Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Breaking The Ice With A Gutted Rooster: Reflections On A Messy Day One, Dave O'Connell

Organization Management Journal

Based on an experience in an MBA Human Resource Management classroom, this paper traces the process of my reflection on an icebreaker discussion of ‘‘best’’ and ‘‘worst’’ student jobs. I indicate how I developed second thoughts about the way in which I handled the discussion, concerned that making light of messy jobs might encourage the class of future managers to do the same. The journey includes the input of a fellow colleague who helped spur me to articulate more clearly – for myself and for my students – that which I am willing to profess as a management professor. In …