The ability to work hard has always been underappreciated and devalued by various elements in society. In our experience, it’s crystal clear that having a strong work ethic and positive attitude towards working hard is highly predictive of success. Below, you’ll find highlights of our conversations around how one might go about developing or leveling up their work ethic.
James D Johnson
My work ethic really comes from my parents. My father was in the Navy and grew up during the Depression, so showing up wasn’t optional. It was just what you did. He never called in sick and never missed work unless he was literally in the hospital. He always used to say, if there’s an opportunity to make money, why would I say no? Read More>>
Marcus Johnson
Well I actually got my work ethic from seeing my parents go to work everyday even sometimes they may didn’t feel like it but they never showed it. Read More>>
Thomas Pedersen
As a child I admired watching my father build and create furniture in his workshop which turned into masterpieces. Every aspect from design to finish product was his creative touch and made by hand. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up so this wasn’t a fancy/state of the art wood shop. Read More>>
Peter Burnett
My work ethic comes from my Jamaican heritage and the household I was raised in. I was immersed in an environment where hard work was modeled daily. My parents immigrated to this country from the island of Jamaica, having no local connections but the internal drive to make a better way for themselves and our family. Read More>>
Brenden Menefee
The same place most kids from the inner city of Detroit get it from: fear. The fear of going back to the life I once lived. The fear of disappointing myself—and the people who believed in me. The fear of not being as fortunate the second time around. Read More>>
Judy Lanfredi
My work ethic comes from my dad. He was a gentle soul who opened a small corner convenience store after returning from service in World War II. He used to tell me that in the early years there were days he made only a nickel—but he never gave up. Read More>>
Fernando Castillo
From mom and dad and also from many of the Chefs that I worked with in NY city Read More>>
Khayriddin Shamsiev
My work ethic comes from my family and how I was raised. I grew up around people who valued responsibility, consistency, and keeping their word. You did what you said you would do, and you took pride in doing it well. Building businesses in different countries strengthened that mindset. When people rely on you, there’s no room for shortcuts. Read More>>
Justin Drury
I’ve built multiple businesses from the ground up, everything from owning and operating record labels to creating a CPG food brand that I’ve sold into Whole Foods Market and other major retailers. I’ve never worked a traditional 9 to 5 or had normal corporate hours, so I had to create my own structure and momentum. Read More>>
Ashlynn Bauman
I believe my work ethic comes from many places, but a big part of it comes from growing up seeing what hard work truly looks like. My parents showed me that nothing in life is handed to you, and that lesson stuck. I’ve always been goal-driven and understand that nothing changes if you don’t put in the effort. Read More>>
Brittany Magnusson
Hello — it is a pleasure to be here. Thank you for having me. My work ethic is deeply rooted in the women who came before me and paved the way. I grew up watching my mother build something of her own, and my sister do the same. Entrepreneurship was modeled as an art form in itself; woven with courage, consistency, and self-trust. Read More>>
Sal Victoria
They say that parents are a child’s first teacher. Like most immigrants, my parents came to the US with the want for a better life and better opportunities. For as long as I can remember, my parents have always worked hard. Managing to provide food, clothing and a home for 7 kids. Read More>>
Rhuneisha Fields- Richardson
My work ethic was inherited long before it was learned. It comes directly from my parents and the family I was born into. I was raised in a deeply blue-collar household, though not in the way people often assume. For us, blue-collar wasn’t about income—it was about integrity, responsibility, and pride in doing things well. Read More>>
Ryan Bacchas
I have had many sources of where my work ethic came from primarily people. Every step of my journey I’ve been fortunate to always be around people I could watch and emulate to as well as experiences. The first is from my mother who raised me single and worked as LAUSD school teacher while doing so. Read More>>
Isabelle Lin
Surrounded by a group of talented artists, it really pushes me to work harder than average. I want to present the best work. Knowing that I have put my hard work into the projects, I learned to be proud, and that feeling makes me want to work harder every time. Read More>>
T’Keya Devine Alex
At 12 years old I decided I wanted to enter the workforce, for years I had a desk set up to my grandfather’s who is an engineer and would assist him in billing and small tasks so I always enjoyed working. I had a deep love for horses. Read More>>
Heidi Blacker
Growing up in Nebraska, we had a simple life and all worked to run the family business. We learned the secret of being content with the bare necessities and had a lot of time to travel which showed me the direct relation of living within your means and working to live instead of living to work. Read more>>
Gary Burgess
My work ethic comes from knowing nothing is handed to you. I watched people grind to turn nothing into something, and that taught me to stay motivated, stay consistent, and stay hungry. I take pride in outworking challenges and staying committed to the vision. Read More>>
Ángel García
I get my work ethic from my Mexican parents, who immigrated to this country in the 50’s and 60’s, respectively. My work ethic grew from not only the kinds of work they did (manual labor and office work), but from their diligence and determination to finish what they started and to complete their work to a higher standard. Read More>>
Sarah Kraeuter
My work ethic comes from being raised with strong values around accountability and respect, and it’s been shaped even more by my career in hospitality. I’ve learned that details matter, consistency matters, and the way you show up every day impacts both your team and the guest experience. Read More>>
GARIE CHAVEZ
It comes from my parents’ upbringing. I saw both my mom and dad work hard and seeing their attitudes toward work significantly shaped who I am today. Read More>>
Alexander & Chantal Gandia
Over the past thirty years, I have collaborated across diverse styles, visions, and aesthetics, thereby gaining valuable insights into effective practices and what genuinely holds significance. This knowledge has been acquired through the guidance of various mentors. Read More>>
Dr.gattem venkatesh
miniature art form Read More>>
April Brucker
I grew up in Bethel Park, a small town outside of Pittsburgh, with two parents who believed deeply in hard work. My father worked two jobs, seven days a week. My mom thought “too much leisure time” was practically a character flaw. Work wasn’t optional in our house—it was how you showed up in the world. Read More>>
Gage Blevins
Candidly I just have to say my work ethic comes from how I was raised. Read More>>
Brandon Larson
My work ethic comes from how I was raised. I’m deeply rooted in the idea of the American Dream. I grew up believing that if you work hard, stay disciplined, and don’t ever quit when things get tough, you can build something meaningful for yourself. As a kid growing up around a military lifestyle, this instilled structure, discipline, and accountability early on. That mindset has stayed with me. I’m always asking myself, what can I do today that will help better shape my tomorrow? Read More>>
Beth TwoStix
As a full-time, slow fashion fiber artist/knitwear designer I got my work ethic from my family each of whom worked multiple jobs and were hard workers. Being detail oriented has always been important. Mistakes have proven valuable in creating new designs as I sometimes prefer the “mistake” over the original. Read More>>
Maria Riboli
Without a doubt my father…he was a brilliant psychiatrist who loved his job and showed up every single day for his patients. He truly was there for them, he really cared about every single one of them…I saw him offering his services for free to people who couldn’t afford him…that is something that touched me and taught me a lot in life… Read More>>
Lindsey Williams
I’d like to think I got my work ethic from my grandparents. Growing up in the country and on a dairy farm taught me at a young age what hard work was all about. Read More>>
Dylan Banks
I was very fortunate to have both of my parents instill a hardworking ethos into my early development. I truly feel blessed that both my mother and father were my biggest supporters growing up, and always encouraged me to follow my passion and work tirelessly to bring it to the finish line. Read More>>
Laurie Buchanan
I grew up with extraordinary role models—my parents. Both of them worked hard, genuinely enjoyed their jobs, and showed up with unwavering consistency. When my dad retired after more than thirty years with his company, colleagues remarked that he had never (ever!) taken a sick day. Read More>>
Pallavi Bora
My work ethic comes from a mix of my upbringing and the environments I’ve worked in over the years.
I grew up seeing the value of consistency, responsibility, and doing things the right way even when no one is watching. Therefore, I approach work with ownership, discipline, and respect for people’s time and trust. Read More>>
FaT TrAk
My work ethic comes from the opportunity to leave behind music that people can enjoy long after I’m in Long gone in Heaven as well as to help spread the gospel.
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV Read More>>
