Just as it happens in the brick and morta classrooms, so too does conflict happen in the online classes. Emotions can be transmitted acrosss thousands and thousands of miles. I have had online instructors who were very rude and whose personality comes off all wrong. Respect is nessary for good rapport. I have had students in my classes who were intimidators, but I had to maintain my emotional intelligene and be the unflinching leader I need to be, while at the same responding respectfully to the intimidators. The human entitity is always a challenge.