Work Ethic for Teens? Help! LO16166

Richard C. Holloway (learnshops@thresholds.com)
Mon, 08 Dec 1997 21:39:09 -0800

Replying to LO16161 --

Scott Ott wrote:

> On Wednesday (12/10/97) I'll be standing before 200 (American) ninth
> graders talking with them about "Work Ethic". I was asked to do this by a
> high school counselor who is addressing concerns of local businesses that
> their teen employees don't have whatever "work ethic" is. Basically, I
> think the complaints center around consistent attendance, attitude, sense
> of responsibility, being there on time, appropriate garb, & etc. I have
> no idea, yet, what I will say to these young people, so here is your
> opportunity to help me shape the future of America's youth...or just give
> me a couple of good outline points. [Perhaps if my own sense of work
> ethic were stronger, I would have already written my speech.]

Scott--I can't help being contrary, it's just my nature. In that spirit,
I would ask the two hundred to tell me (and each other and themselves)
what work ethic is, why it is, and answer basic questions about why it's
important.

I know that each and all of us have lots of mental models about what WE
think about work ethic. I propose that not one of those 200 people give a
damn about what we think. If your facility will allow it (and your
obligation to the counselor), give it a try!

Doc

-- 
"The familiar life horizon has been outgrown, the old concepts, ideals
and emotional patterns no longer fit, the time for the passing of a
threshold is at hand."  -Joseph Campbell

Richard C. "Doc" Holloway Your partner for workforce development Visit me at http://www.thresholds.com/community/learnshops/index.html Or e-mail me at <mailto:learnshops@thresholds.com> Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2361 Phone: 01 360 786 0925 Olympia, WA 98507 USA Fax: 01 360 709 4361

Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>