Developing an effective work ethic is the foundation of professional success. Although excellence in ethics may not boost the bottom line of an organization directly, dedication to such principles pays for itself many times over, as I have found in my profession. In this article, I will discuss why I believe that a strong work ethic is critical to the success of any business—and why I think that a business that fails to inculcate its workforce with the right professional attitudes will eventually experience moral failure.

In any undertaking, accomplishment is built upon a firm foundation of dedicated industry. It solidifies the bedrock of trust borrowed by individuals from every commercial enterprise in which they are engaged. But more than that, owning a strong work ethic also means portraying a range of positive self-characteristics: integrity, reliability, professionalism, diligence, and excellence. In this article, I’m going to explore the fundamental constituents of a strong work ethic and propose a dozen or so strategies for cultivating these crucial qualities effectively.

Maintaining ethical principles: morals & values; what we hold to be true & real for us; leading by example; all of this makes up the foundation of upholding our personal integrity. Regardless of the circumstances or situations we find ourselves in, when we cling to our ethical principles and a sense of what is right, we maintain our integrity. The first step to determining if a situation poses an ethical issue is to be fully aware of our own personal and professional ethical principles. By understanding our own, we can begin to understand others’.

A strong work ethic is built on integrity, the fundamental quality of uprightness that underlies all that is right and good. That’s what enables us not just to do the right thing, but to do the right thing the right way. And when we’re talking about work—what we do day in and day out—it’s up to us to lead with our values and to manifest them in our actions and decisions. That’s not something you can mandate or legislate; it’s something that each of us is responsible for, and something that each of us can aspire to.

Create integrity. Ensure that your words and deeds match the values you hold and the principles you believe in—especially when it’s difficult to do so. Cultivate an atmosphere of honesty and transparency in both your personal and workplace interactions. Let others see that what’s on the inside matches what they might choose to see on the outside.

And, just as importantly: Help your teammates do the same. When you see forms of outsider deception at work in your team, make note of them in a private way, consider your course of action thoughtfully … then, when you’re ready, act.

Being professional means setting and exemplifying professional standards.

Being professional means upholding the accepted norms of a profession or workplace in terms of your behavior, appearance, and overall conduct. This means going above and beyond in more ways than one, always acting with seriousness and delivering work that speaks to the person you are and the capabilities you possess.

In order to be a professional, one must keep a positive attitude and demeanor at all times, even when the going gets tough. Dressing in a professional manner is important, but so is acting professionally. One must remember to be professional in all communications, whether in person or virtually. This applies not only to interactions with direct reports but also to those with peers and people at higher levels in the organization. Always be truthful, act with integrity, and do what you say you will do. And, of course, don’t forget to keep swearing at a minimum!

Being accountable means that you accept the responsibility for something. It means that you’ve acknowledged your part in it, and you will do your part to make it right, or at least better, next time. It’s also about what you’re willing to be held to account for. Being held to account is, in many ways, the same as being responsible. It’s about doing what you said you would do. But there are subtle differences between the two. In this module, we’ll talk about what it means to be accountable and show you how to live an accountable life both on and off-campus.

Being accountable means being willing to accept the full and unadulterated blame for whatever inevitably went wrong or badly enough to warrant the mention of your name in an invocation for urgent improvement. It means embracing all that you have done, haven’t done, or have failed to do without resorting to the traditional (alas, rarely effective) yet still enduring male tactic the theater-loving critic Frank Rich once summarized as “Duck and Cover.”

Creating an environment where everyone is responsible entails establishing clear goals and expectations for not just one’s self, but for all. Communicating this to one another is a major key. But let’s not just outline the path we take; let’s also declare our respect for the path laid out for us in no uncertain terms, by both ourselves and our leaders.

We also need to be just as clear about when we deviate from the path and why. If the path still gets you where you need to go, it’s just as viable. And if there’s a good reason to do it, okay, that makes sense. “If not, and in all other situations, the key for us is to use the path that America’s leaders before us have determined, and America’s leaders yet to be born will determine, as the path for us.

Commitment to Excellence is demonstrated when people dedicate themselves to individual projects. When plans are put in place to ensure the accomplishment of those projects, excellence can be achieved.

Being dedicated is the act of giving your best effort and the strive for excellence in all you do. It’s a refusal to accept poor work. It’s a passion for quality and a desire to push the boundaries of what was previously believed possible. It’s the work you do when you’re not working—when you’re running, swimming, or even sleeping. And it’s the persistence and determination it takes to keep going when you want to quit.

Dedication is a reflection of your character. It forms with you the moment you decide to venture into greatness. When you venture, do it to the highest standard. Indeed, don’t just meet this standard—try to surpass it. For in that moment of challenge, the victory you seize from the jaws of your supposedly unconquerable foe is the sweetest kind. Satisfaction in work and life isn’t something that just happens, and it certainly isn’t something that happens to people who only half-ass what they do. It takes real dedication.

Pushing Personal Excellence: Finding Motivation Within

Motivating yourself is being able to generate the inspiration to start and keep going. No one else can do this for you. In order to be successful at being self-motivating, what seems to work best for most people is to come up with an abundance of reasons why whatever it is that they want to do is very important to them.

Nurture self-motivation by recognizing your distinct orientations and dreams in life. Create a systematic schedule for your routine tasks and try to keep important events from dominating your day, so time remains for you to work on your own goals. This will provide you with a sense of control and keep you motivated. Try breaking down your larger goals into smaller, more manageable parts and accomplishing them under their own deadlines. Always make sure to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments along the way.

Bringing together the parts that make up work ethic.

Developing a strong sense of work ethic is mostly a matter of “show, don’t tell” when it comes to character attributes like integrity, professionalism, accountability, dedication, and self-motivation. You can’t get very far in any demanding or even moderately challenging task without these leadership qualities, and you needn’t look too far down the ladder to see why. Every superior work experience I can recall had at least one exemplar of each, which made me want to at least try to match them in some small way.

Ensure integrity by making sure that your values and principles are in line with your actions. Be professional by showing respect, reliability, and competence in all parts of your work. Assume accountability by owning your role and the results of your work. Model dedication by being committed to your work—too often there’s a fine line between work and life, but if you love what you do, you don’t mind where you cast your net. Do all this without being asked, and without expecting any reward other than personal satisfaction. Practice self-motivation by setting career goals, maintaining focus on those goals, and having a driving force that keeps pushing you to achieve those goals.

Integrating these principles and components effectively into your work ethic can help you achieve the success and fulfillment you’re after in your profession, build stronger relationships all around, and make some really meaningful and memorable contributions to both your organization and community. Embrace these seven principles of The Working Ethic and unlock your potential for real personal and professional excellence.