Work ethic.
It’s one of those things that everyone talks about, but no one quite defines the same way.
Is it a personality trait? Something we inherit from our parents? A skill we pick up along the way? And—perhaps the biggest question—why do some people seem to have a crazy strong work ethic while others float through life doing the bare minimum?
I’ve always considered myself someone with a strong work ethic. I believe this because I genuinely enjoy working hard and feeling productive.
Maybe it’s because I grew up with a dad who was always working. I saw first-hand what dedication looked like, whether it was putting in long hours, solving problems, or just cracking on when things got tough.
But then again, I know plenty of people who had parents with that same ‘always-on’ approach and didn’t inherit it at all. On the flip side, I’ve met some of the hardest-working people who didn’t grow up around strong role models. So… what gives?
Let’s dig into it.
Is Work Ethic Something You’re Born With?
Some people would argue, yes!
There’s a psychological trait called conscientiousness, which basically means you’re naturally hardworking, organised, and reliable.
Studies show that some people are just wired to be more disciplined than others. If you were that kid who finished homework the day it was assigned, you probably score high on this. If you were the kid who ‘forgot’ their PE kit every week, maybe not so much.
But while personality plays a role, it’s not the full story. I mean, take the hospitality industry—one of the most fast-paced, unpredictable sectors out there.
You don’t survive in hospitality without some level of resilience and determination. Does that mean every chef, bartender, or hotel manager was born with a rock-solid work ethic?
Unlikely. They built it over time, through experience, necessity, and a bit of trial by fire (probably in a hot kitchen).
Or Do We Learn It?
This is where things get interesting. Work ethic is often shaped by our environment and experiences. Maybe you had parents who drilled the importance of hard work into you (or, in my case, showed it through action).
Maybe you had a first job with a boss who wouldn’t tolerate anything less than 100% effort.
Or maybe you just got sick of not being paid what you wanted and realised that working hard actually pays off (literally).
For many people in hospitality, work ethic is forged in the heat of experience.
Your first weekend shift in a busy restaurant? Brutal.
Your first Christmas working in a hotel? Chaos.
But if you stick it out, you develop a kind of grit—that ability to keep going when things get tough.
And let’s be honest, hospitality thrives on those with a strong work ethic. No one wants to work a double shift, but the ones with the best attitude will make it through without snapping at a customer.
So… Is Work Ethic Subjective?
100%. What one person calls ‘strong work ethic,’ another might call ‘workaholic tendencies.’
Some people think staying late at work is a sign of dedication, while others see it as poor time management.
Hospitality is notorious for its ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s idea of effort is the same.
And then there’s the cultural factor. In some countries, a 60-hour work week is normal. In others, anything over 35 hours is considered excessive.
In the UK, there’s been a shift in recent years—more people are prioritising work-life balance, and yet industries like hospitality still demand that extra effort.
With over 3.5 million people working in UK hospitality, there’s no single definition of work ethic—it depends on the job, the person, and, let’s be real, how much coffee they’ve had that day.
Work ethic is a mix of personality, upbringing, experience, and motivation.
Some people are naturally hardworking, while others develop it over time.
Some industries demand more than others, and some individuals thrive under pressure while others crumble.
What’s important is finding your own version of work ethic—the one that works for you.
Maybe it means showing up early and staying late.
Maybe it means being laser-focused for a set number of hours and then clocking off guilt-free.
Whatever it looks like, the key is to own it.
And if you’re in hospitality? A strong work ethic will take you further than you think—whether that’s climbing the career ladder or just surviving another Christmas service without losing your mind.
If you’re passionate about hospitality, business, or just enjoy a good behind-the-scenes look at the industry, follow me on socials to keep up with my journey. I share insights, experiences, and plenty of real talk about what it’s like to work in this fast-paced world. Let’s keep the conversation going!
