Get Your Students Hired
Many instructors and students I work with will talk negatively about other instructors/students. I consider myself a good listener and often times people will confine in me. When someone comes up to me with a negative comment most of the time, I will listen to their concerns while also sharing that I prefer not to talk negativity about others especially my co-workers. Is there another way to approach this situation that will not only help my company but also stop the negativety that can sometimes spread.
Sharon,
Students can read us better than we think they can. Better to leave everything outside.
Philip Campbell
Being tuned into one's own emotions every day. It is important to leave problems outside of work and not bring them into the workplace. Adequate rest, nutrition and exercise are important as well. A well balanced life contributes to success all around. Emotions have an effect on one's health, so it is important for wellbeing to be in tuned with one's emotions and be able to control them, or mitigate the effects on oneself and others at work or home.
Christopher,
These two combined are great examples. Thanks for sharing.
Philip Campbell
I think communication and team work are the most important soft skills. Communication about what I need from my students is key to how easily the class flows with out any delays in a busy schedule. I also let them know to communicate with me what needs they may have. Team work is also key. Knowing how to work with other people, sharing ideas and being respectful to each other will take anyone far in a career.
Sharon,
Stopping and thinking will resolves issues before they have a chance to happen.
Philip Campbell
Understanding oneself and reading others and your impact on others either by observing behavior or receiving verbal feedback. How is your message being received? Are you aware of your impactfullness by word and deed on others with whom you work? Stopping and thinking first is so important, especially controlling one's own emotions in relation to others.
Tom,
All of those go hand in hand. Doing all three will help each of them become greater.
Philip Campbell
Niani,
Good point. We need to be role models and and then model that behavior that we want them to have.
Philip Campbell
I agree also, but let's make sure we all practice what we communicate or preach/teach to our students.
Effective workplace skill is very important. It enables you to obtain a rapport with co workers and students. Having all the knowledge does not help you become successful in the workplace environment.
I believe there are more than one soft skill needed for the success in higher education. For example, drug free, conflict resolution (being able to teach and mentor students before going into the workplace) integrity and positive attitude. If the instructor lacks any of the soft skills the students will not emulate soft skills but rather inappropriate skills for the workplace
Lizette,
It is hard to avoid at times. Your list will help to defray the confusion.
Philip Campbell
This course really was one that I enjoyed. It has finally been said that you need a lot more soft skills then technical skills. After seeing the list of the top soft skills you realize that most of these skills people are born with them, some are taught to them and for some, they will never have them. To me, the most important ones would be common sense, a positive attitude and a sense of urgency. A sense of urgency goes hand and hand with customer service and I believe that can be taught. A positive attitude can also be developed, especially if you can bring out the passion out of that person, employee or student. The one I believe cannot be taught is common sense. You meet people, employees and students and just wonder, how do these people get home at night? You may be able to help increase their technical skills but their thought process is of their own accord. One of my favorite sayings is that of Benjamin Franklin. He once said "what is common about common sense is that it is not common at all" Hopeful our upcoming generation has more common sense than the one out there now.
As much as I embrace diversity. It's sometimes hard to avoid misunderstanding. However, being aware of, being empathitic, listening, respective and being positive will help to defray confussion.
I feel that an open line of communication and being a good listener is important. being there for the student and listening to their issues and not judging and giving good positive feedback goes a long way.
The most important soft skills to me are listening and positive attitude. The other skills will fall in place if we take the time to listen to our students. The many issues facing the average adult learner is tremendous. I am currently working with many returning VETS and listening to the amount of issue they are dealing with helps them to know someone cares. The listening and hearing when compounded with a great attitude that is can do and, no mountain too high to climb helps get the student to the next level.