Work Ethic
DEFINITION
Being goal oriented, dedicated and diligent
WHAT IS IT?
Possessing a strong work ethic means working diligently to fulfill our responsibilities and deliver results. It’s the belief that hard work is an obligation to our clients, a defining trait of our firm, and the best way to advance our practice.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT
When clients are evaluating the work a firm is doing or has done for them, work ethic is almost always part of the equation. Research suggests that in the long run, hard word outperforms raw intelligence. Hard work can reflect a hunger for knowledge and a passion for law, both of which are likely important to clients. Clients will notice and appreciate when you put diligent, even extra, effort into their case. By contrast, it is always apparent to the client who does not perform due diligence and fails to put forth the expected amount of effort.
Suggestions for Improvement
- Model Hard Work
To make hard work an inherent trait of your firm, be the one to lead the way. Other, lower-level attorneys are taking their cues from you. They observe when you arrive in the office, when you leave, how much time you spend at lunch, and how hard you work during the day. Meaningless chit-chat or complaining should be kept to a minimum. Get to work early, avoid procrastination, and practice discipline. - Hold High Standards
Second, commit to high standards. Good enough is rarely good enough. We must commit to excellence. Hard working people tend to stray more toward ‘perfectionism’ than they do toward ‘average;’ they are the over-prepared, over-dressed, over-informed person at the meeting. Whether the task is writing an email or researching a statute, hard-working people make sure they have done all they can. That means editing that email before it’s sent and looking up one more source related to the statute. - Be Persistent
Finally, there comes a time in many cases that we start to lose steam; momentum starts to wane. It may even be tempting to cut corners and take a few short cuts. But people who work hard maintain their standards of excellence until the end. They are known as people who get *stuff* done. That might mean staying after work until the task is completed or making that extra phone call to resolve a difficult situation. Hard working people insist upon finishing well, and are often the ones willing to put in time and effort above what is required.
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