What about the Work Ethic?

Abstract

This is where the emotion is. It’s “workfare” versus “welfare.” “Emptying bed pans” versus “living the good life.” Logic won’t work. We believe what we want to believe.

People don’t hate work. It’s as natural as rest or play. They don’t have to be forced or threatened. If they commit themselves to mutual objectives, they’ll drive themselves more effectively than you can drive them.

—Robert Townsend, former President of Avis Corp., Up the Organization, 1970, reprint (Greenwich, CT: Fawcett Publications, Inc., December 12, 1981)