Interpersonal, Resilient, Respectful …
PRICELESS!
Teaching the Qualities Employers
Want that are Hardest to Teach
Bob Orndorff – Penn State University
Careers Conference – January 25, 2010
Key to Professional Success at all Stages:
Heightened Self-Awareness
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•
•
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Choosing a career (interests, skills)
Getting a job (selling points)
Succeeding on the job (success factors)
Being an Effective Leader (3-culture study)
Self-Awareness & Management
• Shipper et al (2003): International Journal of
Organizational Analysis: More self-aware managers
rated as more effective managers in 3 cultures
(United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia)
• Key to All Success = Being realistic and honest
with who we are – strengths & weaknesses
• Watch this clip from our Seinfeld Friends as an
example of NOT being realistic or self-aware…
The 7 Success Factors
• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Teamwork
• Honesty & Integrity
• Strong Work Ethic
• Motivation/Initiative
• Managing Adversity
NACE Job Outlook Surveys, 2001 – 2010
5-Part Training Seminar
Activities & Demo’s along the way
1. Becoming Interpersonally Strong
2. Managing Interpersonal Adversity
3. Cultivating Teamwork
4. Building Character
5. Marketing the Soft Skills
5-Part Training Seminar
Activities & Demo’s along the way
1. Becoming Interpersonally Strong
2. Managing Interpersonal Adversity
3. Cultivating Teamwork
4. Building Character
5. Marketing the Soft Skills
The Importance of Interpersonal Skills
• 94% Training Executives confirm importance
• Top two Skills in NACE’s surveys
“Interpersonal Effectiveness”
… a simple definition:
“Treating people in a way that
makes them feel special or
appreciated.”
Interpersonal AFFECT
“They may not remember what you said or
what you did, but they’ll always
remember the way you made them feel.”
--Unknown
Special Treatment
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•
•
•
The little things matter
Chris’s Ice Tea & Tom the mortgage guy
Fleck’s Head Tilt and “REALLY?”
Steve Rothrock’s special hand-shake
Building Relationships
• What comes to mind as the most
important interpersonal quality in building
positive relationships?
• Why?
Interpersonal Foundation:
Building Blocks for Strong Relationships
• Read the environment
• Be sensitive to feelings of others
• Respect differences
• Confront tactfully
• Be genuine and consistent
• Actively Listen
ACTIVITY
Writing a Letter of
Recommendation
PENNSYLVANIA SYSTEM OF SCHOOL ASSESSMENT
Fall 2005
GRADE 6
WRITING PROMPT SHEET
PROMPT #2
You will have one class period (but no more than 60 minutes if your class is longer)
to plan, write and proofread your response, making any necessary corrections .
READ THE ENTIRE PROMPT CAREFULLY
A friend/peer has asked you to write a letter of
recommendation for the position of Director of Public
Relations. Write to persuade the CEO of the company to hire
your co–worker because of the interpersonal skills he
possesses.
As you write your paper, remember to:
- Clearly state your opinion about the topic
- Include specific facts, details, reasons, and/or examples to convince the city officials.
- Present your ideas in a clear and logical order, including and introduction, body and
conclusion
- Use a variety of words and well - constructed sentences to create tone and voice.
- Correct errors in capitalization, punctuation, sentence formation, spelling and usage.
Introduction
Scott – best man for the job – great interpersonal skills. He’s
conscientious, active listener, humble, great sense of humor.
T.S.
T.S.
T.S.
He’s conscientious
Active Listener
Humble and great
sense of humor
D (Prove it)
D
Time I broke my
leg
Asked about
parents’ divorce
D
Team captain, gets
A’s, never brags
D (Prove it)
D
Helped kids on
the bus
Always had time,
his issues aside
D (Prove it)
Named president
D
D
asked Jeremy to be VP
Follow – up
questions
Concussion from
football
C.S.
C.S.
C.S.
Understands
people’s feelings
Listens and makes
me laugh
Nothing bad said
about him
D
Laughs at himself
Conclusion
Scott – right man for the job – Good fit into your company and
the dept. of PR. Gets along with everyone.
To whom it may concern:
Being asked to write a letter for Scott Hess is a compliment that fills me with a great sense of pride. This
young man has been a classmate and friend of mine for the past 10 years, and we have shared many positive
experiences together. Because of Scott’s exemplary interpersonal skills, he has a special talent of bringing the best out
in people, and that is what he has done for me. I know he would bring the best out of any employee or client you have
for many reasons.
First and foremost, Scott is a very conscientious person who truly cares about people and their feelings.
Whenever I have had a problem in the past, Scott volunteered to take me to my appointments. In my junior year I
broke my leg skiing and couldn’t drive, so Scott volunteered to take me to every one of my doctor’s appointments after
school. The doctor’s office was completely in the other end of town, but he never complained. Another example of
Scott’s sensitivity is the time when students were “picking on” a shy student on the bus, and Scott intervened and
coaxed everyone stop. This leader started sitting beside the younger boy on a daily basis and the timid freshman was
never was hassled again. When Scott won the close student counsel election, President Hess asked his ex – opponent
(who was devastated by the tough loss) if she would like to work with him as vice – president to soften the blow. The
new V.P. and he work very well as a team. When it comes to knowing people and their feelings, Scott has a six – sense.
Because of Scott’s caring attitude, he wants to know and listen to the daily problems that people have and
does all of the correct things an active listener should do. As a result of his caring attitude, he asks people constantly
how they are, and he, unlike other peers of mine, actually sticks around for the answer. For example, when my parents
were going through their divorce, Scott could tell the times I was “down in the dumps”. He constantly pushed his
issues aside and would stop me in the halls to talk about my problem with me. I could always tell he was listening
because he would always ask follow – up questions and make statements that pertained to my difficult situation. He
would always make me feel better with a joke or a kind word after I was done pouring my emotions out to him.
The combination of his great sense humor and his unique humility makes Scott a wonderful person
without knowing it. He has the humble ability to laugh at himself without sounding or seeming insecure. One time he
received a concussion in a football game and he said that it was his fault. “ A dumb guy like me shouldn’t use his head
too much, especially for tackling 230 pound running backs,” he stated chuckling. His unique humor supported by his
humbleness, are a great one – two punch for Scott’s terrific personality. As a result of these two assets, I have never
heard one person say one bad comment about him.
Great companies need great people who have wonderful interpersonal skills like Scott Hess. He would be
a wonderful addition for any “arm” of a business, but I see him excelling in your company’s public relations
department because of the wonderful people skills he possesses.
Sincerely,
Rich Hunter
Let’s focus in on the most
underrated interpersonal skill:
• Actively Listen
• More important now than ever
• EXERCISE: 3 – 1 in middle
Evidence for Importance of Listening
• Haas and Arnold (1995) Listening plays a
central role in how coworkers assess one
another’s communication effectiveness
• Interruptions in the course of listening by
professionals had negative consequences for
how they were perceived and how much
information they obtained (Nyquist 1996,
McComb & Jablin, 1984)
Components of Good Listening
• Attending: Clearing mind, full commitment
(Ex: Emailing while listening)
• Patience: Waiting for speaker to finish
• Stay Focused on Talker, and DON’T BEGIN:
– Rehearsing: Your attention is on preparing your next
comment
– Identifying: You are busy thinking about your similar
experiences
• Non-verbal awareness: eye contact, face the
•
person, nodding
Active Listening: Contrary to Bud ad, paraphrasing
feelings and thoughts
– follow-up questions
ACTIVITY
Practice Active Listening
• Pair UP
• Take turns telling partner about your
favorite hobby or leisure activity
• Listener: Utilize the “Components of
Good Listening” slide (I’ll put it up on
the screen)
Components of Good Listening
• Attending: Clearing mind, full commitment
(Ex: Emailing while listening)
• Patience: Waiting for speaker to finish
• Stay Focused on Talker, and DON’T BEGIN:
– Rehearsing: Your attention is on preparing your next
comment
– Identifying: You are busy thinking about your similar
experiences
• Non-verbal awareness: eye contact, face the
•
person, nodding
Active Listening: Contrary to Bud ad, paraphrasing
feelings and thoughts
– follow-up questions
Big Group Discussion
• When you were the talker: What did it
feel like to be actively listened to?
• When you were the listener: What did
it feel like to actively listen?
• Does listening help build positive
interpersonal relationships?
• How can we get students to become
better listeners?
5-Part Training Seminar
Activities & Demo’s along the way
1. Becoming Interpersonally Strong
2. Managing Interpersonal Adversity
3. Cultivating Teamwork
4. Building Character
5. Marketing the Soft Skills
Relevant Research
• Your Personality can get you fired
more than job performance
• Fools Vs. Jerks
• Leadership – Nice Guys Finish First
•The Problem PITA
–Pain In The Ass
•The Good PITA
–Professionals Increasing Their Awareness
•The PITA Metaphor = Brings levity
•You can adjust the language to be
more appropriate for kids/teens
–Use the words that describe each PITA
The 7 Types of PITAs
in the Workplace
• Closed off and defensive
• Not open to criticism; Deflects negative feedback
• Doesn’t own deficit areas; insecure
–Has difficulty accepting weaknesses in staff reviews
• Blames others during conflicts; not their fault
• Famous Sealed PITAs
– Dr. Lilith Sternin-Crane (Cheers)
– Angela Martin (The Office)
– Marie Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)
• The Sealed PITA Theme Song: Know any?
• Self-absorbed; full of himself
• Attention hungry; always in the limelight
• Aggressively Self-promoting
• Boastful and conceited
• Famous Overstuffed PITAs
–Alex P. Keaton (Family Ties)
–Dr. Frasier Crane (Cheers/Frasier)
–Donald Trump (The Apprentice)
• The Overstuffed PITA Theme Song: Know any?
• Disorganized
• Doesn’t attend to Detail; Not precise
• Thoughts and ideas are all over the place
–Unclear and not concise in explaining things
• Doesn’t follow through
• Famous Sloppy PITAs
–Oscar Madison (The Odd Couple)
–Randolph Dupree (You, Me, and Dupree)
–Del Griffith (Planes, Trains and Automobiles)
• The Sloppy PITA Theme Song: Know any?
• Negative and Cynical; mean-spirited
• Growls at the world; Grouchy
• Cuts down ideas & bad-mouths people
• Sees the glass half-empty; Pessimistic
• Famous Crusty PITAs
–Archie Bunker (All in the Family)
–Al Bundy (Married with Children)
–Roseanne Conner (Roseanne)
• The Crusty PITA Theme Song: Know any?
• Whiny, constantly complaining
• Needy, High Maintenance
–Needs to process unpleasant occurrences
• Afraid of confronting issues head-on
• Needs a lot of reassurance
• Famous Soggy PITAs
–George Costanza (Seinfeld)
–Ally McBeal (Ally McBeal)
–Ross Geller (Friends)
• The Soggy PITA Theme Song: Know any?
• Picky and particular; perfectionist
• Stubborn – digs in deep and holds ground
• Inflexible and rigid; tight
• Not willing to compromise
• Famous Rigid PITAs
–Sally Albright (When Harry Met Sally)
–Felix Ungar (The Odd Couple)
–Monica Gellar (Friends)
• The Rigid PITA Theme Song: Know any?
• Spoiled; got everything handed to him
• Entitled; deserves everything now
• Self-centered; ego-centric
• Oblivious to how others see him
• Famous Royal PITAs
–Charlie Harper (Two and a Half Men)
–Sharpay Evans (High School Musical)
–Ferris Bueller (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)
• The Royal PITA Theme Song: Know any?
A combination of two or more
types of PITAs
EXAMPLE: Crusty-Rigid PITA
Now that you’ve learned about
the different types of PITAS …
We’re now going to move into
ways of dealing with adversity
in the workplace
Revise Work Scenario to Apply
more to Students
• We’ll go through this case study as it were for
•
•
•
you as adults in the workplace, but …
Could make this a school activity rather than a
work/professional development activity
Discussion questions would be tailored to a
student audience
Again, you could easily take out any
inappropriate language
Breakout Discussion Questions
• What makes Albert such a PITA to work with?
• What are some coping strategies to work more effectively
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•
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with a Crusty PITA?
You’re now the supervisor of this Crusty PITA: How would
you coach the PITA in your work scenario to be less Crusty?
From the other 6 types of PITAs (refer to handout), which
PITA is most difficult for YOU to work with? Why?
What PITA tendency do YOU have that has the potential for
hurting a team? (the good PITA!)
– What have you done, or what can you do to keep it in
check?
– At least one volunteer per group
So how can we Cope with PITAs?
• We’d need another whole session to
discuss the coping strategies for each type
of PITA … because you need to deal with
each type of PITA differently
• There are detailed coping strategies in our
book
Here are some general Tips
for coping with PITAs
• Rise above it … it’s not about you, it’s about them;
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Don’t get defensive (ex. Car pulls out)
Be respectful and kind; use honey, not vinegar;
two wrongs don’t make a right
Be willing to compromise: lose a battle once in a
while to win the war
Address the PITAs directly without putting them on
the defensive; need to confront!
Consult with a trusted coworker or supervisor when
you’re not getting anywhere
So what can we do about our
PITA Tendencies?
• Own your PITA Tendencies … you’re halfway
•
•
•
there!
Identify work situations and/or people that tend to
bring these tendencies out
Determine ways to keep your PITA tendencies in
check
Make concrete adjustments
– EXAMPLE: 3 Overstuffed PITAs at a Q & A
session
Closing Remarks
• Don’t write any of your colleagues off
– They’re human beings and worth the effort
• There are good things that come from
every type of PITA … even the Crusty
(refreshing)
– Ex. Chicken Debris
• Appreciate and Respect Differences
among your coworkers … we’re all so
different …
ACTIVITY
Assessing Interpersonal Skills
and Ability to Manage Adversity
Through Peer Evaluation
PEER FEEDBACK
Reflect on your peer’s interpersonal skills and ability to manage adversity (constructive criticism).
1.
“What is one aspect you like about your writing?”
A. Did she/he use great interpersonal skills to answer the question? Which specific skills did he/she use?
B. Were they humble when they talked about what they liked about his/her writing. (Humility)
C. Did your peer use eye contact while speaking with you? (Communication + listening skills)
D. Was your peer’s answer clearly stated? (communication skills)
2.
“One aspect of your writing you need to improve would be ____________________”
A. How would you say this in a tactful way? (Tact + Diplomacy)
B. How did your peer “handle” this constructive criticism? (Open mindedness)
C. While she/he was talking how many times did you catch yourself drifting? (Active listening)
D. Did you reel yourself back into the conversation (active listener)
E. Did you use follow – up questions or comments to prove to your peer that you were listening? (active
listener)
F. How did your peer show that she was listening to you? (Active listener)
G. Did you end positively? (Handshake and a smile)
5-Part Training Seminar
Activities & Demo’s along the way
1. Becoming Interpersonally Strong
2. Managing Interpersonal Adversity
3. Cultivating Teamwork
4. Building Character
5. Marketing the Soft Skills
Qualities of a “Team Player”
• DISCUSS and SHARE Qualities
• Believes in the common goals of the
team or school
• Works effectively together with other
team members
• Is unselfish
• Subordinates his or her own part or
self interests for the team
How to Become a Team Player
• Use your interpersonal skills
• Value the differences among teammates
(styles, skills, etc.)
– Diversity makes teams stronger!
– Basketball Team example
• Respect your coworkers and address
issues/concerns directly
– Bad Example: email tattling
• Managing conflicts well is the ultimate
team player …
Managing Conflicts
• Have the courage to confront
• Know WHERE & WHEN to Confront
– DISCUSSION on where & when
• Know HOW to confront
– DISCUSSION on how
• The effects of hitting someone below
the belt can last a very long time …
– The Fence
TEAMWORK
EXERCISE
Teamwork Exercise
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I need 11 Volunteers
Assign 1 “Grid Master” (GM)
Audience = Teamwork Observers (TO)
All remaining 10 Team Players must figure out the
chosen path and move from one side of the grid
to the other – one at a time … WITHOUT
TALKING
GM will “Whistle” you when you step on a square
that’s NOT on the path
TO’s will watch for and record both positive and
negative teamwork characteristics among Team
Players
Discussion
Teamwork Exercise
• Highlights from Team Players
– Describe what it was like
– What did you do well as a team?
– What did you do not so well?
• Highlights from Team Observers
– Positive Teamwork observations
– Not so positive Teamwork observations
– What roles did various Team Players play? Who played
what roles?
– Other observations from TO’s?
• Main take-aways or themes from Teamwork
Exercise?
ACTIVITY
Evaluating Student’s Teamwork
(Individual Student Evaluation)
TEAMWORK CHECKLIST
1. The student is an effective member of the team.
_____
2. The student waits for his turn to talk.
_____
3. The student uses eye contact while talking and listening to others.
_____
4. The student stays on task and always has the goal in mind.
_____
5. The student is tactful while communicating with others on the team. _____
TOTAL POINTS _____
30
5-Part Training Seminar
Activities & Demo’s along the way
1. Becoming Interpersonally Strong
2. Managing Interpersonal Adversity
3. Cultivating Teamwork
4. Building Character
5. Marketing the Soft Skills
The Impact of Character
• Career Educator for
20 Years
• Lightning Struck
5 Years ago …
• Character Has
Major Impact on
Career Success!!
The 7 Success Factors
• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Teamwork
• Honesty & Integrity
• Strong Work Ethic
• Motivation/Initiative
• Managing Adversity
NACE Job Outlook Surveys, 2001 – 2010
Character Enriches Learning
• Good character traits enable children to succeed in
the classroom
– Facing adversity (failing a test)
– Responsibility (reading the required chapters)
– Respect (enables positive relationships with teachers)
• A school that promotes character creates an
environment conducive to learning
– Safety first: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
• If afraid of getting hit by a bully after class or out at recess, math
class doesn’t really matter much
– Positive reinforcement and caring, on the other hand, will
empower students to learn
Character Enriches Quality of Life
• People of Character contribute to a more
caring and considerate community to live in.
• Character helps build strong relationships
with parents, friends, and significant others.
• People tend to be more content and happier
when exercise good character.
The Challenge
• We all agree that character has a strong
impact on one’s success in school, work and
life – I’m preaching to the choir, right?
• The challenge is building character in today’s
world with all of the opposing forces.
• So we first need to understand what we’re up
against – what are the OPPOSING FORCES to
building character?
• Only then can we strategize on how to
combat these forces and help our students
build character.
Opposing Forces
to Developing Character due to the Kind of
World We Live in Today!
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Role Models and Leaders
Changing Values in Mass Media
The Virtual World we “live” in
Overprotective “Helicopter” Parents
Opposing Force #1:
Role Models &
Leaders
It Starts from the Top!
Roger Clemens & Brian McNamee
Somebody’s Lying!
Opposing Force #2:
Changing Values in
Mass Media
The Impact of Video Games
• “95% of teenage boys and 67% of
girls play video games. The best
selling video game is Grand Theft
Auto, where players gain more
points by murdering cops and
beating prostitutes to death with
bats” (Jupiter Research, 2003)
Grand Theft Auto 3:
Coming to a Child Near You!
“GTA3 will be much more than just a pretty face,
and as usual if you're not interested in the missions
there will be laws to break, people to beat up,
grannies to mug, and vehicles by the hundred to
carjack. The living, breathing city theme remains,
and as in GTA2 you are just as likely to get
carjacked or beaten up as any of your hapless
victims are. Thanks to the third dimension though
the game will be a lot more in your face than the
previous two, where you sometimes felt quite
isolated from your little head and shoulders on the
ground below.”
25 To Life
Parents should be aware that 25 TO LIFE is set
in a violent world of drug dealers and crooked
cops. As criminals, players shoot scores of
police, and as police, players shoot scores of
criminals. The violence includes some gore and
plenty of blood. The game also features
swearing, references to drinking and drug use,
robbery, graffiti tagging, and in-game
advertising. Parents should also note that the
game is designed for online play, which can
expose players to creative streams of obscenity.
The Evolution of TV
• My Three Sons
• Leave it to Beaver
• Little House on the Prairie
• Brady Bunch
• Family Ties
• Married with Children
• Simpsons
• Family Guy
• The Modern Family
Music Today vs. 1950’s
• Time Magazine – Special Report:
“Being 13” (August 2005)
• #1 on Billboard’s Chart in 1953
–Percy Faith
• #1 on Billboard’s Chart in 2005
–50 Cent
Opposing Force #3:
The Virtual World we “Live” in Today
Internet Impact … In the News
• Employers Complain about communication skills
•
(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Feb 2005)
Researchers link use of Internet to social
isolation (Stanford Report, Feb 2005)
Opposing Force #4:
Helicopter Parents
Helicopter Parents … In the News
• “A Nation of Wimps”
•
(Psychology Today 2004)
Q: “We Really did have it
tougher … and better”
You Can’t Blame Parents for
Loving & Caring for their Kids
• But we as parents
need to let our kids
work through
adversity
• It’s easier said than
done – I know too
well!
The GOALS
What do we want to teach students?
What are the character goals?
The 3 Character Goals
• Bob’s operational definition
of “Character”
• “Do what’s right and be
good to all people in good
times and in bad”
• Breakdown the definition to
generate the 3 Goals
Goal #1: Do What’s Right
• Honesty & Integrity in Workforce
– #1 or #2 on Employers’ wish lists last 6 years
• Do what’s right when nobody’s
looking
• Be honest with yourself
– Q: Man in the Glass
Goal #2: Be good to ALL people
• Easy to be “good” to those you like
• Worst foot forward to loved ones
• Respect those different than you
– Appreciate Diversity (Mom Groto’s)
– Respect elders – where has it gone?
Goal #3: Be good to all people …
IN GOOD TIMES & IN BAD
• Adversity = Truest measure
•
•
of character
When the going gets tough …
the tough get going
Randy & Marcie Taylor
– Takes “Adversity” to
another level
– Drew Michael Taylor
Foundation
The STRATEGIES
What can we do to help our
students build this kind of
character?
What can we do to help our students
build this kind of character?
•Be a Character
Role Model!
•Actions speak
louder than words
•Who do you
Remember?
Examples of Character Modeling
• Community Service
– Then: Freeman’s & Charlie
– Now: Margarett & Sara
• Pick up Trash on Beach
• Managing Adversity
– Car Pulls out in front of you
– Kids are in the back seat
• Seeing good in others
•
•
rather than being a cynic
Owning up to mistakes
Overall tone of voice
Don’t be Helicopter Educators
Help Your Students Become Strong
• Challenge them when they point their finger
•
•
outward rather than inward
Teach them to own up to their mistakes
Call them out when they’re being spoiled
– My kids: Sppp…
– Zack and the Dollar Store
• Encourage them to work out their differences
•
directly with friends/fellow students
Don’t make everything a major moment … teach
them a sense of perspective
An Anti-Bullying School
• It’s time to take back the schools … Schools
need policies that favor and protect the
good kids.
• Schools can’t be afraid to stand up to the
bullies and their parents!
• Ask to see a copy of the policy and review it
thoroughly.
• Be active in demanding a stiffer, stronger
policy – both in design and execution.
Also Play your part in
inquiring about and helping to
build a “Characterized School”
FOLLOWING IS AN EXAMPLE OF
A CHARACTERIZED SCHOOL
A Characterized School
Pequea Valley Middle School
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Service projects – Get the feeling of giving back!
Alternative Education – make it positive; don’t quit on them
Peer mediation – e.g., 8th grader helping a 6th grader
A kid’s school – Pictures of all kids up on the walls
Team rooms – Not just home base – Teacher serves as counselor
Character Assemblies – Large group programs/events/speakers
Acts of kindness – Caught being good (profile shot on Web)
Incentive Programs – give fake $ bills when good; use for auction
A touchy place – kids touched by staff 8 times/day on shoulder
– “I want to be respected – not liked” = bull (nice leaders finish first)
Big Brave – Little Brave: H.S. student who went thru parents divorcing
helps middle school student with same situation
• Character Models everywhere – staff say hi, hand butts, positive
• Announcements matter – “have a great day, or not, the choice is yours”
• Great SAP Team – Federally funded; 25% PV staff; refer to a SAP-Trained
staff member (drug, alcohol abuse; etc.)
Character Camp Participation – have representation at regional camp
•
• Character Based Academic Planner
The Path to a “State” of Character
It all starts with YOU!
• You
• Your Kids/Students
• Your School
• Your Community
• Your Town
• Your State
The Character Camp Example
The Multiplier Effect … Train the Trainers
Encourage and Equip Character Leaders
Testimonials from Character Campers
Join forces as Parents to make real change
in your school and town communities!
"Never doubt that a small
group of thoughtful,
committed people can
change the world. Indeed,
it is the only thing that
ever has."
-- Margaret Mead
The RACE
• Rising each time you fall =
•
•
the heart of Character
Q: The RACE
Let’s do all we can to help
our kids get up and
win
their race!
ACTIVITY
Character Development Scale
• Answer each question twice
– Put a “+” next to the answer that best
describes you when you were a teen
– Circle the answer that best describes teens
today
• We’ll have a large-group discussion when
you’re done
Large Group Discussion
• What are the major differences
between teens today versus teens
yesterday?
• Which of the six Traits on the CDS are
most troubling regarding teens today?
• What can we do to work on this?
5-Part Training Seminar
Activities & Demo’s along the way
1. Becoming Interpersonally Strong
2. Managing Interpersonal Adversity
3. Cultivating Teamwork
4. Building Character
5. Marketing the Soft Skills
Marketing the Soft Skills
A Discussion
• How can we best help students to market
their soft skills?
• eportfolio (see Penn State example)
• Resume (see combination internal example)
• Cover Letters
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interviews – Incorporate EXAMPLES