INSYNC
Develop work ethic to solve workplace issues
Work ethic was for a long time overshadowed by qualifications. Explained in simple terms as a set of values in an individual that are related to work, it determines his and his organisation’s success. So, the corporate world is now focusing on ways to develop work ethic.
Organisations across the globe have realised that the only way to thrive is to adopt a growth culture. For this, they need people with work ethic.
They need people who are not just committed to their jobs, but committed to their work.
They need people who are not just capable of delivering, but will deliver. But, this is the greatest challenge for any employer.
So, work ethic has now become a decisive factor in recruitment processes and a priority area in employee development programmes.
Work ethic helps individuals to grow faster in their careers. They get opportunities to handle challenging assignments, are promoted soon and may even enjoy some special employee benefits.
It even contributes to the personal development of an individual.
Work ethic is everything about an employee’s approach to his work. Typically, employees with work ethic can be described as disciplined, hardworking, determined, ambitious, goal oriented, dependable, sociable, self-managing and success driven. They reflect a high level of integrity. These employees are highly motivated and enthusiastic about their work. They resist every distraction and deliver against all odds.
Their aim is improvement and growth; they are the ones to volunteer for difficult assignments. They take pride in their organisation, job and what they are and inspire the same in others. They maintain good work relations and can communicate effectively.
Work ethic should come from within. And fortunately, it can be cultivated. While a major part of responsibility to develop it is on the individual, the organisation also has a significant role to play in nourishing it in its employees.
Work ethic can be developed by practising the right way of dealing with work. Some pointers to individuals:
Focus: We should be clear about what we are doing and not let anything distract us from the task we are on. Focus requires self-control. Good planning and disciplined execution accelerate our focus.
Do it on time: Work ethic reflects in completing tasks on time. So we should cultivate the habit of doing things right at the moment. Procrastination is the biggest obstacle in finishing our tasks. But of course, periodic breaks are necessary to rejuvenate our body and mind.
Do it right: Compromised quality is only a poor substitute to the job finished on time. Everything need not be perfect; but should at least meet the target-standard. The work approach for most of us is to first finish a task and then polish it. But, this will not result in good quality. Instead we should complete the task maintaining the quality and then review for improving it.
Persistence: Persistence is very important aspect of work ethic. It is something we have to cultivate gradually.
For example, a person wants to double his output. Now he can start off aiming for 20 per cent more than his usual and constantly increase it.
Once he reaches his target, he should maintain it. The key here is to not break the practice or reduce the target.
On the employer’s part:
Facilitate good work relations: Good work relations, especially between the boss and his subordinates, keep employees cheerful and motivate them to try harder. It also ensures proper information flow.
Increase employee engagement: Competence in employees increase when they feel they are valued. So, employers should consult and engage employees as much as possible while dealing with activities that would affect them. Trust and confidence in employees is basis for employee engagement.
Assessment and reward: Credit and reward for work are the minimum expectations every employee has. So, employers should make a fair assessment of an employees’ performance and reward them appropriately to keep them interested in their work.
The above initiatives help employees maintain a positive approach to their work. Apart from these, the employer can conduct sessions that appeal to the morals and ethics in employees.
Work ethic is an important factor for success for both the organisation and the individuals.
It provides solution for most of the workplace issues like low productivity, behavioural problems, talent crunch, diversity, misaligned expectations and high rate of employee turnover.
So, employees and employers should understand the different perspectives and reach a consensus on how to improve the work ethic of the organisation as a whole.
