A good work ethic requires more than duct tape and rubber bands.

 

Recently a friend shared with me his ongoing problems with an underperformer on the team he manages. In order to meet deadlines, instead of working more diligently, the guy was turning in shoddy, sub-par, work. It was clear to this manager that the guy didn’t have the kind of work ethic it took to work hard or long enough to produce better results.

 

As he related to me, he was going to have to define “enough” and “good quality” to his underperforming direct report. Apparently, no one, including the previous manager, had ever done that. All this guy knew, as he told his manager when handing in assigned tasks, was “I did the work. Isn’t that enough?”

 

This reminded me of the time another friend related how they’d had to make do with limited resources in a lesser-developed country during wartime. Fortunate to even own a refrigerator, they fixed it any way they could when needed, including using duct tape and a rubber band to hold the door closed. It worked, but it was neither high quality nor enough. Thankfully, they recognized that for what it was—a temporary fix—and did a better, more permanent, repair as soon as possible.

 

So, then, how do we define “enough”, and “high (enough) quality”?

 

  • At least meets expectations and hopefully exceeds them—more and better than asked for.
  • Durable, long-lasting—not just a quick fix; something people can count on to work for a very long time.
  • Done right, the best-known possible way, the first time—something someone won’t have to re-do.
  • Not lacking in any way.

 

How do we achieve that work ethic that produces worthy results?

 

W orth it in our minds and hearts— when we consider the work worthy of our focused attention and effort, we’ll achieve worthy work. “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” Prov. 14:23

O bjective— we need a good reason to do the work—a “for the sake of…” that goes beyond meeting the minimum requirement to stay out of trouble. For example,

“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” Prov. 12:11

R ight attitude and motive—giving it our best so others get the best—the greatest benefit for the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This honors God, which makes work a form of worship. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Col. 3:17

K aizen—a Japanese term meaning continuously seeking to improve our skill, efficiency, and effectiveness. In other words, not settling for what we’re already able to do, but having a growth mindset to keep getting better at whatever we do and could do if we learn it. Have as our goal growth in both character and competence, such as written of David– “David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” Ps. 78:72

 

Then, “wrap” these in:

  • Diligence—Not stopping until we’re sure we’ve done all we can do.
  • Perseverance—not giving up when we encounter obstacles; pressing in and pressing on to overcome any obstacle or setback.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Cor. 15:58

 

Hard? Definitely. In fact, we can’t do all this without knowing who our ultimate Boss is. At some point, demotivation, discouragement, and fatigue will overcome us when the work seems too hard, too meaningless, and/or whoever’s asking for it not worth giving our best for. But when we do it for the Lord, He’ll give us the purpose, power, and hope to work worthy.

 

That’s why–“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Col. 3:23-24

 

It also helps knowing that “…it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Phil. 2:13

 

Along with this, we have the Lord, our ultimate Boss Himself, setting the example for working worthy: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Heb. 12:2-3

 

The next time our boss, a team leader, a family member, or a friend, asks us to do something, let’s give them something more permanent and effective than duct tape and rubber bands.