Since I started writing this blog many people have asked me why I use this word "ethos" in the context of "work". So here is the answer.
—Ethos forms the root of ethikos (ἠθικός), meaning "moral, showing moral character". To the Greeks ancient and modern, the meaning is simply "the state of being", the inner source, the soul, the mind, and the original essence, that shapes and forms a person or animal (from wikipedia).
Ethos, according to The Oxford English Dictionary, is defined as "the characteristic spirit, prevalent tone of sentiment, of a people or community. Originally the word has its roots in the Greek word 'etho' or "to be accustomed to.” It refers to accepted standards, rather than what is more modernly thought of as character unique to a certain individual. The word also means ‘'a habitual gathering place” - a place where one might gather often, the opportunity for developing communal or common values. These types of values are those, which are established in the meaning of ethos.
Thus I find the word appropriate in the work context. Why, because —work in our lives is all encompassing. It affects our economic, sociological, cultural, environmental, psychological, familial, physiological, emotional and spiritual lives and more. Thus understanding the concept of work and how to manage the administration of work systems requires an understanding of the words used, the theories, the issues, the principles – the context - the ethos! Our work livelihoods require us to be loyal/disloyal, committed/not committed, respectful/disrespectful, dedicated/not dedicated, motivated/not motivated and on and on. Every single human emotion! It almost touches our souls. Thus our Ethos! Thus the use of the word!
