Project Summary: Provide a minimum of 3 detailed paragraphs in response to the question: How can I use knowledge of OB to enhance my job (or school) performance and career? You will be graded on: Demonstrating your ability to communicate at a level expected of college students including organization, grammar, and logic. Use of textbook concepts The following is not a perfect example, but does earn full credit. " I never thought of the "knowing-doing gap" discussed on page 3 of Chapter 1. I always thought that the reason I was getting a degree was so I could prove by my diploma that I know all the functional knowledge taught to me in the BBA. Now I think that I need to be able to "do" managerial things. Some of my courses focus mostly on theory. Some do a good bit of applied exercises and tests. For the theory courses, I'll have to be self-motivated to give myself some exercises that will make sure I can "do" those theories. As the textbook says, "Performance gives me credibility" (page 8). Related to the "doing" part of my development are the four skills most desired by employers (page 7). There's so much to keep in focus with both hard skills and soft skills. I think my education will give me a good foundation in the "hard skills" (page 6). I think I need to begin with the "soft skills." They all look like they'll take a lot of work. However, my starting point will be with active listening. The textbook defines it as "Giving full attention to what other people are saying; taking time to understand the points being made; asking questions as appropriate and not interrupting." (page 7) My parents, my sister and even my best friend all say I have the annoying habit of interrupting them when they are speaking. If I can learn to constrain myself and really listen to them until they finish I think it will be useful throughout my career. I know I'll get plenty of practice in speaking skills during my program. It seems every class has an oral assignment! I'm going to work on listening. I hope to have a career in marketing. I know my company will train me in "selling the product" once I get the job. Being able to say during the employment interview (and mean it), "I have worked hard to develop skill in listening to others" might be the tipping point in getting the job. After all, once I get the client to buy my company's product, the sale won't be a success unless I can listen to the details of the order. I would look less competent if I had to keep asking questions like "Did you say you wanted the large one in black or the medium silver one?" "What was the delivery address again?" I haven't read the next chapter, but I can already see how this OB course will help me "do" my career.