In the 1970s, not pulling your weight was frowned upon. I joined the Royal Navy in 1978 and served for nearly 30 years. Back then, effort, discipline, and purpose were part of the fabric of working life. Today, that sense of shared dignity has thinned. As leaders, we can help restore it.
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Treat work as identity, not just activity. Encourage people to take ownership. Pride follows responsibility. Let your team see that their work matters—to the mission, the customer, and each other.
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Raise expectations, not just morale. Challenge builds character. Don’t shy away from asking more—people often rise to the standard you set, not the one they’re used to.
- Honour effort, not just outcomes. Recognise consistency, reliability, and quiet graft. Results matter—but so does the road taken to achieve them.
The above leadership tip...
was sent in response to a question from a participant on our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme. Whether you're a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you, your team or your organisation can benefit, please contact us.
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