In a brief interview with the New York Times, Microsoft CEO Steven A. Ballmer was asked this question: In all the speeches you’ve given, is there a favorite line or story or passage or quotation? His answer:

In February I was invited to share my business perspective on the economic downturn with House Democrats at their annual retreat. In that speech, I got to share something that my dad always told me growing up, which is a simple piece of advice that really shaped my approach to life and to business.

My dad worked for Ford for 30 years. When I was a kid, he’d say: “If you’re going to do a job, do a job. If you’re not going to do a job, don’t do a job.” What he meant was, if you really want to accomplish anything, you have to be committed, motivated, tenacious and smart about what you do. That’s really just the essence of the American work ethic, but it’s one of the most important things I ever learned. (emphasis added)

Will tenacity be the next buzzword concept in the business community, as leaders struggle to sustain momentum in a slowing economy? Or will it simply continue to capture an essential component of good management philosophy?