Why Pride and Care in Your Work Matters: The 'Energising Cycle' of Professionalism

Think about the cleanest, most pleasant public restroom you’ve ever used. What was your reaction? Most likely, you felt a little surprise, a lot of relief, and perhaps even a sense of gratitude for the people who maintain it.

Now, consider the stark opposite: a dirty, neglected facility. The feeling is immediate disgust, frustration, and a quick blame directed at the person whose job it is to clean it.

Draining Cycle and Energising Cycle

This common scenario perfectly illustrates the difference between what I call the "Energising Cycle" and the "Draining Cycle" of work—and the essential role that professionalism, defined by Pride and Care, plays in steering the cycle.

The Draining Cycle: A Chore Without Care

In many places, roles like public sanitation are often underappreciated, leading some to choose the work out of necessity rather than as a desired career path. This sets the Draining Cycle in motion:

1. Low Pride, Minimal Effort: A worker with no joy or personal stake in their role focuses solely on minimal compliance. They only do what the checklist requires, ticking boxes without considering the user’s experience.

   
   

2. Poor Results, User Frustration: The toilets don't stay clean for long. Users see the mess, feel ignored and disrespected, and complain.

   
   

3. Accusation, Deeper Dislike: Users accuse or look down on the cleaner, which only makes the cleaner dislike their job more and reinforces their low effort.

   
   

In this cycle, the job is merely a task to be endured, lacking both the worker’s pride and the care for the end-user.

The Energising Cycle: The Synergy of Pride and Care (Ikigai)

Contrast this with the remarkable example of professionals like Haruko Niitsu , the Environmental Meister at Haneda Airport in Japan (named the World’s Cleanest Airport for nine years running). Their approach is rooted in finding Ikigai—a reason for being—in their daily work, driven by a synergy of Pride and Care. This transforms the job and ignites the Energising Cycle:

1. High Pride + Deep Care: Haruko Niitsu once said she realised efficiency wasn't enough; her superior told her, "There isn't enough kindness in your cleaning." She then started putting her heart into it, prioritising the safety and comfort of the users first. This commitment to the user is the Care. She works with a smile because she takes bold responsibility and pride in delivering this high level of service.

   
   

2. Spotless Results, User Respect: Users encounter a consistently clean, beautiful space. They are happy and, more importantly, they feel respect for the person whose "love and pride" they can clearly see in the environment.

   
   

3. Respect Becomes Reward, Pride is Reinforced: The respect and appreciation from the public act as positive feedback. This reinforces the worker's Pride and validates their Care, motivating them to maintain their high standards.

   
   

In this cycle, the job is transformed from a chore into a vocation—a source of self-worth and genuine value for the public.

Is This Just a "Japan Thing"? The Universal Choice of Character

When I discussed this concept with my teenage daughter, she immediately pushed back.

"That's a Japan thing,"

she said, implying that this level of dedication is purely a result of a unique culture and doesn't apply to the rest of the world.

It's a fair challenge. If we only look at the cultural context, we may miss the universal truth behind the behavior.

Professionalism isn't just about culture; it's about character, expressed through Pride and Care.

The core lesson from Haneda—that cleaning requires "kindness" and "heart"—is a universal principle of service. You don't need a specific cultural background to choose to take pride in your work. We see the "Energising Cycle" wherever individuals choose to hold themselves to a higher standard, regardless of the job:

• The street vendor in Mexico City whose dedication to quality, hygiene, and genuine warmth (Care) makes their stand a local institution.

  
  

• The barista in New York who remembers the names and favourite drinks of their regulars (Care), elevating a routine transaction into a personal connection.

  
  

• The garbage collector in Australia who goes the extra mile, getting out of his truck to retrieve bins left behind gates, empty them, and then carefully return them.

  
  

These acts of professionalism prove that the choice to do your best is more an individual decision, rather than a cultural mandate. The Pride comes first, and the Care ensures the quality of the service; the culture—the feeling of respect and appreciation—follows.

Professionalism is Simply Doing it With Pride and Care

The key difference isn't the job title—it’s the professionalism of the person doing the work.

Professionalism isn't exclusive to doctors, lawyers, or engineers. It's not about the salary, the corner office, or the prestigious title. It is the commitment to do whatever task is in front of you with excellence, driven by personal pride and deep care for the person you serve.

When we approach our work with this combination, we create our own Energising Cycle. We discover a purpose—our own Ikigai—in the everyday. We elevate the quality of our output, we earn the respect of those we serve, and most importantly, we elevate our own sense of self-worth.

Ultimately, whether you're designing a skyscraper or simply sweeping a floor, do it with Pride and Care. Because that combination isn't just a benefit to your customer—it is the best gift you can give yourself.

Any world is up to our Mindset and Action.

Possible World.