What skills actually matter most when you get to work?

Communication and emotional intelligence might matter more than anything you're tested on at school. In this activity you'll hear from a video producer who once had to lead a shoot in Japan with a crew he'd never met, most of whom didn't speak English.

This activity is designed to be flexible and can be used as follows:

  • During a lesson - 30 minutes. Students work in pairs and then share their reflections with the rest of the class.
  • During tutor time - 20 minutes. Students watch the video independently and then discuss one of the topics together.
  • As homework - Students watch the video on their own and complete the reflection at their own pace.

This activity supports the following frameworks:

  • Gatsby Benchmark 5
  • PSHE Association KS3 codes L1, L4
  • PSHE Association KS4 codes L1, L3

1. Before you start

Take a moment to think about the following question:

  • If someone asked you what skills you're best at, would you think of a school subject - or something else? What skills do you use every day that you've never been tested on?

If you're working with a partner or team, share and compare your thoughts before continuing.

2. Watch the video

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Tim Langley - Video Producer

Tim is a video producer at a creative agency in Leicestershire. His job covers everything from writing scripts and pitching ideas to planning shoots, managing budgets, and overseeing edits. He's worked with crews from all over the world, often with people he's never met before.

While watching the video, listen for the following:

  • What does Tim say are the most important skills for doing well in any career - and why?
  • How many different tasks does Tim describe doing in a typical day?

3. Reflect and discuss

First, add a personal reflection based on the following:

  • What is one thing Tim said about skills that made you think differently about what you're already good at?

Next, think about the following and discuss with your partner or group:

  • Tim says communication skills and EQ - being able to connect with people, empathise, and hold a conversation - matter more than most things taught at school. Do you agree? Where do you think people actually learn those skills?
  • Tim's job includes scripting, pitching, planning shoots, hiring crew, managing budgets, and overseeing edits. What does that tell you about the range of skills a single job can require? Which of those would you enjoy and which would you find harder?
  • Tim describes a shoot in Japan where he'd never met the crew, most of them didn't speak English, and the drone kept blowing away. He had to adapt on the spot. What skills do you think helped him in that moment - and are those skills you could practise now?