Lesson Plan
Navigating Professional Environments
Students will be able to identify and practice essential soft skills and professional etiquette necessary for success in a workplace environment.
Developing strong soft skills and understanding workplace etiquette are crucial for long-term career success. These skills are often not taught explicitly but are highly valued by employers and contribute to a positive professional image.
Audience
9th Grade Group
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussions, role-playing, and scenario analysis.
Materials
Workplace Wisdom Slide Deck, Keys to Workplace Success, Workplace Scenario Debates Discussion Guide, and Role-Playing Workplace Etiquette Activity Guide
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials, including the Workplace Wisdom Slide Deck, Workplace Scenario Debates Discussion Guide, and Role-Playing Workplace Etiquette Activity Guide.
* Ensure access to a projector or screen for the slide deck.
* Arrange seating for small group discussion and activity.
* Consider printing copies of the discussion guide for students to reference during the debate.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
10 minutes
- Begin with a quick icebreaker asking students to share one skill they think is important for getting a job.
* Introduce the lesson:
Slide Deck
Workplace Wisdom
What does it take to succeed in any job?
Welcome students and introduce the concept of 'Workplace Wisdom.' Ask them to think about what makes someone successful at a job, beyond just knowing how to do the work.
What Are Soft Skills?
- Personal qualities that help you interact well with others
- Essential for any job, no matter what you do
- Examples: communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability
Explain that 'soft skills' are personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. Give examples like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Why Do Soft Skills Matter?
- Employers look for them!
- They help you work better with colleagues and customers
- Essential for problem-solving and staying calm under pressure
- Lead to career growth and job satisfaction
Discuss why these skills are important. They help with getting hired, promotions, and overall job satisfaction. Connect it to real-life situations they might encounter.
Professional Etiquette 101
- The unwritten rules of behavior in the workplace
- Shows respect for your colleagues, clients, and company
- Makes a positive impression
- Examples: punctuality, appropriate dress, respectful communication
Introduce the idea of professional etiquette. Explain it's about respectful and appropriate behavior in a work setting. Give simple examples like being on time and dressing appropriately.
Communication: Your Superpower
- Verbal Communication: Clear, concise, respectful language
- Non-Verbal Communication: Body language, eye contact, active listening
- Active Listening: Really hearing and understanding others
- Avoid interrupting, gossiping, or negative talk
Focus on communication. Explain both verbal (what you say, how you say it) and non-verbal (body language, listening) aspects. Ask for student examples of good and bad communication they've seen.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
- Working effectively with others to achieve a common goal
- Being reliable and pulling your weight
- Respecting different ideas and opinions
- How can you be a good team player?
Explain teamwork and collaboration. Emphasize that most jobs involve working with others. Discuss contributing positively, sharing ideas, and being supportive.
Problem-Solving & Adaptability
- Problem-Solving: Identifying issues and finding solutions
- Adaptability: Being flexible and open to change
- The workplace is always changing – new tools, new tasks!
- How do these skills help you overcome challenges?
Explain problem-solving and adaptability. Give them a simple hypothetical workplace problem and ask how they might solve it. Discuss how being flexible is important.
Putting Skills into Practice: Debates
Now, let's discuss some real-world workplace situations.
We'll use the Workplace Scenario Debates Discussion Guide to explore different challenges and how to handle them professionally. Get ready to share your ideas!
Set up the 'Workplace Scenario Debates' activity. Explain that they will be given different situations and need to discuss the best way to handle them. Refer to the Workplace Scenario Debates Discussion Guide.
Action Time: Role-Playing
Time to step into the shoes of a professional!
Using the Role-Playing Workplace Etiquette Activity Guide, you will act out various workplace scenarios to practice your soft skills and etiquette. Have fun and be creative!
Introduce the 'Role-Playing Workplace Etiquette' activity. Explain that they will act out different scenarios to practice their skills. Refer to the Role-Playing Workplace Etiquette Activity Guide.
Your Path to Workplace Success
- Soft skills and professional etiquette are your secret weapons for career success.
- They help you communicate, collaborate, problem-solve, and adapt.
- Keep practicing these skills in all areas of your life!
What's one thing you'll remember about workplace wisdom?
Conclude by summarizing the importance of these skills and encouraging them to keep practicing. Ask for a final takeaway from each student.
Discussion
Workplace Scenario Debates: What Would You Do?
Instructions: Read each scenario with your group. Discuss and debate the best way to handle the situation, using the soft skills and etiquette we just learned. Be prepared to share your group's reasoning with the class.
Scenario 1: The Late Teammate
You are working on a group project at your internship, and one of your teammates consistently arrives 15-20 minutes late to team meetings. This delays your progress and frustrates the rest of the team.
- How would you address this issue with your teammate?
- What soft skills would you use (e.g., communication, empathy, problem-solving)?
- What is the professional way to handle this, rather than just complaining?
Scenario 2: The Confusing Task
Your supervisor gives you a new task, but the instructions are unclear, and you're not sure exactly how to start. You feel a bit embarrassed to ask for clarification, thinking you should understand it already.
- What is the best course of action?
- How can you ask for help professionally without sounding incompetent?
- What communication skills are important here?
Scenario 3: The Office Gossip
You overhear a group of colleagues gossiping negatively about another co-worker during your lunch break. They invite you to join in.
- How should you respond to this situation?
- What does professional etiquette say about participating in gossip?
- How can you politely remove yourself from the conversation without creating tension?
Scenario 4: A Customer Complaint
You are working at a retail store, and a customer approaches you, very upset about a product they purchased. They are raising their voice and seem angry.
- How do you de-escalate the situation and address the customer's concerns?
- What communication and problem-solving skills are crucial in this moment?
- What is the goal of your interaction with the customer?
Activity
Role-Playing Workplace Etiquette: Act It Out!
Instructions: In your groups, you will choose one of the scenarios below (or create your own!). Assign roles and act out the scenario, focusing on demonstrating excellent soft skills and professional etiquette. After each role-play, discuss what went well and what could be improved.
Scenario 1: The Job Interview
Roles: Interviewer, Job Applicant
Situation: The applicant is interviewing for their first part-time job. The interviewer will ask common questions, and the applicant needs to demonstrate strong communication skills, active listening, and professionalism (e.g., firm handshake, eye contact).
- Focus on: First impressions, verbal and non-verbal communication, confidence.
Scenario 2: Asking for Help with a Task
Roles: Employee, Supervisor
Situation: The employee is struggling with a task and needs to ask their supervisor for clarification or assistance without appearing helpless. The supervisor should provide clear guidance.
- Focus on: Professional communication, problem-solving (by seeking help), respectful language.
Scenario 3: Resolving a Minor Conflict with a Co-worker
Roles: Co-worker A, Co-worker B
Situation: Co-worker A feels that Co-worker B is not contributing fairly to a shared task. Co-worker A needs to address this issue calmly and constructively with Co-worker B.
- Focus on: Conflict resolution, respectful communication, teamwork, finding a solution.
Scenario 4: Receiving Feedback
Roles: Supervisor, Employee
Situation: The supervisor is giving the employee constructive feedback on an area for improvement. The employee needs to listen actively, acknowledge the feedback, and respond professionally without getting defensive.
- Focus on: Active listening, adaptability, open-mindedness, professionalism.
Cool Down
Workplace Wisdom: Cool Down
Instructions: Take a few minutes to reflect on today's lesson. Answer the questions below to help you think about what you've learned.
- What is one new soft skill or etiquette rule you learned today that you think will be most useful in a future job?
- Describe a real-life situation (either from school, home, or a job) where you could use one of the skills we discussed today (e.g., active listening, problem-solving, professional communication).
- What is one question you still have about workplace wisdom or preparing for a job?