Bypassing Case 3.1 (Hard Work): Samantha

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS - SAMANTHA

After understanding how to identify contributing factors and apply correctives as demonstrated in the Bypassing Sample Case Analysis, now it's your turn to analyze a character. You have selected to analyze Samantha.

Re-read the Hard Work case below, then post your character analysis of Samantha as a Reply to this topic. Your analysis should include:

1. a contributing factor (words have mono-usage, words have meaning) to Samantha's bypassing behavior
2. an explanation as to how Samantha exhibited the contributing factor
3. a corrective (be person-minded, not word-minded; query & paraphrase; be approachable; be sensitive to context ) specific to Samantha's bypassing behavior
4. an explanation regarding how Samantha could use the corrective when interacting with other characters in the case.

The case is copied below for reference. Remember that you will not see others' responses until you post yours.

Samantha, a junior volleyball player, headed to her weekly meeting with the head Coach. Sometimes, these meetings went well; other times, she was scared of what might happen. This coach’s behaviors differed from what Samantha usually expected of a head coach, the coach only interacted with players at individual meetings.  Samantha assumed that this week’s meetings would focus on the team’s performance at the end of the season. 

“Good morning, Samantha.  How do you feel about your performance in both games and practices this year?” the head coach asked.

“I think that I worked hard during practice, but I rarely had the opportunity to play in the games."

“I thought that the amount of time you played during games matched your performances during practice,” answered the coach.  “Do you think that you are going to play next season?”

“I have a heavy course load, and I may need to look for a job or an internship. More important, I believe that I should be rewarded with more playing time for all my hard work.”

"Well, your hard work is appreciated,” explained the coach.  “Regardless of whether you play, I believe that the team could use a good teammate and hard worker like you. You really show the rest of the team how to be a good sport and have a good attitude. We would like to have you on the team, but either way, I wish you luck next year.”

Meanwhile, Kendra, also a junior volleyball player, met with the assistant coach.  Kendra did not care about these evaluation meetings.  Sometimes, she even skipped them simply because she knew that neither coach would punish her.  Because she was the best player on the team, she knew it did not matter whether she tried at practice, as the coaches always played her and she started every game.  

The assistant coach inquired, “Kendra, how would you rate your effort in both games and practices?”  

“Well, practices never seem important because I start every game. You have my statistics, so you know how hard I work during games.” 

“Do you think you will play next year?” asked the assistant coach.

“Of course I'm going to play. I am not sure that the team could win without me. I work the hardest out there,” claimed Kendra.

“Well, those are all the questions I have for you.  Keep your grades up and we will see you next season,” the assistant coach concluded. She sighed deeply as she headed to the next round of player meetings. Someday when she was a head coach, she would definitely address players with bad attitudes.

In the hallway, Samantha and Kendra crossed paths outside of the coaches’ offices and discussed their individual meetings. Samantha rarely enjoyed these interactions, but she decided to ask Kendra about meeting with the assistant coach.

“They want me to play next year. Those silly meetings never mean anything to me.  I told the assistant coach that practice was not important and she did not even get mad.” 

 “Coach told me they appreciate my hard work at practice. See you next season,” Samantha finished, hoping she would not cross paths with Kendra anytime soon.