The definition of “work ethic” has not changed much over the course of
the past 90 years. Work ethic is part of our history. A strong work
ethic is easily spotted. And while some people don’t have it, the good
news is it can be taught.
Some of us learn it by putting hay out
at 4:30 a.m. every morning in the cold at the age of 10. Some learn it
by saying, “I want a job and don’t care what it is as long as it is not
bailing hay in the 105-degree June heat of Texas.” Maybe it is a
combination of both. Either way, work ethic is not natural; sometimes,
it has to be drilled into us.
Many times when looking around
three to five different stores within a group of 10, it is apparent who
had to earn it and who had it given to them. Folks do not inherently set
out to do a bad job. I honestly believe that. However, folks come to
our little “parts world” and find that we do not have it as easy as they
think. That in turn translates to: “I took an $8-an-hour job and you
really expect all that of me?”
That is the attitude that sets
the winners and losers apart. Here’s a good question: “Do you really
think that is all you will ever make working for this company if you
prove your place?”
Part of the problem is that too often too
many are sitting around watching another person do what is “not my job;
it’s theirs!” The best example is when you have a long-term employee who
feels they’ve paid their dues and “deserves” the opportunity and the
new employee who feels they have to “earn” theirs.
Here you have two opposite ends of the stick. One has become comfortable and the other is striving to be
that
next store manager or get the pay raise they deserve. Again, “I took an
$8-an-hour-job and you really expect all that of me?”
Work Ethic
— the Gerald Version: Take the job at hand for what it is worth. You
took the job, do it to the best of your ability. If that is not
recognized, then point it out to whomever needs to know. Even when you
know you are doing your supervisor’s job for them, let it ride. The
truth will come out sooner or later.