what is work ethic — Photo by Avi Richards

I have looked at lousy management practices and what makes a good leader in previous articles. Also, I covered the issue in today’s society where meritocracy has died in the liberal West. My last article, “How to motivate unmotivated employees.” I went over why we need to motivate our teams.

There are a few areas that directly affect motivation. Several more that get highlighted once an employee has lost that motivation. Work Ethic is one area that will suffer once motivation is lost.

What is work ethic? And how do we define it?

Work ethics is known as a transferable or “soft” skill. It is an inherent attitude that an individual possesses. It allows one to make decisions and perform ones duty with positive moral values. That include elements like integrity, responsibility, high quality, discipline, humility and teamwork.

An individual with a positive work ethic will consider the moral implications of everything he or she does. Establish clear boundaries between what he or she deems appropriate and what he or she doesn’t. According to his or her own values and principles.

Companies should develop and promote a set of organisational values that can be observed. To perform adequate assessments and goals for each individual that connects somehow with the organisation.

More information can be seen here on Wikipedia

Since we all have different backgrounds, beliefs and attitudes towards others. The guidelines must be provided by the company or institution in order to attain a desirable work environment. Usually, a company’s values reflect its founder’s beliefs and principles.

What are the main types of work ethic?

Integrity

One of the most critical workplace ethics is integrity. By definition, integrity is the “quality or capability of being honest and having strong moral principles, a personal code of conduct that goes above the level of good conduct and encompasses the spirit of good conduct.” Employees with integrity are usually the ones you can count on. The ones with the highest moral values and the ones who are bent on doing the right thing at all times.

Honesty

Being honest means, you do not deceive others by giving out misleading information. This includes being truthful by way of conduct and usually without the intention of lying, cheating or any form of deceit. In a workplace, an honest employee is the one you can rely on to continue doing their best in their jobs for the company’s benefit. Customers typically only deal with a business or a service provider they trust. Generally, once the trust is lost, it is gone forever.

Discipline

Disciplined employees are extremely important as they ensure that all tasks and projects are delivered and executed in a timely manner. At times, an employee although talented in his line of work but lacks the commitment and dedication to complete the tasks given. It requires a certain level of discipline to complete the tasks within a certain time frame and execute them well instead of doing just the bare minimum at the very last minute.

Fair and respect

Achieving an ethically strong workplace involves the cooperation of every employee, from top decision-makers/leaders to entry-level employees. No matter which level you are at, you need to ensure that all your actions are fair and respectful. Particularly if you are entrusted with a position to lead. Always remember that everyone in your team deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Regardless of who they are or which position they fill. This will provide a positive work culture in your organisation.

Responsible and accountable

If an employee has a strong sense of responsibility, he or she will undoubtedly turn up for work on time and complete the tasks given with the best effort that he or she can offer. Nevertheless, there will be a time when an employee may make a mistake. Hence it is also important to acknowledge these mistakes, be accountable for them and accept any consequences. In specific scenarios, a servant manager will take accountability for their staff or colleagues for reasons not in self-interest but for the well-being of all involved.

How is work ethic tied to motivation?

Employees with strong work ethics are highly motivated and produce consistently high-quality results. A good work ethic can be taught as long as more productive behaviours are clearly demonstrated to your employees.

Work ethic is a great indicator of your team’s motivation, engagement and trust in the management.

How to improve your work Ethic.

Eight ways to improve your work ethic.

Start treating your body right. If you are healthy and full of energy, that will show at work. However, if you wake up tired and feel as though you have not slept, then this will also show at work. Get fit, lose weight if you need to and get healthy.
Remove distractions. Don’t leave your phone on at work or in your pocket on vibrate, and certainly turn off your social media notifications. Nothing in this day and age is more distracting, and in certain circumstances, dangerous than our phones.
Measure yourself against your colleagues. See how they are doing and look for their strengths and weaknesses. Try to improve your strengths based on what you see and eliminate any weaknesses that you see not only in them but also yourself. It is not easy to be self-critical, but a must if you want to improve.

Look at yourself now

Set your own standard of excellence. Set your goals high and try to achieve them, don’t, however, set them so high you have no chance of reaching them, as this will surely de-motivate you.
Be dependable. Show up, work hard and don’t skive.
Try and work flexible days. This relieves you of the 9 to 5 monotony and could show you that a different shift pattern works better for your lifestyle.
Get to work on time, ready to go. Don’t walk in exactly on time because this means you are already late. Get to work early, and have a coffee or tea but ensure you are at your desk or workstation at the bell.
Own up and own mistakes. You can only learn by mistakes, so take ownership of them, and sort them out but never hide them.

In conclusion

So, in conclusion. Watch your work ethic and that of your colleagues. If it starts to slip, then you will see that motivation, engagement, or bad management is a direct cause. During HR Exit interviews, generally, one of these is the reason for moving. Even if the employee claims the reason is a new job, it is more than likely one of the above reasons.