Watch the first few minutes of this TED Talk (please excuse his political commentary at the very start). Focus on the requirements of the job he discusses. This ties in to what Godin means when he tells us to be artists, to exert emotional labor, and to do remarkable work.
Then look at the job description I put on each of your tables. If you were applying for that job, what "soft skills" are vital for those positions? That is, if you were to apply for that job, how would you turn it into an art form? How would bring emotional labor to it? How would you turn it into a "remarkable" job? In other words - to connect (see, connect the dots, right?) to Godin's previous book, The Dip - how would you become "the best in the world" at this job?
Explain that in a brief response in the comments section. Be sure to include the job title that was at your table.
As my assigned job position is the Crisis Response Member, It's a little hard to humanize it. But, I would try to go above and beyond the requirements of the job. Maybe that would mean paying extra attention to any unknown conditions, or just talking to someone who's being transported and might be scared, but, overall, I would look for opportunities to make the people who I interact with's lives just a little better. Keep in mind that I'm not exactly good at those things, and with my luck I'd be more likely to deathly insult someone than actually improve their mood.
ReplyDeleteCrisis Response Team Member-
ReplyDeleteWhat I would bring would be a personable attitude. Engage the patient and attempt to take their mind off of the situation. Find out what they need and do my best to make sure that they get the best care that is possible.
If I was a member of a response team in charge of helping a hurt patient in a crisis, I would try to take their mind off of the crisis and make a connection with them. I would always be cheerful so the patient feels better. I would also talk to them, learning about them and their interests. I would tell some good jokes. Most importantly, I would call them to follow up on how they are doing and maybe even visit them in their recovery.
ReplyDeleteBeing a remarkable teacher of young toddlers, I'm going to need to be the most patient person ever, and never get mad at kids. I would try to make kids learn through little games that are fun that helps them learn. I would try to be energetic and fun so the kids like me.
ReplyDeleteTo become the best in the world at a compassionate home care center, I would need to know how to work with people. How do you work with people? You need to understand them and how they work. I could possibly bring in treats every now and then. I could share some personal stories with the people I help and listen to their stories. I would learn what makes the people happy, angry, sad, etc. Compassionate is a big word here, I would truly need to care about the people I am helping.
ReplyDeleteIf my job was a registered nurse, I wouldn’t just do the minimum requirements. I would try and make each person I take of feel special. While there are specific things nurses have to do, I would want to do as much as possible: make people smile, and feel like they aren’t in a medical setting, because who really likes going to the hospital? I would hope that if this is the job I’m doing, that I’d be excited about going to work everyday, and be able to have people leave the hospital or clinic or whatever and be thinking, “Wow, she really loves what she does.” Because if someone is passionate about something, they will do it well.
ReplyDelete6th Grade Elementary Teacher-
ReplyDeleteI would have patience, one of the most important virtues, that is necessary when working with children. I would be personal with my students and get to know them and their home life so I could help better their education. I would inform the teacher frequently about their children's grades and progress and meet with them regularly to get their insight as well. I would give a day where the students could pick the activities for that day, as long as it is educational. I believe giving them a chance to direct the class for a day will help them break the norm of jobs they will have. I will help them in their journey to become a linchpin.
Inform the parent frequently**
DeleteYou can be the smartest person in the world, but if you don't have any people skills it is irrelevant. It doesn't matter what job you have you can always do something that goes the extra mile and makes you a linchpin. I got the job as a someone in charge of home care. As a a person in charge of taking care of someone it is more than just doing the basics, you need to connect and truly care about the person. One way to go the extra mile in this job would be to call the person and check in on them even on the days off. Also giving your number to your patients to call at anytime is another way to go above and beyond. Another way to help your patients would be to allow them and help them do the things they still can. It is the worst feeling in the world to be completely helpless.
ReplyDeleteIf I was on the Compassionate Home Care team, I would try to become friends with all of my patients. They need to know that they aren't alone. I will try to entertain them as much as possible, and set aside some nights to just play cards or watch movies with them. I also will try to get their family members as involved as possible. The patients need their family there to help get through these hard times. I would just try to relate to them as best as possible, because if you act like you're only there because of the job, then you won't connect with the patient. Shower them with love. :)
ReplyDeleteMy job is a Propane Delivery Driver. How I would be a linchpin is by connecting with every single person I met. Especially the reoccurring customers. I would remember their names. I would find something that they were passionate about, and then talk to them about it, and engage them. I care about whatever they were passionate about.
ReplyDeleteIf I was a crisis response team member, I would try to help the patients stay calm and collected. I would make sure they knew what was going on, but also try to talk to them about other things to get there mind off of whatever the crisis is. I would try to gain the patients trust, because if they don't trust me, they probably won't remain calm. When they left in the ambulance, I would say goodbye and wish them luck.
ReplyDeletePropane Delivery Driver:
ReplyDeleteIf I had to do this job I would turn it into an art form by attempting to make other peoples days better than when I arrived to deliver their propane. I would improvise while working withe customers like the Jazz musician example in the video. I would also get to know each and every costumer on a more personal level rather than a working level where nothing more is said then what is necessary.
If I was a Handywoman, I would do my best to do the smallest and biggest things that needed to be done around the house and area. I would be genuinely nice and always have a smile on my face, and no task would be too big. I would let them know that this is what I was passionate about, that I like to make other people happy
ReplyDeleteAs a handy woman I would be extra kind to my customers. It may not seem like the most top notch job in the world, but I'll do what I can. Building relationships will get my name out to other people. If I can be kind, always have a smile on my face, and be empathetic towards them whenever it is necessary, I can be the best in the world at my job.
ReplyDelete6th Grade Elementary Teacher-
ReplyDeleteIf my job was to be a teacher, I would make sure that each one of the kids feels special. I would give every student the attention they need, something that I think is very important. Some kids need the attention at school because its the only time they get it. I would try to connect with every student in their own way, based on their personalities or their interests. I would also try to have patience with each kid. It can get overwhelming with a lot of kids talking to you or maybe even messing around. Patience is one thing that anyone who wants to become a teacher needs to have. I would make sure that I teach students the required material needed, but also make sure to have some fun once in awhile. What kid doesn't want to have fun in class? Most of all though, I would make sure that the kids can tell that I'm passionate about my job and that I would be someone that they could talk to if they ever have a problem. I think its important for kids to know that you care about them. This is what I would do if I were to become a 6th grade elementary teacher.
Registered Nurse
ReplyDeleteIf I were to ever become a RN I would be sure that I took care of others the way I would want to be cared for. As someone who has made many hospital trips, I know how easy it is to know the difference between a good nurse and an exceptional one. To be the best RN, you need to be passionate about people. It is so much more than just your job. You need to have good relationships with your patients. If you can make someone feel comfortable in the most uncomfortable of situations, you have done well. Being compassionate, caring, kind, are essential. Doing little things like getting a patient a blanket when they are waiting for the doctor, or helping a patient get the sticky pads off from testing machines before you run to another room even though they could just do it by themselves are the things that mean the most. Go above and beyond not just because you should but also because you genuinely care.
As a handyman (or woman I guess) I would do what I could to take every improvement I make to a house and turn it into part of the costumer's home. I would get to know costumers by name and always be available for them to call me if they had a question about something related to my line of work. I would make costumers feel like family and have them excited to have me come into their home and fix whatever needs fixing.
ReplyDeleteAs a full time 6th grade teacher, to be remarkable I would need to be creative yet have a great amount of patience. Working with kids is very different from working with adults and I would need to have these skills in order to be successful. Teaching them in new and fun ways will make it easier for them to grasp on and stay focused. So in order to do this I would try to have class be as fun and enjoyable as I could, along with giving them new information and the life skills 6th grade offers. Connecting with the students on a more personal level would also be very affective. Getting to know the students and be in contact with their parents would make teaching easier. It would end up meaning more in the end when I would get to see how far the kids have come with taking my class.
ReplyDeleteTo be a remarkable nurse for the patients, I would have to do everything I could to take their mind off of what was ailing them. Especially if they had a terminal illness and were going to die, one of the most important things I would have to do is connect with them on a level that takes their mind off of their current condition. Whatever they were interested in is what we would do or talk about, and it would be different for each patient. Another thing I would have to do to become remarkable is do everything thing I can to make their hospital stay feel anything like a hospital. They should feel as comfortable as possible. No one likes the hospital setting, so making them feel like their at home would be another way to have them consider me as a remarkable nurse
ReplyDelete6th Grade Elementary Teacher-
ReplyDeleteIf my job was to be a teacher, I would try to connect with each of the students. I would want them to feel welcome and like they are safe when they are around me. Some students have a pretty rough home life, and if I could at least make their school experience remarkable, then that would grant them a home away from home . . . somewhere where they are comfortable. I would also do my best to interact with each of them personally and get to know each of their personalities. If I can detect their strengths and weaknesses, then I would do my best to work with them towards becoming a brighter student. I would want my classroom to be fun, but also a place where students are excited to learn. I would keep the students engaged when I am teaching the curriculum so they won't get bored too easily. I would want my students to notice how much I care about each one of them and to see my passion through my job!
To be a teacher for toddlers I would have to get down to their level. I would have to realize that their thought process isn't the same as mine so I would need patience. I would need to be someone the kids can connect with and trust. I would be really cool so they would look forward to coming to class and not hate it. Teaching from the front of the room wouldn't work so I would have to really interact with them to keep their attention. Also, I would need to be a role model and act with courtesy to be an example on how to behave. I would reward them for doing good and guide, not get mad if they did something wrong. I would try and make my class one of their favorite spots to be.
ReplyDeleteA milkman was someone who would come by every week and deliver milk They would come by a families house and deliver a case of milk bottles, and each week, would deliver more milk and take back the empty case. It isn't much of an occupation anymore, though. With the supermarket age and having gallons or half gallons of milk available to us in cheap plastic cartons, and refrigerators, there is no need to get fresh milk every week. It's much more convenient for us to go to the store and grab milk for a few dollars than it is for a milkman to drop off 6 bottles of milk a week.
ReplyDelete