On the QT Newsletter, It Pays to Lighten Up
December 2, 2008
WhoWouldYouChoose.pdf
Did you know? Levity-minded individuals: climb the corporate ladder faster, make more money than their peers, are more creative … and live long, full lives… In fact, the positive effects of a sense of humor on one’s career and a company’s bottom line have been extensively researched and reported in The Levity Effect: Why It Pays to Lighten Up. In today’s activity, you have an opportunity to test their premise. Have some fun with your students as you view and discuss the skills and abilities of these idiosyncratic employees at work in The Office of Dunder Mifflin in Scranton, PA.
Try This:
Ask students some questions about what skills they want in their co-workers.
Distribute and review the Who Would you Choose activity attached.
As a class, view each of these short video clips to get a quick impression of each of these characters:
- The affable: Jim Halpert. Produces numbers when it counts. Has a good sense of humor. (58 seconds)
- The dedicated: Dwight Schrute. Consistently a top performer. Takes his job seriously. Likes to be in charge. (32 seconds)
- The consistent: Stanley Hudson. Hard-working. Has a laid-back demeanor but little respect for authority. (18 seconds)
- The preppy: Andy Bernard. Has Ivy League credentials and a lot of confidence in himself. (Watch only first 1 minute and 8 seconds)
Give students time to discuss and explain to their groups who and why they would like to add to their team.
Bring the activity full circle by asking what the most and least important traits are for coworkers.
As the year draws to a close, we want to express our thanks for your support and encouragement. The On the QT series will resume in January 2009 with more soft skill activities for you to try. In the meantime, check our website, WBLConnections.com, for past editions of the QT, new online lessons for students, and a host of free resources.
Happy Holidays … the QT Team!