- Geekmaster
- 2020-05-31 09:52:04
- 10 minute(s)
Why is it so important to have a good and strong work ethic? Ultimately, it will show the strength of your character and present you as an all-around positive person.
Work ethic is important in defining your identity.
It becomes part of who you are, and there is no doubt that a huge part of how people will view and know you will come from what they perceive to be your work ethic.
Those who possess this trait are better employees who get the job done, no matter what.
They often require less oversight on daily activities and managers are able to rely upon them to complete bigger tasks. While some individuals try to get by doing as little work as possible, others possess a dedication that leads them to give it their all every day .
A strong work ethic is an important part of being successful in your career.
People who possess a strong work ethic embody certain principles that guide their work behavior , leading them to produce high-quality work consistently and without the prodding that some individuals require to stay on track.
Employees who consistently demonstrate good work ethics can be invaluable assets.
As a candidate, showing the values associated with a good work ethic can increase your employability and help you position yourself for better job opportunities.
ImportantAs an organization, it will be to its benefit to have employees with solid work ethics , because their traits and personalities will contribute to the attainment of the vision and goals of the organization.
In this article, we are going to cover some examples of values and attributes that show you have a good work ethic. Here are five factors to look for that demonstrate a strong work ethic.
Integrity
Professional integrity means holding oneself to high moral principles. Those with a strong work ethic have outstanding integrity . They’re honest, polite and fair to others.
When you are telling the truth, you become respected and people start trusting you.
ImportantIntegrity should permeate every aspect of your job, from how you deal with your clients to how you treat your co-workers and your superiors. It means doing the right things, at all times , even if no one is watching, much less your boss.
According to Robert Shaw, you can earn a certain level of trust if you are able to achieve results while demonstrating concern for others and acting with integrity the whole time. Hence the formula:
Results + Integrity + Concern = Level of Trust.
Employers value employees who maintain a sense of honesty and integrity above all else. Good relationships are built on trust . When working for an employer they want to know that they can trust what you say and what you do.
It is the responsibility of each person to use their own individual sense of moral and ethical behavior when serving others within the scope of their job.
Dishonesty sometimes creeps into the workplace through a variety of practices: stealing personal property, sabotaging a coworker’s client presentation, or taking someone’s idea and making it your own.
Refrain from lying or cheating to make others look bad.
Instead, take responsibility for mistakes, own up to failures and keep the lines of communication open with everyone involved. Learn to be true to yourself – hiding behind lies will bring you nothing but frustrations.
Make sure you recognize when you’re wrong and admit when you must change.
how to develop a strong work ethic
Professionalism
Employees with a good work ethic almost always maintain their professionalism. They exhibit a professional attitude clear in the way they dress, speak and carry themselves . They’re respectful, focused, organized and neat.
Professionalism is something observed from the moment an employee walks in the office door to when he leaves.
He arrives a few minutes early to settle in and get his coffee, so that he will be ready to start his shift on time. He doesn’t take random breaks or change lunch schedules without authorization . He understands his job and is prepared to do it.
Work ethics set the tone to develop the habits needed to be professional and consistent all day long.
Professionals look, speak, and dress accordingly to maintain an image of someone who takes pride in their behavior and appearance . Professionals complete projects as soon as possible and avoid letting uncompleted projects pile up.
Professionals complete high quality work and are detail oriented. Professional includes demeanor, attitude, and values.
ImportantPeople who want to develop a good work ethic should practice being cordial and positive and should always refrain for partaking in gossip . Professionals are respectful of others and work to develop a reputation of being an honest, hard worker.
Professionals are enthusiastic about their work and optimistic about the organization and its future.
Think of the people on your team who follow through on promises, own up to mistakes and have a way of staying positive in the face of adversity. A professional does their job to the best of their ability, expects the same of their colleagues, and effortlessly raises everyone’s standards .
Professionalism isn’t about taking yourself seriously—it’s about taking the work seriously.
how to develop a strong work ethic
Self-discipline
Discipline is an essential part of showing a good work ethic. Highly disciplined employees show determination and commitment to the job. They strive to meet or exceed expectations and seek opportunities to learn new skills and improve their performance .
Discipline involves focus, dedication and determination on your part to do what you should.
ImportantWork ethic is something that emanates from within. You can tell an employee to do this and that, but if they do not have enough discipline to follow through with their performance, then there is no way that they can become the productive employees that the company wants.
Employers look for employees who require little supervision and direction to get the work done in a timely and professional manner.
Building persistence will allow you to basically train yourself to work for longer periods of time while also working harder. The people who can perform day in and day out, who have a habit of success, are your real superstars.
Keeping a disciplined mindset will help you reach your goals and increase your productivity. The magic ingredient is engagement.
When employees are engaged by their work—and that usually means when they feel a sense of ownership and control over what they do—there’s no stopping them.
Focus is equally as important as persistence when it comes to work ethic.
Focusing will allow you to finish tasks more efficiently while avoiding distractions . If you show dedication and commitment to coming up with very good results in your work, then your work ethic will definitely shine.
Part of a good work ethic is commitment and dedication to the job.
While some employees do only the barest minimum, or what is expected of them, there are those who go beyond that. They do more, they perform better , and they definitely go the extra mile to come up with results that surpass expectations.
how to develop a strong work ethic
Productivity
A strong work ethic translates to outstanding productivity. Productive employees often have a higher output than their counterparts . They complete projects early and do more than the minimum requirements.
Results are the name of the game.
At the end of the day, possessing all talent and potential in the world means nothing if you aren’t able to produce anything to show for it. People with a good work ethic find a way to get the job done, no matter the challenge , no matter how they are feeling that day.
Because they work at a consistently fast pace, individuals with a good work ethic are often highly productive.
They commonly get large amounts of work done more quickly than others who lack their work ethic, as they don’t quit until they’ve completed the tasks with which they were presented.
People with a strong work ethic do not procrastinate and instead immediately tackle their work tasks.
ImportantThis high level of productivity is also due, at least in part, to the fact that these individuals want to appear to be strong workers . The more productive they are, the more beneficial to the company they appear to those managing them.
Reliability goes hand in hand with a good work ethic.
Individuals with a strong work ethic often want to appear dependable, showing their employers that they are workers to whom they can turn . Because of this, they put effort into portraying – and proving – this dependability by being reliable and performing consistently and productively.
Getting to work on time is also a way that employees show a good work ethic. It signals commitment and a good attitude.
how to develop a strong work ethic
Adaptability
Employers seek employees who are adaptable and maintain flexibility in completing tasks in an ever changing workplace. Being open to change and improvements provides an opportunity to complete work assignments in a more efficient manner .
New strategies, ideas, and work habits can foster a belief among workers that management are both committed to making the workplace a better place to work.
While oftentimes employees complain that changes don’t make sense or makes their work harder, oftentimes these complaints are due to a lack of flexibility. No matter how accomplished an employee seems, without a desire to improve, sooner or later they’ll be left behind .
Stagnation is not a pleasant feeling—in life or your career. The best employees will prevent this by seeking to always improve themselves.
You can also spot critical thinking in employees that stay up to date with company updates, gather information from various sources of data and they are willing to change their mind if discover that they are wrong.
You may be surprised to learn that critical thinking is also linked to having a strong work ethic.
ImportantThe ability to act independently is also a crucial element of having a good work ethic— no matter how talented someone is, if they need to be micromanaged, they’ll hold your team back .
Recognizing self-starters and independent thinkers is an important task for any hiring manager.
This applies also to employees that are willing to volunteer and to take on new projects, learn new skills and show that they passionate about their career development. Employees that embrace change, omit you in their career and should be recognized .
Employees that get outside their comfort zone always demonstrate a wonderful work ethic.
how to develop a strong work ethic
Final Thoughts
People with a strong work ethic are reliable, dedicated, productive, cooperative and self-disciplined. Showing the qualities of a strong work ethic can help you improve your performance in any career .
Deciding what your values are can be a major contributor to having a good work ethic.
ImportantIf you are motivated, it is easy to develop a strong work ethic that will be appreciated by employers and coworkers. Having a strong work ethic can also increase your chances of being considered for promotions, new jobs, and can lead to other positive outcomes .
These things are not all that difficult to do. In fact, they are relatively easy. It is the execution that most people find complicated.
Still, it is a fact that building and maintaining a strong work ethic is not a walk in the park . It takes a lot for a person to prove that he has one, but if you are committed and dedicated enough, then you will no doubt be able to convince that your work ethic is one of the things that make you an asset.
Work ethic seems to be universally accepted as one of the most important factors contributing to one’s success.
If you enjoyed the article or have any comments, recommendations, or tips for improvement please do comment below.
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