A Strong Work Ethic Can *Make* Your Career and Character—Here’s How to Develop It

My mother was relentless in instilling a strong work ethic in my family. Growing up, we didn’t have much. But we believed in self-reliance and getting things done, no matter what, to get the things we did have. Her value systems forever shaped my attitude and behaviors, teaching me to channel a wholehearted commitment to my actions.

Chrystal Ramos, a Headspace mental health coach and coach manager, defines a strong work ethic as the ability to set goals and stick to those objectives until they are achieved. According to Ramos, dedication, discipline, productivity, and flexibility are essential qualities for success.

Dreaming about your desires is one thing; taking action to go after them is another. Here’s how and why you should develop a strong work ethic.

Characteristics of a Strong Work Ethic

Jeremy Dela Rosa, executive advisor for founders and spiritual life coach, notes possessing a strong work ethic can help you show up to work with increased focus, courage, and problem-solving.

A work ethic is made up of many qualities that contribute to your success and effectiveness in the workplace. Dela Rosa shares some characteristics below:

Reliability and Integrity

“Follow through on your commitments to build trust. When others trust you, it cultivates a willingness to give you their time, attention, energy, and ideas,” Dela Rosa says. Examples include meeting your deadlines, following through on your projects, and being on time. “More importantly, when you can trust yourself – your confidence rises, fear loses its hold on you, and making decisions becomes easier.”

Flexibility

Dela Rosa points out that society is undergoing rapid shifts, affecting virtually every job on the market today. Adaptability is key to navigating these changes: “Set yourself up for success by accepting that things never remain static, be willing to let go of old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve you and the team, and constantly experiment with new ideas. By letting go of your personal preferences and comfort zone, you will find new perspectives, clarity, and creative solutions with greater ease.”

Humility and Ownership

You won’t know everything and you’ll make mistakes. That’s OK. “Recognize that this is not a reflection of your inherent worth, but rather an opportunity to learn, improve, and take accountability where you can do better and try new angles. Doing so dramatically improves your working relationship with others and builds loyalty with your customers.”

Collaboration

“We live in a world of immense complexity, with many layers of systems constantly interacting with each other – economic, technological, social, legal, or environmental,” Dela Rosa says. “Your ability to support and work with others is an absolute necessity. Without it, you can’t be a team player and tackle challenges with others. This requires clear communication, reciprocity, integrity, and a genuine interest in the well-being of others.”

Perseverance

“It may seem easier to give up sometimes, for it often takes multiple tries to get things right,” Dela Rosa explains. “Whether it be in life, business, or relationships – the greatest rewards are hidden behind the discomfort. Having the grit and resilience to overcome adversity is a superpower, letting you ascend to unimaginable heights.”

Benefits of Developing a Strong Work Ethic

Developing a strong work ethic is rewarding as you can see your tangible results and it enhances your professional reputation. As your reputation builds, you prove you can take responsibility for your outcomes, sharpening your ability to thrive in dynamic work settings.

“There are few things more satisfying than seeing your creations completed, shining with a high quality that only you could produce at your best,” Dela Rosa continues. “Whether it be a happy customer, an increase in sales, a more efficient process, or a more beautiful product – having a strong work ethic enables you to consistently deliver, and deliver well.”

“When you deliver consistently, people start to notice. They trust in your capabilities, they respect your input, they gravitate towards your energy, and they become your biggest supporters,” he says. “Your efforts can open up opportunities for a salary increase, promotion, partnership, or a dream job.”

How to Develop a Strong Work Ethic

If you don’t have a strong work ethic, it’s easy to feel demotivated, underperform, and turn in sloppy work at your job.

Ramos says, “A person can develop a strong work ethic by finding out their ‘why’ and ‘what?’.  Why are you here?  What do you want to accomplish?  What do you ultimately hope to achieve?” Engaging in a contemplative dialogue with yourself to identify these motivations and then defining the core principles are pivotal steps to establish pillars in how you approach work.

Dela Rosa shares tips he uses in his coaching practice to guide new founders, entrepreneurs, and members of organizations through this process.

• Set a vision for who you are and what you stand for: “Understand who you truly are and what you value most. Is it integrity, consistency, quality, speed, pragmatism, creativity, compassion? Envision yourself operating at your absolute best and what that looks and feels like. Then show up each day and make the choices that represent that ideal self.”
• Practice self-discipline: “Believing in something and acting on it are two different things. Each day, commit to small achievable actions and activities that adhere to your goals and principles. Over time, this consistent behavior will turn into habits and routines and yield compounding returns.”
• Set boundaries: He recommends being firm around distractions such as social media, email, and nonessential meetings. Learn to say no when necessary and commit to following through on your true priorities to get your tasks done.
• Surround yourself with motivated people. “Individuals naturally conform to their environment, and that includes other people. Surround yourself with peers and colleagues who share similar values and work ethics. Their positive influence and feedback can help motivate and inspire you to stay focused and committed to your own goals.”

Work Ethic Skills for Success

A 2022 study1 found job satisfaction is determined by the concept of “realizing a perfect image of oneself,” which is less about viewing your job as a forced obligation and more about seeing it as a space to refine and master your skills.

As you accomplish goals with cognitive effort, your brain releases dopamine,2 flooding your body with satisfaction. So, whether it’s doing a good job flipping burgers or project managing, doing those tasks with intrinsic motivation pulls the same reward chemical levers in your brain.

Among Gen Z, there’s a notable embrace of “quiet quitting,” which rejects the idea that work must be the center of your life. At its best, its values can enforce strong boundaries for work/life balance, reclaim your time, and find meaning in your work since you’re making time in life for your happiness.

What are some work ethic skills for success? For starters, Dela Rosa suggests being curious about your job which will incentivize you to seek out new knowledge and acquire new skills. He explains that conscientiousness, paying attention to details, and striving for diligence play a big role in your daily efforts.

“The greatest problem solvers are proactive, self-driven, forward-thinking, and solutions-focused,” he says. “By taking initiative, anticipating future needs, and creating solutions before being asked, you lead the way in preventing delays, minimizing disruptions, and accelerating progress. These are key elements to improving work ethic.”

Examples of a Strong Work Ethic

Let’s explore how a strong work ethic can show up in different professions. In education, it might be a science teacher who passionately conducts engaging experiments in class to excite students. In healthcare, it looks like a nurse who goes above and beyond to provide compassionate care to their patients. In entrepreneurship, it may be demonstrated by a founder tirelessly dedicated to their vision, working around the clock to achieve their goals.

According to Ramos, here are some other pillars you can add to your work ethic to help you succeed further:

• Advocating for yourself: This helps you take control of your career, how you interact with others, and the projects you’re taking on.
• Prioritizing and being intentional about planning your work-life: Manage your time and energy so you can be thoughtful about caring for yourself while juggling work commitments.
• Educating yourself as a subject matter expert: By staying updated with continuous learnings, you can learn new perspectives and also network with other individuals in your field.
• Asking for feedback: This feedback helps you identify blind spots, understand how others perceive your work, and grow professionally.
• Seeking out mentorship: A mentor can look out for your career path, provide opportunities for growth, and offer support and guidance.

Most importantly, a strong work ethic benefits the team. Dela Rosa says, “When I recollect the best people I’ve worked with, I always remember the ones who were reliable. They showed up with a smile on their face, followed through, and owned their mistakes. Not only did I feel safe and confident they were on my team, but it was an absolute joy to be in their presence and collaborate.”

The Downside to a Strong Work Ethic

Although having a strong work ethic can help you get ahead with your job, it can have detrimental effects on your personal life and mental health when taken too far. Dela Rosa notes a strong work ethic can sometimes translate into excessive self-criticism, workaholism, and perfectionism if one strives for flawless execution. To avoid this pitfall, he recommends practicing self-compassion, setting realistic goals, and celebrating your achievements–no matter how small.

“Working long hours and neglecting personal needs can result in burnout, which impacts mental and physical health,” he says. To prevent burnout, he advises his clients to delegate tasks and focus on their health, hobbies, loved ones, and restorative activities such as meditation, exercise, or reading.

Too much focus on your work ethic may lead to excessive performance and criticizing people who aren’t able to match your pace. Doing this can disconnect you from your empathy and emotions as you focus more on doing than being. “Judging others based on their work habits can create tension and undermine team cohesion,” Dela Rosa says. “Focus on your own progress and appreciate diversity in working styles. It fosters a supportive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.”