Reviving Work Ethic: A Leader's Guide to Ending Entitlement and Restoring Pride in the Emerging Workforce

by Eric Chester

For frustrated managers and leaders, a guide to instilling a strong work ethic in the modern workforce. Work ethic in America is fast declining, plaguing young and old alike. But in Reviving Work Ethic , Eric Chester shows that you do best to focus on your young employees--those whose habits and ideals can still be influenced. He presents an incisive look at the root of the entitlement mentality that afflicts many in the emerging workforce and shows readers the specific actions they can take to give their employees a deep commitment to performing excellent work. And his advice is crucial to a healthy bottom too often, talented-but-difficult-to-understand younger workers stand between your company and its profits. If business owners, managers, and executives are not connecting with them and modeling the key components of work ethic, employees are likely not connecting effectively with customers--leaving all kinds of money on the table. Reviving Work Ethic is the culmination of years of research as well as presentations to over two million youth. Chester's experience shows in his confident analysis of the seven components of work ethic and in his proven strategies for handing them down to young employees.

Genres: Business

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

No one has a better understanding of the emerging workforce than Eric Chester. He is the premier expert on school-to-work transition and developing the core work ethic of teens and young adults. As an in-the-trenches professional, Eric has personally addressed more than two million high school and college students, authored nine books for teens, and has kept dialed-in to the mindset of this burgeoning generation.

Described by his audiences as “riveting,” “mesmerizing,” “electrifying,” Eric’s speaking style is compelling, thought provoking, and—most importantly—behavior-altering. He connects easily with his audiences through humor and anecdotes that he customizes for each client.

Having addressed more than 2000 audiences from a plethora of industries over the past 20 years, Eric’s Reviving Work Ethic programs are fluid, teeming with information and strategies, and impeccably aligned with innovative multimedia technology that visually reinforces tools, concepts and solutions. Whether your event requires a 60- to 90-minute keynote, a half-day workshop, or a full-day seminar, Eric will fully engage your group. They will, in turn, walk away highly motivated to implement his actionable ideas in their organizations to develop work ethic.

Reviews

[Rachael Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this book through an online personal development group I am in called 12books. I went back to read the review I wrote immediately after finishing this book and realized just how short I fell on describing the book. Since reading the book I have found myself in a few deep conversations with people regarding the problem with our younger generations and their “What is in it for me” work ethic. I didn’t realize just how much of the book I had absorbed until I began referencing it and feeling like I had the knowledge and some pretty great examples to back up my thoughts. I agree and understand just what the author means in regards to simply showing up has never been grounds for a promotion at work, however it does certainly feel that it happens more than one would like to think.

I have since recommended this book to a few people who are now reading it. We do need to lift people up and over to the quadrants that will lead them to success that is earned and achieved only through hard work and dedication to their position. Like the author states, we need to relate to the circumstances and life situations within this generation and be able to explain why this is important so that they are able to understand the concept. I think that leaders in all fields and their employees should take the time to read this book and absorb the content within it.

[Charles Rene · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book overgeneralizes an entire generation of the workforce, claiming that they aren't excited to work because they feel entitled, they are lazy, and they are unprepared for the working world. The author takes real world examples out of context without figuring out first hand the reason behind each person's attitude or action. As a young person I am a little offended by his characterization of my generation.

The main grievances he has against young people's attitudes are either so specific that they only apply to a handful of people or they are issues that span every generation. So kids don't want to work, who the hell does? That has nothing to do with people my age being ungrateful or entitled. A great percentage of people of every age go into work each day and do the bare minimum just to get their paycheck and complain about it the whole time. How is this a new and unique problem for the emerging work force?

In addition, how can the author believe that people my age should be grateful for being given a job when he doesn't even work a normal 40-hour work week? He's a freelance consultant that sets his own hours and picks which clients to take on. How does he have any relevant experience to pull from in regards to how difficult a "normal" job is? Where does he get the authority to dole out such advice and criticism?

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as the monthly selection for 12 Books which is a business book club. The book addresses a common concern among employers and that is "How do we instill work ethic in the emerging generation?". The author's approach is that employers cannot rely on parents or schools to accomplish this task as they have created in general an entitlement attitude in past few generations. It is up to employers to take the time and make the effort if they want a valued workforce. The author provides a definition of work ethic and then discusses the seven markers that employers need to address in order to be successful. I found the correlation to universal sandbox values to be most interesting. I recommend that you read this book if you are fustrated in trying to successfully employ the emerging generations. It is well written, to the point and provides probing questions that you can use at the end of each chapter.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book begins with a nice examination of society's opinions on work and how that view has changed over time, what work ethic is in simple terms, and presents seven traits necessary for good work ethic.  This break down was wonderful and I keep the list of work ethic markers on my office wall now.  After this point the book starts to take a bit of a dive. It goes on to look at each of the characteristics necessary for good work ethic in their own chapters.  Unfortunately, this part is filled with unhelpful complaints about millenials, speculations as to why young people lack these qualities, a small yet valuable peppering of what these traits look like in the work place, and then some average to downright bad advice on how to build these traits in your employees. The advice that really stood out to me as bad was on trying to create positive attitudes by influencing your employees' entertainment choices with questions such as 'what movie would you take a date to?' or 'what song would you listen to right after your girlfriend breaks up with you?' That will earn you an HR report, not a happy employee. 

[Namrata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well simplified the work ethic. Must read.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful read. The author's voice is so clear and personable. I really felt like I was sitting in an audience hearing Eric teach me.

As someone who could be identified as a part of the emerging workforce I enjoyed this book from both sides of the coin. The book is designed to both identify the specific areas where new workers need to be mentored and coached and the best methodologies to do so.

The premise is built upon the idea that the emerging workforce has not had the same education in terms of values that the workforce leadership primarily had. Teaching those values in a way that would be understand by that new labor force is the aim of the material.

I also like how the author identified "emerging workforce." He suggests that the lack of work ethic (made up of those values) is apparent among all members of the new workforce regardless of age. The book however specifically addresses the newest generation because they are the most mold-able in making a change.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. There was a part about cheating that convinced me that even the little things that we don't consider to be cheating is cheating. When you give free pizza to your friends and claim that that missing pizza was a part of a messed up order, that's cheating. A problem of integrity.

Or when you come in late because you think you deserve a break or some understanding because you had to finish a project for school. You don't realize that because you came late, another person has to stay late. As that person stays late they have to pay extra to the babysitter, and now that fellow coworker has less money to pay for rent. That's connected to reliability.

There are seven skills contained within the concept of work ethnic. They all overlap but they teach you how to be a better worker and leader.

The book is for the leader to encourage work ethic in their employees, but it also teaches those who want to get work ethic for themselves. I liked it.

[Patrick Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviving Work Ethic is a must-read for any manager who is responsible for those who are coworkers, associates, and all for which they are responsible. Eric Chester provides a very unique way of presenting information in order to understand, appreciate, educate and train subordinates which may help with all younger associates who may appear different in their views of what is entailed in being a part of the organization. To know and understand these people will help to improve the success of any type of business.

[Moshe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would not have known to define the term work ethic before reading the book. And after finishing it, I have more clear definition of what expectations employers have of me. It also contains some general leadership ideas such as narrating expectations and to be specific about them. I would recommend this book!

[Shane]

Informative.