For all intents and purposes, work ethic can refer to how you feel about your job, so it includes your attitude and behavior. It is also about how you do your job, and the responsibilities that come with your position or title. Ethics is how you communicate and interact with others as well as the level of respect you show others at work. Ethics is having key characteristics within you, such as humility, empathy, honesty, accountability, and integrity. It really is true that how you act on the job will reveal your work ethics. Your strength of character is easily shown when the going gets tough and if you are not living in this way, it will show up!
It is one thing to declare you have a strong work ethic, but it is another totally different thing to convince those around you that you really do have a strong work ethic. In fact, most leaders are not inclined to take your claims at face value; instead, they prefer that you convince them with actions and not just words.