Reviving Work Ethic

About the Author

Eric Chester is a renowned consultant, speaker, and author who specializes in school-to-work transition. With extensive experience presenting to over 2 million youth at 1,500 high schools and colleges, Chester has also spoken to hundreds of leading companies and organizations. He is the author of four books, most recently Getting Them to Give a Damn, and has co-authored eight others. As the founder of the Bring Your "A" Game to Work youth training and certification program and president of Reviving Work Ethic, Inc., Chester is dedicated to instilling a strong work ethic in the modern workforce.

Main Idea

Reviving Work Ethic by Eric Chester is a comprehensive guide for leaders on how to end entitlement and restore pride in the emerging workforce. Chester argues that the decline in work ethic is a significant issue affecting both young and old workers in America. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on young employees, who are still moldable, and provides actionable strategies to instill a deep commitment to excellent work. By connecting with employees and modeling key components of work ethic, leaders can create a culture that promotes qualities like reliability, determination, perseverance, and integrity.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Rewinding the Game of Life
3. Coming to Terms with This Thing Called Work Ethic
4. Up and Over - The Leader's Challenge
5. What Happens When You're Not Watching
6. Positive Attitude
7. Reliability
8. Professionalism
9. Initiative
10. Respect
11. Integrity
12. Gratitude

Introduction

The decline of work ethic in America is a pressing issue that Eric Chester addresses head-on in his book, Reviving Work Ethic. Chester argues that the erosion of values like reliability, determination, perseverance, and integrity has significant ramifications for businesses and society as a whole. He emphasizes that instilling these values in the emerging workforce is crucial for the long-term success of organizations and the economy. Chester provides practical advice for leaders on how to connect with young employees and foster a culture that values hard work and commitment.

Rewinding the Game of Life

Chester starts by examining the current state of work ethic, noting that Western culture has lost sight of the virtues that once built the nation. The pursuit of happiness and the American Dream have led to unintended side effects, such as avarice and a lack of respect for hard work. Urbanization and technological advances have further eroded avenues for learning vital work concepts. Pop psychologists have pushed parents to focus on building self-esteem in children, creating generations of self-centered workers.

However, Chester sees potential in the emerging workforce, those aged 16 to 24, who are uniquely positioned to reverse this trend. This generation is confident, self-expressive, and open to change. To instill traditional work ethic values in this group will result in a lasting positive impact on the workforce and communities for decades.

Coming to Terms with This Thing Called Work Ethic

From a young age, children are taught values that transcend cultural, ethnic, gender, religious, and economic differences. These Sandbox Values include smiling and playing nice, being prompt, looking their best, doing their best, obeying the rules, telling the truth, and saying please and thank you. These values align closely with what employers seek in their employees: positive attitude, reliability, professionalism, initiative, respect, integrity, and gratitude.

Chester introduces a new definition of work ethic: "Work ethic is knowing what to do and doing it." He emphasizes that instilling the seven core values into the hearts and minds of the emerging workforce is key to keeping companies and the country stable and prosperous. Leaders must accept this responsibility and create environments that promote these values.