Comments for The A Game - Win at Work Win at Life. Get Certified! http://theagame.com/blog Building work ethic in teens and young adults to launch sucessful careers Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:11:04 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 Comment on Four Props Everyone Trying to Teach Work Ethic Should Have by Brian Walter http://theagame.com/blog/?p=303&cpage=1#comment-231 Brian Walter Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:11:04 +0000 http://theagame.com/blog/?p=303#comment-231 Eric...really good post on props. I have occasionally presented to high school groups and having a good prop is indeed essential. I liked the candy bar suggestion. I may have to steal it sometime! Eric…really good post on props. I have occasionally presented to high school groups and having a good prop is indeed essential. I liked the candy bar suggestion. I may have to steal it sometime!

]]> Comment on Where is Work Ethic Being Discussed? by Eric Chester http://theagame.com/blog/?p=275&cpage=1#comment-70 Eric Chester Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:25:55 +0000 http://theagame.com/blog/?p=275#comment-70 Astute observations,T.J. Other than when celebrities are trying to give themselves credit for their own success, the term 'work ethic' is rarely discussed. Thanks for putting a statistical spotlight on this. Astute observations,T.J.
Other than when celebrities are trying to give themselves credit for their own success, the term ‘work ethic’ is rarely discussed. Thanks for putting a statistical spotlight on this.

]]> Comment on Defining Work Ethic by Timothy Wihera http://theagame.com/blog/?p=267&cpage=1#comment-58 Timothy Wihera Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:54:33 +0000 http://theagame.com/blog/?p=267#comment-58 I think that a definition based on the functions of something can often be valuable. E.G., A fork is what you use to pick up food that isn't goo. A spoon is what you use to pick up food that is goo. A knife is what you use to cut food. For work ethic, I'd say that work ethic is the quality that makes you get your butt out of bed and do the job correctly, no matter how much more fun it would be to do the job incorrectly or even do something else entirely. I think that a definition based on the functions of something can often be valuable. E.G., A fork is what you use to pick up food that isn’t goo. A spoon is what you use to pick up food that is goo. A knife is what you use to cut food.

For work ethic, I’d say that work ethic is the quality that makes you get your butt out of bed and do the job correctly, no matter how much more fun it would be to do the job incorrectly or even do something else entirely.

]]> Comment on Defining Work Ethic by Donna Jo Varner http://theagame.com/blog/?p=267&cpage=1#comment-53 Donna Jo Varner Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:20:57 +0000 http://theagame.com/blog/?p=267#comment-53 Work Ethic is the trait at the top of the list when hiring new employers or dealing with their current staff. Work Ethic as you describe it is being committed to something, every day. That commitment is natural if you are engaged in a career or activity for which you have passion. The rest is easy...you will develop skills to meet whatever is demanded of you. Work Ethic is the trait at the top of the list when hiring new employers or dealing with their current staff. Work Ethic as you describe it is being committed to something, every day. That commitment is natural if you are engaged in a career or activity for which you have passion. The rest is easy…you will develop skills to meet whatever is demanded of you.

]]> Comment on Defining Work Ethic by Jason http://theagame.com/blog/?p=267&cpage=1#comment-50 Jason Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:21:37 +0000 http://theagame.com/blog/?p=267#comment-50 I agree with your neo-positivistic rationale that work ethic is tied to one's capacity to produce, or one's maximum daily contribution. From the modernist western perspective, it's clear that we all have different capacities for contributing and that this fluctuates based on an incalculable number of variables on a daily basis... (i.e. my motivation, energy, willingness to accept the company's mission, passion, boredom, etc.). I would argue that this concept has likely been around for centuries, in fact, in many non-western traditions folks were simply judged on this exact equation (think of pyramid building for example). The difference has to do with one's choice to engage. The literature on employee engagement is as much a Gideon Knot as it is a "linage" (notice the word Linage has within it the word "line"). It is far from smooth and consistent, but rather an amalgam of several divergences and convergences of thought. Therefore, we really don't know exactly what employee engagement is (at least from a scientific standpoint). In the end, what we do know, is what you aptly point out... if you are committed to something, every day, you will very likely enjoy success. I suppose that's the A-game! I agree with your neo-positivistic rationale that work ethic is tied to one’s capacity to produce, or one’s maximum daily contribution. From the modernist western perspective, it’s clear that we all have different capacities for contributing and that this fluctuates based on an incalculable number of variables on a daily basis… (i.e. my motivation, energy, willingness to accept the company’s mission, passion, boredom, etc.). I would argue that this concept has likely been around for centuries, in fact, in many non-western traditions folks were simply judged on this exact equation (think of pyramid building for example). The difference has to do with one’s choice to engage. The literature on employee engagement is as much a Gideon Knot as it is a “linage” (notice the word Linage has within it the word “line”). It is far from smooth and consistent, but rather an amalgam of several divergences and convergences of thought. Therefore, we really don’t know exactly what employee engagement is (at least from a scientific standpoint).

In the end, what we do know, is what you aptly point out… if you are committed to something, every day, you will very likely enjoy success. I suppose that’s the A-game!

]]> Comment on A Rose by Any Other Name Would Be as Sweet, but You Should Still Call her “Juliet” by Thomas http://theagame.com/blog/?p=216&cpage=1#comment-43 Thomas Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:41:13 +0000 http://theagame.com/blog/?p=216#comment-43 I think this is great advice not only for employees but also for managers. I work in a very large organization and often find myself working for someone who I have never seen before and likely never will again. When a supervisor takes a couple minutes to get to know me before he starts delegating tasks I am much more interested in doing quality work for him than some stranger pointing a finger and saying ''hey you, take care of this...'' I think this is great advice not only for employees but also for managers. I work in a very large organization and often find myself working for someone who I have never seen before and likely never will again. When a supervisor takes a couple minutes to get to know me before he starts delegating tasks I am much more interested in doing quality work for him than some stranger pointing a finger and saying ”hey you, take care of this…”

]]> Comment on New Report Slams the Work Ethic of Millennials by ablain@TheMillenialLab http://theagame.com/blog/?p=247&cpage=1#comment-42 ablain@TheMillenialLab Tue, 06 Apr 2010 02:32:22 +0000 http://theagame.com/blog/?p=247#comment-42 Aren’t surveys fascinating? I find that depending on how and to whom you ask a question, you’re going to get the answer you want hear. It makes total sense that a young person’s view of work is going to be significantly less appealing to them than people in their 40’s & 50’s being asked the same question.How do you think we as Boomers would have answered that question in our 20’s? Somehow, I don’t think the generation that coined the phrase “sex, drugs & rock n’ roll” would have given work ethic high marks back in the day. Do you? I started hiring Millenials over 8 years ago and at first I thought they were alien life forms that had finally figured out how to live & work among us. I really did! One day I decided for the sake of sanity toturn my frustration into research and I began to REALLY observe them in their natural work environment. My frustration turned into amazement as I saw the potential they offer organizations. Of the many discoveries I made in my mini-lab, there are 3 that come to bear on this discussion. • Millenials work best when they feel a connection to their boss. You get to know them, they get to know you and you’re quirky habits & practices, the more they will apply themselves. They will do whatever is necessary to get the job done. But first – connect. Maybe that 22 year old assistant manager at the pizza place forgot to do that. • Speaking of connection, they are connected all the time. Those of us who are the brick & mortar types don’t really get that. The world of 9 to 5 has been our world for so long that it’s difficult to conceive of people doing work at 9 in the evening or 1 in the morning or on vacation or on the bus or wherever , whenever. Millenials apply things in ways that are unfamiliar to us. How ‘bout getting familiar with the unfamiliar for a change? • I think we as Boomers & Xers have a split personality when it comes to Millenials. As parents, we have structured our children’s lives, protected them and many times fought their battles. We have pushed them to want, expect and demand much from their careers & their employers. Yet, as employers we can’t understand what makes Millenials so entitled and demanding? Why don't they want to work? Ya think it has anything to do with the ideas we put in their heads early on? Hmmm? Aren’t surveys fascinating? I find that depending on how and to whom you ask a question, you’re going to get the answer you want hear. It makes total sense that a young person’s view of work is going to be significantly less appealing to them than people in their 40’s & 50’s being asked the same question.How do you think we as Boomers would have answered that question in our 20’s? Somehow, I don’t think the generation that coined the phrase “sex, drugs & rock n’ roll” would have given work ethic high marks back in the day. Do you?

I started hiring Millenials over 8 years ago and at first I thought they were alien life forms that had finally figured out how to live & work among us. I really did! One day I decided for the sake of sanity toturn my frustration into research and I began to REALLY observe them in their natural work environment. My frustration turned into amazement as I saw the potential they offer organizations. Of the many discoveries I made in my mini-lab, there are 3 that come to bear on this discussion.

• Millenials work best when they feel a connection to their boss. You get to know them, they get to know you and you’re quirky habits & practices, the more they will apply themselves. They will do whatever is necessary to get the job done. But first – connect. Maybe that 22 year old assistant manager at the pizza place forgot to do that.
• Speaking of connection, they are connected all the time. Those of us who are the brick & mortar types don’t really get that. The world of 9 to 5 has been our world for so long that it’s difficult to conceive of people doing work at 9 in the evening or 1 in the morning or on vacation or on the bus or wherever , whenever. Millenials apply things in ways that are unfamiliar to us. How ‘bout getting familiar with the unfamiliar for a change?
• I think we as Boomers & Xers have a split personality when it comes to Millenials. As parents, we have structured our children’s lives, protected them and many times fought their battles. We have pushed them to want, expect and demand much from their careers & their employers. Yet, as employers we can’t understand what makes Millenials so entitled and demanding? Why don’t they want to work? Ya think it has anything to do with the ideas we put in their heads early on? Hmmm?

]]> Comment on New Report Slams the Work Ethic of Millennials by Sam Horn http://theagame.com/blog/?p=247&cpage=1#comment-39 Sam Horn Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:26:42 +0000 http://theagame.com/blog/?p=247#comment-39 Thanks Eric for focusing this discussion about the supposedly "lazy" work ethic of Millennials where it belongs - on remedies. As the mother of two 20-somethings, I am a fortunate witness to what Millennials can and will do when given the opportunity. One of my sons, Tom, age 25, is living his dream, working as a certified Mission Controller for NASA at Houston's Johnson Space Center. The other, Andrew, started a non-profit, Dreams for Kids - DC, at age 23 and has recruited a team of unpaid Millennial interns who work pretty much 24/7 to provide outreach services to under-served kids in the Washington DC area. The light is on in both of their eyes and they both love their work. Which is all it takes for Millennials to care and to be committed to give 100%. Give them an opportunity to do work that matters and they'll thrill you with their resourcefulness. Give them some autonomy so they can run with their ideas and talents. There's nothing wrong with Millennials. Like everyone else; all they want is an opportunity to do meaningful work so they feel they're making a difference. Thanks Eric for focusing this discussion about the supposedly “lazy” work ethic of Millennials where it belongs – on remedies.

As the mother of two 20-somethings, I am a fortunate witness to what Millennials can and will do when given the opportunity.

One of my sons, Tom, age 25, is living his dream, working as a certified Mission Controller for NASA at Houston’s Johnson Space Center.

The other, Andrew, started a non-profit, Dreams for Kids – DC, at age 23 and has recruited a team of unpaid Millennial interns who work pretty much 24/7 to provide outreach services to under-served kids in the Washington DC area.

The light is on in both of their eyes and they both love their work.

Which is all it takes for Millennials to care and to be committed to give 100%.

Give them an opportunity to do work that matters and they’ll thrill you with their resourcefulness. Give them some autonomy so they can run with their ideas and talents.

There’s nothing wrong with Millennials. Like everyone else; all they want is an opportunity to do meaningful work so they feel they’re making a difference.

]]> Comment on A Rose by Any Other Name Would Be as Sweet, but You Should Still Call her “Juliet” by uberVU - social comments http://theagame.com/blog/?p=216&cpage=1#comment-33 uberVU - social comments Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:02:04 +0000 http://theagame.com/blog/?p=216#comment-33 <strong>Social comments and analytics for this post...</strong> This post was mentioned on Twitter by TheAGame: Learning customer's names is an important part of customer service http://ow.ly/1tEnL... Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by TheAGame: Learning customer’s names is an important part of customer service http://ow.ly/1tEnL…

]]> Comment on A Rose by Any Other Name Would Be as Sweet, but You Should Still Call her “Juliet” by Eric Chester http://theagame.com/blog/?p=216&cpage=1#comment-32 Eric Chester Fri, 02 Apr 2010 03:51:39 +0000 http://theagame.com/blog/?p=216#comment-32 My wife and I drive past three coffee shops to get to the one where the young crew members know us by name and remember our order without us having to tell them. In fact, they start toasting our bagels the moment they see our car pull into the parking lot. They remember our name, and we remember the tip jar on the counter. It works out well for everybody. My wife and I drive past three coffee shops to get to the one where the young crew members know us by name and remember our order without us having to tell them. In fact, they start toasting our bagels the moment they see our car pull into the parking lot.

They remember our name, and we remember the tip jar on the counter. It works out well for everybody.

]]>