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For this activity, you will learn about four important actions of work ethic. These actions are Diligence, Dependability, Responsibility, and Accountability. You will learn the definition of each of these actions and practice applying and recognizing them in your own life. You will reflect on your own work ethic and which qualities and actions are most important to you.

Diligence: Careful and thorough work or effort

Dependability: The quality of being able to be relied on to do what somebody wants or need.

Responsibility: Being responsible for one’s decisions or actions and expected to explain them when asked

Accountability: Careful and thorough work or effort

**Definitions sourced from: Oxford’s English Dictionary

 

Conflict in the workplace is unavoidable. It is important to understand that conflict happens and each person needs to have a toolbox of strategies that can be used to solve it. Oftentimes, this causes people to utilize one or more of the four important actions.

How do you feel about your current ability to resolve conflicts, especially with people you are working with (job, school project, team, family, etc.)?

 

Take these actions to the workplace. In the boxes below, you will find four scenarios that need to be solved. In the space provided, write your solution to the conflict and which of the four actions (you can use more than one), would be used to solve it!

You and your friend were trying out for the same position on the Basketball team. You both made the team. You did not get the position you wanted, but your friend did. You don't want things to be awkward between you two, especially during practice. But you can't help but to feel a little hurt. How will you solve this conflict? (Use AT LEAST two of the four actions.)

Your teacher randomly assigns you into a group of 5 to complete a big project to finish your class Unit. Of the 5, it seems like you are the only one that is not friends outside of class. You also notice that they hardly even acknowledge your ideas. While you might not be their out-of-class friend, you have some great ideas that could really benefit your group. How will you solve this conflict? (Use AT LEAST two of the four actions.)

Your normal teacher is going through some big life changes and puts in a substitute teacher for a full two weeks. Almost immediately, the substitute teacher seems to be stricter towards you than towards any other student in class; you seem to be getting into trouble for things others are not getting into trouble for. You’re still not entirely sure if your substitute teacher is singling you out or if you are just imagining it. It is only Day 1 of 10 before your normal teacher comes back. How will you solve this conflict? (Use AT LEAST two of the four actions.)

You notice your classmate struggling with a class assignment. You decide to lend a helping hand and walk them through how to complete the assignment. They thank you and finish it based on your guidance. The next day, your classmate still seems to be struggling; this time he/she asks for your help. You happily help. This happens again and again until, one day, your classmate begins to take advantage of your help by having you personally do all the work for him/her. How will you solve this conflict? (Use AT LEAST two of the four actions.)

 

BONUS POINTS

Reflect on how you answered each of these scenarios, which of the four important actions did you use the most?

Now, reflect on who you are as a person, and a worker/teammate – which of the four qualities do you think you do really well? Write a “Self Shout-Out” explaining the quality you chose and why you feel like it is an action that you do well (or often). Be proud of the things that you do well!