--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lacking a profit motive, workers in the…" description: "\"Lacking a profit motive, workers in the government by and large have a different work ethic from those in private industry. When they could make one ca..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/476/ronald-kessler-13022_find_lacking-a-profit-motive-workers-in-the-g_2655017.jpg" --- # Lacking a profit motive, workers in the government by and… ![“Lacking a profit motive, workers in the government by and large have a different work ethic from those in private industry. When they could make one call, federal workers take a meeting. When they could find an answer on the Internet, they form a study committee. Instead of appointing one…” quote by Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/476/ronald-kessler-13022_find_lacking-a-profit-motive-workers-in-the-g_2655017.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/476/ronald-kessler-13022_find_lacking-a-profit-motive-workers-in-the-g_2655017.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/476/ronald-kessler-13022_find_lacking-a-profit-motive-workers-in-the-g_2655017.jpg) > “Lacking a profit motive, workers in the government by and large have a different work ethic from those in private industry. When they could make one call, federal workers take a meeting. When they could find an answer on the Internet, they form a study committee. Instead of appointing one supervisor, they appoint five.” [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Government workers often lack profit-driven incentives, leading to bureaucratic habits and slower decision‑making compared to private sector. **In simple terms:** Public employees may act less efficiently without profit motives. Key Takeaway Recognize incentive structures affect work behavior. Themes bureaucracy incentives public vs private work ethic efficiency Mood critical analytical Type observational analytical When to use this quote - policy analysis - management training - government reform - private sector comparison Key Concepts organizational behavior motivation public administration Questions to Reflect On - How could public agencies redesign incentives? - What role does mission play in efficiency? A Different Perspective Profit motive can be replaced by mission‑driven purpose, but may still lag in speed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Profit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work ethic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-ethic/) ## Related quotes > [Our message will be that we're going to make federal government buildings a model - an energy-efficient model - and also start matching grants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-boxer/our-message-will-be-that-we-re-going-to-make-federal-government/) [Barbara Boxer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-boxer/) > [“And that brings me to one last point. 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It is a good way to start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-larue/all-my-children-taught-me-a-great-work-ethic-you-work-so-hard-on-a/) [Eva LaRue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-larue/) > [If you're going to preach dedication, work ethic, teamwork, unselfishness, and being part of a team to accomplish a common goal, you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mullin/if-you-re-going-to-preach-dedication-work-ethic-teamwork/) [Chris Mullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mullin/) > [I don't think I've met anyone with a stronger work ethic than Ray Charles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/i-don-t-think-i-ve-met-anyone-with-a-stronger-work-ethic-than-ray/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. 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