In my opinion the most difficult soft skill is to try to get the students to use empathy in their daily lives. Especially in the medical field it is very important to get the student to interact with the patient and understand what they are going through on an individual basis
How to show interest or interest in a subject that they would prefer not to learn (Economics in a Design School)?
Attention to detail is probably the most common problem I see. In my Professional Development course, a common problem is a tendency to rush though the preparation and writing of resumes. I stress in resume writing that the most common mistake is accentuating what is not relevant and bypassing what is most important. Students are encouraged to spend time thinking of those skills employers may want, write them down on paper, go into as much detail as possible in regard to those skills, and then begin to think how that information can be summarized in a way that would appeal most to a future employer. Such planning may better ensure that the student may be successfully hired - and is a way of showing how attention to detail in reporting pays off.
The most difficult soft skill to teach my students is keeping their personal lives personal and their business lives business. I try to explain to them to be like a duck and let things roll off your back. When you leave home to go to work, let home issues roll off your back and stay there. When you leave work to go home, let work issues roll off your back and stay there. If you are able to keep these separated, it will make your life easier.
I also give them the example that they wouldn't want me to stand in front of them and tell them all about my personal life when I am supposed to be teaching them a subject. So, they shouldn't do it to their co-workers/employees or customers.
I discuss many soft skills with my students; however, the one that I sometimes find the most challenging is, adopting a positive attitude. Individuals' attitudes developed at a young age, and attempting to change that perspective in such a short amount of time, can be a bit difficult. Although it is the most difficult to teach, I also feel it is one of the most important. Attitude is everything, especially in the workplace.
Heather,
Refocusing students on the task instead of the excuse might be a good way to help them to see what can be done instead of what cannot be done.
Philip Campbell
I agree completely. Today's students seem to think that excuses will exonerate them from personal responsibility. Everyone has problems at some time or another but the job is not going to wait or understand unending excuses.
I often find it most difficult to impress upon students the importance of managing emotions. Many of my students have not had positive role models to teach them how to handle any type of unpleasant situation without reacting in an unaccaptable way. And since they can't manage emotions, it's more difficult for them to handle criticism, so it can be even more challenging to make them understand that an improvement is needed.
Managing emotions --
Also, if a student doesn't have a basic work ethic - it is very difficult to teach it.
Carol,
I am sure that many more people share your feelings on this.
Philip Campbell
students have to be taught this as well
My feeling is that the most important skill you can teach students[I am in nursing] is integrity and assuming responsibility for your actions. There should be zero tolerance for cheating and there has to be consequences.
Attention to detail and dependability are soft skills that are sometime difficult to teach. Students are usually in a hurry to complete assignments and often sacrifice attention to detail. Some students don’t quite understand the importance of attending classes. Their lack of dependability has a negative effect on their learning process.
Since I teach surgical technology, I think the hardest skill to teach is effective and concise communication. The students are learning a whole new type of jargon that is used in the field every day, and this is difficult to wrok around for some students.
Jimmy,
That is hard to do. Practice with help.
Philip Campbell
Antonio,
Keep working with them. There will be benefits.
Philip Campbell
I feel the most difficult for me is to teach them to work in groups considering many personalities and character traits...
In my opinion, the most difficult soft skill to teach is attention to detail. Often students glance over my demo and fail to appreciate the intricacies and the reasoning behind the actions.
Teaching my students on how to have empathy in the healthcare field can be a bit challenging. They have to realize every person is different and you have to treat them as indidviduals and to put themselves in those patients scenarios to help them understand.
Teaching the students to be more concerned with "What can I do for you?" instead of "What is in it for me?" and always reminding them that they may have the knowledge but if they don't know how to use it effectively with their clients and coworkers, they won't be able to survive in business.
