PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

February 9, 2022

YOUTH DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS (Part III, A Good Employee)

When I was the pastor of the Trinity United Methodist church in Kendallville I served for several years on an industrial taskforce created by the Chamber of Commerce.  We interviewed local business leaders and toured factories.  A common concern was to find workers who could read, do basic math, were able to take instructions, and showed up.  For what I read and hear this need is even greater today.

Two categories of the Search Institute’s “40 Developmental Assets” would seem to address these needs as well as other requirements for being a good employee: commitment to learning and social competencies.  Developmental assets #21 to #25 have to do with learning.  They are achievement motivation (young person is motivated to do well in school), school engagement (young person is actively engaged in learning), homework (young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day), bonding to school (young person cares about her or his school), and reading for pleasure (young person reads for pleasure three or more hours per week0.  A learning asset that is not mentioned is attendance: young person regularly attends school.  This is a particular asset for employers.

The five Social Competencies assets help to contribute to a good work environment.  Luke 14:28 says “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?” Nothing will get a company or an organization quicker than to have faulty business practices. Asset # 32 has to do this important function of planning and decision making – young person knows how to plan ahead and make choices.

Social Competencies Assets #33 and #34: Interpersonal competence (young person has empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills) and Cultural competence (young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds).  A workplace can be very diverse in its make-up, bringing people together of many different backgrounds.  Assets #33 and #34 contribute to a harmonious workplace.

Asset #35 is resistance skills: young person can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations.  The scriptures have a great deal to say about temptation.  In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus tells his disciple “Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mat. 26:41) Temptation can present itself in a variety of ways in the workplace.  Having resistance skills can be of great benefit for an employee.

Conflicts arise in the workplace.  It is important they be handled in a positive and constructive manner.  Asset #36 addresses this concern: peaceful conflict resolution—young person seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently.  Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:31, 32)

These last three weeks we have been looking at Developmental Assets identified by the Search Institute to help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.  External assets were the focus the first week.  We looked at how we as adults can help children and young people grow and mature.  Last week we looked at some values we may want to instill in youth.  This week our focus has been on some assets that will help a young person succeed in the workplace.