The Tribune

When it comes to employment, there is one ‘must have’ trait. Can you guess what it is? It is work ethic. Many job seekers struggle to understand that work ethic is more than just an innate mix of good family upbringing and personal qualities but, rather, a trait you can actually nurture. So, what does work ethic mean? Work ethic refers to a set of key moral values that guide individuals towards successfully completing their work in a formal environment.

Work ethic means different things to different people. While some see it as the guiding force behind an employee’s motivation at work, others regard it simply as being a complete list of skills that companies need to get their projects done. More controversial than its simple definition, there is a strong difference of opinion over whether a strong work ethic is something you are born with or can learn.

A strong work ethic is behaviour that is honed over years of development. It is heavily influenced by what we were trained to do from early childhood. I have worked with mid to high-level professional women who, for instance, learned to become “perfectionist over-functioners”. While being a perfectionist over-functioner looks like a great work ethic, it is a crushing way to live and can lead to exhaustion or burn out.

No one is just born with a strong work ethic. It is something developed through all the small things you do - from the first human interactions you have, to school group projects and small chores at home. All are often involuntary learning opportunities we stumble upon at various stages in life. So, if work ethics are a set of skills, what are some of the traits that can be developed in time?

Punctuality is one such trait. It involves getting to an appointment on time and attending classes in school. Similarly, our parents teach us to be respectful to other people and, even indirectly, guide us to become true professionals.

Strong work ethic

Employers are always looking for people who are eager to give their best, follow policies and are prepared for challenges. This is no surprise, since 85 percent of employers consider attitude and work ethic as the top attributes when picking their next employee. But what exactly are the benefits from hiring a worker with a strong work ethic?

Time Management

Regardless of how small a business is, a detailed schedule is helpful as nobody can work eight hours straight and fulfill their full potential. Most importantly, employees who organise their time efficiently also help to deliver work within deadlines. Solid work ethics also involve how well staff handle team relations and sharing information. Constructive feedback can also help a company’s growth by determining if their policies work for you and how they can be improved.

Honesty and trust

Trust begins among upper management to promote honesty and faith between team members. Here are a few tips to help achieve this:

• Praise employees when they deserve it

• Share appropriate information in accordance with everyone’s role in the team

• Allow others to speak their minds and bring their personal contribution to a project’s development

• Discuss professional growth reports

• Set an example by delivering on the points promised, which shows consistency and character integrity.

Nurture a strong work ethic as an employee

Workers do not always quit jobs for wage-related reasons. Often, it is how well their principles align with the company. Respect, trust, well-deserved recognition and good working relationships have a huge impact in this equation. Yet a study found that managers rarely discuss an employee’s alignment with the company’s mission during meetings.

Avoid procrastination

Why do most people procrastinate? This is usually in direct proportion to the time allocated for a project’s completion. This means that if you have one day to complete a task, you will eventually spend it all, even though the task only requires three hours to complete. Nonetheless, the best way to beat procrastination is to make the most out of the time spent and continuously develop yourself professionally.

Recognition

The old saying “love your job” sets an unrealistic expectation that you have to enjoy it or else it is not worth your time. But most employees who do not feel valued are likely to leave their current job. So, in this case, it is really a two-way street, and managers, team leaders and co-workers ought to ensure employees are receiving the appropriate recognition and appreciation.

On the flip side, here is the hard truth. If you are only chasing better pay, chances are you will miss out on opportunities that are better suited to your own values, and you end up moving from one job to another. Organise efficiently, as all successful projects are built on a solid structure. Beyond bonuses or company awards, learn and grow professionally to reach your own milestones and work on feeding your internal motivation to succeed. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories rather than regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game.

NB: Columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com

ABOUT COLUMNIST: Deidre M. Bastian is a professionally-trained graphic designer/brand marketing analyst, author and certified life coach with qualifications of A.Sc. B.Sc. M.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as: Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of The Bahamas, Nova Southeastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.