Do you know the difference between "ethics" and "work-ethic?" I'm sure that in your head you know the difference but probably a little harder to put into words. So let me help you. Simply put, "ethics" are the internal gauge of what makes something right or wrong for a person. "Work-ethic" is the level of intensity that someone has for their job or whatever task they might be working on. That's a simplification but apt.
So, if someone were to solicit advice to help them improve work-ethic, would you be likely to offer some long diatribe on "ethics" in the workplace or would you offer some solutions to perhaps help make people more engaged in their work?
A question was asked on the LinkedIn business networking site recently that addressed "work-ethic." A Leadership Development Consultant, a Management Consultant, a Director of Franchise Sales and others didn't pay attention and gave long answers about how important "ethics" are in the workplace while offering not one word that addressed the question. The Consultants got it wrong: one who addresses "Leadership" and the other "Management."
Consultants are contracted by companies to help better their workplaces and are paid handsome funds to improve them. But, you can't help if you don't stop talking long enough to listen to the question. (Even after two other members offered clarification on the question - "work-ethic" not "ethics" - people still answered it wrong.)
They were sloppy. They gave opinion without reading the question. They assumed. Now, they look like an opinionated, loud-talking, look-how-smart-I-am, smarmy amateurs. And they did it in front of millions of readers.
There are more people talking than there are listening. You know that. You probably work with some. People don't think before they go off half-cocked, shooting off their mouths. Some of them call themselves Consultants and are too quick to offer answers to questions that they themselves don't fully understand.
People who willingly take on contracts that they are clearly underskilled for may have a good work-ethic but not good "ethics." If it's not your area of expertise, you can't offer expertise - just mediocrity. If it's not your area of expertise then, before you do damage to an organization, do the "ethical" thing: pass.
Oh, and try to understand the question before you start talking. You look much smarter when you do. Details.
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