What Does Work Ethic Mean to You?

What Does Work Ethic Mean to You?

How do we define what it means to have work ethic? Everyone has their own opinion on what ethics mean to them, and the definition of the term encompasses so much that it’s difficult to pinpoint. But it can also be one of the most important topics when it comes to patient care.

In a recent discussion on LinkedIn, DMR posed the question, "What does work ethic mean to you?" and healthcare professionals came together to answer what work ethic means to them. Although the answers varied, below is a list of the underlying themes.

- Honesty, Integrity, and Accountability: The three words that define work ethic. But how do we define the words themselves? Employees should develop a definition based on their own personal values and the mission of the company or clinic, while putting optimal patient care above all else. Be honest and accountable for your actions, and always maintain integrity in the workplace.

- Cooperative Spirit: Having a strong work ethic means being a part of a team. As a team member, you should align your missions and professional values with that of the company, and you should maintain constructive work relationships with the other members to ensure positive outcomes.

- Commitment and Follow Through: Commitment to the clinic and to the patient means that you understand your responsibilities within the company structure. Being committed means following through until a resolution is reached instead of relying on others to finish a job you started.

- Build a Solid Reputation: Having solid professional ethics means that you belong to a company, and you work hard to ensure the company is recognized as an important part of the larger community as well as a trusted leader in the field. It’s important to maintain a positive reputation for yourself and for your place of employment.

What Can Industry and Team Leaders do to Promote Work Ethic?

- Lead by Example: Having a strong work ethic is the best way to encourage your team to follow by example. Be the honest and hard-working employee you’d like your employees to be.

- Positive and Effective Communication: Communicating effectively to encourage employees to utilize the proper processes, to motivate each other, and to achieve goals can make a major difference in the overall team attitude. Everything will run more smoothly if everyone is on the same level of understanding, and this can be achieved by properly communicating.

- Engage: Employees that are intellectually stimulated will work harder and become better at what they do. Engage employees in work-related discussions and decision making, offer education, and motivate them to seek outside opportunities for professional growth.

Although the answers vary about what work ethic means, through it all emerges a definition that can be put to use. In the healthcare industry, the main focus is treating patients and working toward optimal outcomes, and having a solid work ethic means actively caring about the safety and treatment of patients. Align your mission with that of the company, and work hard at everything you do to achieve your goals, as well as those of the clinic.


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