is correct and timely.
If you’re a manager, how do you engender a strong work ethic in employees? First, establish a culture where expectations are clear, rewards are significant, and poor performance is addressed appropriately.
If you’re an employee, how do you demonstrate a strong work ethic? First, find a job you believe in and enjoy. Then, learn the expectations and exceed them. Put in the time and effort to produce high-quality work. Give your employer the best of you. If it’s not reciprocated, find a company that will.
