“Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It’s off to work we go!" Like the words in the Disney cartoon melody, every day people merrily trek to a job they apparently enjoy. Are these people misguided social dwarfs out of synch with the rest of the workforce? Well, these people are for real – another “Urban Legend" bites the dust! Even though we often give lip-service to the “work ethic," it really does exist and it is stronger than one might expect. Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous 20 th Century architect, stated, “I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen."
The “work ethic" is personified by those who have found work that provides both a service to society and personal satisfaction. It is their passion – their life “calling." One’s calling can follow any career path - writer, accountant, missionary, teacher, auto mechanic, carpenter, cook, social worker, attorney, or brain surgeon. It takes commitment and hard work, but you enjoy it and it feels like the right fit for you. You may actually become so intensively involved and committed that your “calling" becomes “one" with the company or organization’s mission.
Encompassing centuries, this commitment and dedication to hard work has been exemplified in such societies as the Amish, Mennonites, Hutterites and the Shakers. The Shaker phrase attributed to Mother Ann Lee, the founder of the Shaker sect: "Put you hands to work, and your hearts to God," encourages a simple life of hard work and spirituality. We might also identify with Ben Franklin as another example who espoused his philosophy of avarice and strong work ethic.
How could this concept of a work ethic develop and endure in a society where the concept of “entitlement" now seems to be so prevalent? The roots begin with Max Weber (V ber), one of the leading founders of modern sociology, and his renowned work on modern social science, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. In the 1930s, after the book was translated into English, the U.S. workforce began its on-going love affair with the “Work Ethic" – a social trait that would become the backbone of American enterprise and world leadership.
The arduous work of capitalism, according to Weber, is closely associated with intrinsic Protestant religious beliefs and behavior. Only in the West has rationalization in science, law, and culture developed to the extent where political, technical, and economic conditions depend on highly trained government officials. He further states, “However, all the peculiarities of Western capitalism have derived their significance in the last analysis only from their association with the capitalistic organization of labor."
Historically, certain Protestant denominations had a strong influence on the members’ development of business acumen and the ethic of hard work. These Protestants developed a sense of economic rationalism that emphasized diligent and dedicated work. Each and every Sunday, Methodist and Presbyterian ministers extolled the virtues of the “Work Ethic" to their congregations through lengthy and tedious sermons.
According to Weber, the following traits characterize a strong work ethic :
FOCUS ON WORK – We know how precious our time is and that it is limited. We must have a passion and strive for excellence in our work. Work time should be used efficiently and wisely with a desire to make money as a fruit of our labor and not spend it irresponsibly.
UNPRETENTIOUS AND MODEST – We should act and dress appropriately – dress should not be flashy to attract attention or cause distraction to others.
HON HONEST AND ETHICAL - One should possess and exhibit strong ethical beliefs, and a moral code of behavior, i.e. The Ten Commandments. To do the "right thing" when no one is watching.
The power of a free labor force has made capitalism a very powerful force in our society. Riding high on the wave of post WWII patriotism and intense business competition, we became rightfully proud of our fast-growing economy and the image of hard working Americans. We take pride in who we were and what we produce as a nation. The greatest and most successful nation on earth! Although the original religious aspects eventually faded, the “Work Ethic" is firmly entrenched as a powerful and valued American social trait.
Unquestionably, we do not desire a workforce dominated by mindless “robots" even with a good work ethic. We need innovative thinkers and committed leaders that can guide us through the 21 st Century and beyond. It is essential that we continue to build a strong labor force committed to an indomitable “Work Ethic" – workers that are honest, ethical, and rational.
We also need leaders that will not be afraid to work and who will take the responsibly to guide new projects and develop employee potentials to exceed projected goals. We need people passionate about a mission. A good “Work Ethic" is essential to a strong economy, and a strong vibrant society.
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