10/25/2015 Part 3 Successful Interventions How can we help youth adapt to the workplace culture?

10/25/2015 Stephen Covey, author of “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”: “Seek first to UNDERSTAND, Then to be UNDERSTOOD.”

10/25/2015 Cognitive psychologists call this:

10/25/2015 You’re an All-Star defensive safety on your high school football team. TACKLE HIM ! TACKLE HIM!! TACKLE HIM!!!

10/25/2015 The basketball coach approaches you and says, “I need you on my team!” TACKLE HIM!

10/25/2015 Players learn to “CODE-SWITCH” from the rules of football to basketball. Youth must learn to“ CODE-SWITCH,” trading the rules and behaviors of home life for the those of work.

10/25/2015 Strategy 1 COGNITIVE COACHING Indirectly teach workplace attitudes and skills by coaching students through problems.

10/25/2015 Thomas found a job in maintenance at a major hotel chain… “Why can’t I wear a nose ring? Why do I have to cover my ink? What does that have to do with cutting the grass?”

10/25/2015 Seek first to understand: Then to be understood: “So the way YOU saw it, it shouldn’t matter how you look, as long as you do your job and no one complains?” “And at home, you’re right. How you look is your business. But let’s look at it from the hotel’s point of view. A lot of the guests there are old-fashioned…”

10/25/2015 Lori got a job as a checker in a supermarket... “I’m a checker, not a janitor. He should get a janitor to do stuff like that. Why do I always have to do what HE says?”

10/25/2015 Seek first to understand: Then to be understood: “So from your perspective: ___________________________ ____________________________ “And at home _______________ But at work: _________________ ____________________________

10/25/2015 Seek first to understand: Then to be understood: “So from your perspective, he can ask, but just being your boss doesn’t give him the right to TELL you anything.” “And at home, you’d be right. But at work, a boss DOES have the right to assign tasks, and you DO have to listen or you’re insubordinate…””

10/25/2015 Strategy 2 COGNITIVE INSTRUCTION Directly teach workplace attitudes and soft skills by providing classroom-based instruction.

10/25/2015 Young workers need Soft Skills: Self-Awareness & Self-Control Expressing a Complaint Dealing with Criticism Logical Problem Solving

10/25/2015 What skills could Thomas use? Empathy Expressing Concerns What skills could Lori use? Following Directions Accepting Feedback

10/25/2015 Steps of Listening Let ’ s brainstorm 4-5 steps of listening 1. LOOK AT THE PERSON 2. BE QUIET 3. THINK ABOUT WHAT IS BEING SAID 4. NOD OR SAY “YES” 5. ASK for INFORMATION

10/25/2015 “Beginning to Work It Out” Soft skills pre-employment program for youth and young adults at risk of drop-out, underemployment, incarceration, etc.

10/25/2015 Youth have a natural tendency to use their PERSONAL beliefs and social experiences when judging the appropriateness of their WORKPLACE behavior. KEY POINT #3

10/25/2015 “Cognitive Coaching” helps them develop new INSIGHTS into employers’ unspoken expectations. “Cognitive Skills Instruction” helps them develop new SKILLS to better fit into the workforce. KEY POINT #3

10/25/2015 THANK YOU! Dr. Steve Parese For more information about this content, or to attend a soft skills training of trainers, visit: WorkinItOut.com