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ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR MIDTERM – SPRING 2018

CASE: Your Best Self

The object of this game is to end up with the labels that best represent each person’s values. The

following rows represent 11 rounds of play. Break the class into groups of four students (if the number

of students is not divisible by four, then we suggest three). Play begins with the person in the group

whose name comes first in alphabetical order. That student picks one of the values in round one that

represents him- or herself, crosses it off this list, and writes it down on a piece of paper. Values can be

used by only one person at a time. Moving clockwise, the next person does the same, and so forth for

round one until all the values have been taken.

For round two, the first player can either add a second value from the round two row, or take a value

from one of the other players by adding it to his or her list while the other player crosses off the value.

The player whose value has been taken selects two new values from the one and two rows. Play

proceeds clockwise. The rest of the rounds continue the same way, with a new row available for each

round. At the end of the rounds, students rank the importance to them of the values they have

accumulated.

1. Freedom Integrity Spirituality Respect

2. Loyalty Achievement Fidelity Exploration

3. Affection Challenge Serenity Justice

4. Charity Discipline Security Mastery

5. Prudence Diversity Kindness Duty

6. Wisdom Inspiration Harmony Joy

7. Depth Compassion Excellence Tolerance

8. Honesty Success Growth Modesty

9. Courage Dedication Empathy Openness

10. Faith Service Playfulness Learning

11. Discovery Independence Humor Understanding

QUESTIONS:

1. What are your top three values? How well do they represent you? Did you feel pressure to choose values that might seem most socially acceptable?

2. Is there a value you would claim for yourself that is not on the list?

3. It is often argued that values are meaningful only when they conflict and we have to choose between them. Do you think that was one of the objectives of this game? Do you agree with the premise?