I find that non-verbal communication cues are critical with most of my students. Those cues can alert me to student needs and issues early on.
The ability to listen to the person and understand the underlining issue or concern that may be triggering the emotion or attitude he/she is displaying.
The definition used for this course was common sense is making decision that are appropriate and practical. Used in that context, I do believe we can help students learn to take steps that should help them make decisions that are appropriate, however it isn't acceptable to judge the student who could have different standards/values in how they reach their decisions. Interesting question, isn't it Philip?
In the classroom maintaning a balence of people skills,hard skills,workplace behavior, and soft skills are the instructors inner personal daily lesson plan.
Sue,
Common Sense is important, and how do we teach that? Can we teach it?
Philip Campbell
Jennifer,
Dependability is important and also is something that the students want. If our teachers are not dependable do we want them in class?
Philip Campbell
I think common sense would be the most important soft skill needed to be successful at any workplace. Too often, people make inappropriate judgments and decisions based on misdirected emtions. Common sense includes making appropriate judgments and practical decsions based on policies and it should never be based on "I win", "You lose".
This is actually a difficult question to answer because I could argue for all of the 10 that were were presented with in the material. I do believe that for instructors conflict resolution is a vital skill to have. We must not only be able to get along with our co-workers, but also be able to manage our students. Customer service is also vital, particularly in the for-profit educational system I am currently a part of. Our students are our customers and being able to have positive interactions with them is a very important skill to hae. I could also argue that dependability may be the most important in almost all jobs. In order to be able to showcase the other soft skills, you have to be there. Integrity is also of the utmost importance. We have such an ability to influence our students and should never allow our own personal feelings or biases hamper our ability to evaluate a students character, performance or their ability to succeed.
I think dependability and self discipline are very important in the workplace. To me, it is important to do in the dark what you would want to be seen doing in the light. I also think empathy is so important. Putting myself in another persons shoes helps me to be more understanding.
important soft skill is paying attention to the littlest detail. because we or so focus on the big one and thinking the little one in not important but it is.
I agree with Lloyd, a positive attitude goes a long way in most work environments as does common sense. To act in an appropriate manner covers a lot of bases, and often seems to be lacking in many organizations. Of course, one really can't isolate one or two attributes as the most essential, because when you really look at the top 10 soft skills, they all overlap to some degree. In short, balanced and proportional soft skills seems the thrust of the lesson.
James,
Dependability is huge. Acting like a team is key and one of the things that good teamwork will help with everything else that is going on.
Philip Campbell
Sherri ,
Very important. How do we teach that to our students? Is it enough to just role model?
Philip Campbell
Eleanor,
That is what is tough about online education. A lot get s lost in translation. Thank you for the post.
Philip Campbell
From my experiance in the culinary field, common sence and dependability are necessary soft skills for blending in with a successful team. Restaurants can be like a battlefield, and team memebers need to trust each other when the heat is on during service.
Managing stress is the most important, I think. How many of us bring our problems to work and vice versa? When things change at work, people tend to get anxious and lash out. It's important to maintain balance so we don't damage relationships that are so important to our careers.
I think that it's important to have "relate-ability" skills.
Hi Steven
Thank you for your comment about the importance of listening skills. It is more challenging than ever in our society with so many distractions, noise, media, etc. to really concentrate and listen to someone. There is also a need to teach about reading body language because so much is communicated non-verbally.
Dennis,
True statement. Listening at times is all people want. Just to know you will listen to them.
Philip Campbell
The ability to listen to others and to respect them as fellow colleagues.
