When I’m wearing my mentor hat, one of the questions I’m often asked is, “How do I ask for a raise?” I’ll let the person asking the question know that I have some good ideas on that subject. But I also tell them that determining how to ask for a raise depends mightily on whether or not they have earned a raise.
A surprisingly high percentage of people are puzzled by my response. Incredibly (at least to me) the concept of earning a raise actually hadn’t occurred to many of them. They wanted to ask for a raise because they needed a raise.
They had outspent their income and were now expecting their employer to fix that for them. As you might imagine, many of the people who asked me how to ask for a raise were disappointed with this entire conversation.
But not all.
Some asked what they could do to earn a raise. My immediate response was, “strengthen your work ethic.” It didn’t matter how good they thought their work ethic was; if they wanted to earn more, they would need to do more to get it. That’s a pretty basic concept, but it doesn’t need to be more complicated than that.
A strong work ethic isn’t just important when asking for a raise; it is crucial for personal, professional, and societal success. Here are the key reasons why.
1. Personal Development
Discipline and Responsibility: A strong work ethic fosters self-discipline, helping individuals stay committed to their goals and responsibilities.
Self-Respect: Achieving goals through hard work builds confidence and pride in one’s abilities.
Time Management: It encourages the effective use of time, balancing tasks, and reducing procrastination.
2. Professional Growth
Reliability: Employers value individuals who consistently meet deadlines and deliver quality work.
Career Advancement: Hardworking individuals are more likely to be recognized, promoted, and trusted with leadership roles.
Skill Development: Regular dedication to tasks helps sharpen skills and gain expertise.
3. Building Relationships
Trust: A strong work ethic makes one dependable in personal and professional relationships.
Teamwork: Hardworking individuals inspire and motivate colleagues, enhancing collaboration.
Reputation: A good work ethic builds a positive reputation, opening doors to new opportunities.
4. Contributing to Society
Economic Productivity: People with a strong work ethic drive innovation and efficiency, benefiting the economy.
Cultural Influence: They set an example for others, promoting values like perseverance and responsibility.
Community Well-Being: By contributing their skills and efforts, they help build stronger, more resilient communities.
5. Resilience and Adaptability
Handling Challenges: Hardworking individuals are better equipped to face and overcome obstacles.
Consistency: They maintain their efforts even in difficult times, ensuring steady progress.
Ultimately, a strong work ethic is a cornerstone for achieving goals, maintaining integrity, and contributing positively to the world around us. So our next post will focus on “the how” of building a strong work ethic. One that will carry you through the challenging times we all face once in a while.
It’ll be worth your time… I guarantee it. 🙂
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This is a tough one for me. I’ve worked for companies that secretly demanded a 50 to 60-hour work week which is unreasonable. Or even worse upper management had no idea how long something took to get done and thought you were not working hard enough. I eventually had to follow my own guideline that “no company has the right to ruin my health”. I agree with working hard and taking pride in what you do. That’s how I was raised.
I was fortunate to learn early in my career that success requires balance in my life. I will outwork anyone WHEN I’m working. That doesn’t mean I never stop working. I’ve never worked FOR a company, I’ve worked AT a company FOR myself and my family. That has made me a consistently better employee because I know who I’m working so hard for.