In 2000, Ivy Tech of Indianapolis, IN conducted a survey of Indiana employers that revealed that both entry and experienced workers substantially lacked work ethics. This survey is one of many that continue to illustrate todays workers are not the same as earlier generations and the problem appears to be getting worse, not better.

Within todays workforce, there exists 4 unique generations Veterans or Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X and the Nexters. These four different generations are more heterogeneous than their counterparts of the mid 1900s not only by their ethic diversity, but their life experiences especially education.

A quick trip to the past may help illustrate how educational experiences might impact work ethics. In the 1930s through the 1960s, the percentages for academic grading scales in public and private schools varied between As and Cs, but the failing benchmark was usually at 75%. Since the 1970s to today over 30 years later, this benchmark has consistently eroded and is for many schools now at 60%. The lowering of this benchmark and other policies such as social promotion have communicated entirely different work beliefs, attitudes and standards to our emerging workforce. HINT: Everyone is not on the same page when it comes to work ethics.

The challenge is how to develop these incoming entry and experienced level workers to provide exceptional customer service while simultaneously improving their work ethic skills. Possibly, the first step is to properly define what work ethics means within your organization. For example by assigning teams in each department to define what work ethics means to them will help decision makers develop uniform standards for the entire organization. After the definition has been constructed, then these should be reviewed and then communicated with all employees as well as potential recruits.

In my 30 plus years of experience, I have yet to find any employee who comes to work knowingly trying to mess things up. In many cases, these employees don't know the expectations because a presumption exists that they should know what good work ethics are. By taking this first step to define work ethics throughout the organization, will help your business to not only deliver exceptional customer service, but will also create a world class organization.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Good Day. Thanks for visiting. I hope that you have enjoyed my articles. In 1999, I founded ADVANCED SYSTEMS because I saw that performance could and should be doubled in warp time. Individuals, small and large businesses could not afford expensive solutions that may or may not deliver improved results in 12 months.

From my corporate, small business and education experiences, I recognized the individuals must have opportunities for connecting their passion to their purpose to secure the desired performance results, but many lacked the necessary skills, strategies and tools.

With over 20 years in sales management and 10 years in education, I understand how to unite productivity with profitability by developing a proactive working culture. My previous experiences resulted in cost savings through one of the first implementations of a computer software in a wholesaler distributor to the creation of a vendor performance assessment.

Since facilitating over 500 sessions, developing and editing over 25 training programs and writing numerous articles focusing on performance improvement, I bring a results focused approach to my clients. Also, I am proud to be one of the first five nationally certified facilitators of America?s Rising Stars (a Student Leadership developmental curriculum).

My passion is to help others connect their passion to their purpose to double performance. As The small business coach in Chicago, my clients have easily doubled their performance. Since our greatest resource is our young people, I am now working with large urban schools to generate the same results.

Education Background

• Graduated with honors from Purdue University with a B.A. in Education
• Earned M.S. from Purdue University in Instructional Design and Curriculum
• Published in the national trade journal, The Supply House Times, and numerous national newsletters
• Developed seminars and training on diversity, communication, leadership, sales, effective trade show behavior, networking, knowledge management, goal setting and improved educational outcomes
• Co-authored M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capicities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement, to be available in 2006
• Working a another book focusing on performance in public education
• Speaker in a national bureau - Resource Associates Corporation