Humanities Topic: Power and Insecurity

Objectives:
1. The students will demonstrate that they familiar with insecurity, it's cause and how to deal with insecure people.

Resources/Materials: none

Intro Motivator:
Place the following statements on the white board and discuss:
1. "I am amazed to the extent to which people are insecure."
2. "What is insecurity and why are some people very insecure?"
Answers:
Insecurity:
- feeling unsafe
- concerned about something
- worried about something
Why:
- lack of optimism/trust
- lack of clarity/understanding
- overly concerned about power

Sample Insecurity Role Play:
Boss: "Hi, ________, do you have the key for the store? The one that I gave you yesterday."
Anxious: "Oh, I, may not have it, I'm not sure!"
Boss: "If you find it, would you give it to me?"
Anxious: "Yes, right away, you can count on me - I'll definitely get to it right away."
Boss: "Well, there's no hurry, but let me know when you find it."

Follow up Discussion:
What happened?
Who was insecure?
How should Anxious see the issue?
How should Anxious handle the problem?

Student Insecurity Role Plays:
Have students create a roleplay in which someone(s) is insecure; then have students
perform roleplays.

Follow up Activity:
Place the following on the white board or overhead and have students copy it down.

Insecure People:
-1- Often don't handle criticism well.
-2- Often 'lash out' at people.
-3- Often lack balance in their lives.
-4- Are often close minded.
-5- Often lack clarity.

Guidelines for Dealing with insecure people
-1- Relax
-2- Don't engage in power struggles (although there is a time to be assertive).
-3- Gently instruct them about insecurity.
-4- Give them a reason(s) to relax and/or trust themself, you or someone else
(or even a process).
-5- Discuss 'being optimistic'.
-6- Ignore.
-7- Don't be drawn into insecurity.
-8- Use compliments, but be honest.