I believe that attention to detail combined with a positive attitude is most important because we all have bad days but the student is the most important aspect of the job.
Common sense is the most important soft skill because it integrates other skills that are needed in other to have an effective interaction with others
Emily,
Great examples. I can see that you are a team oriented person and having the dependence of a team is something that will help you and your team be successful.
Philip Campbell
Dependability is a very important soft skill for employees to have in the workplace. Meeting deadlines and being held accountable for your duties are always important. Reliability is something a boss must be able to count on. Being a team player is also a very important soft skill in the workplace. For employees to be productive they must know how to work along side their co-workers. Employees must always be able to maintain a positive attitude regardless of what they come up against in the workplace. Being able to put a positive spin on problems is an imperative soft sill in the workplace.
Dependability and good attitude are the most important soft skills. When fellow workers have these traits they are more pleasant to work with and be around.
Alan,
I like your perspective on common sense. I also believe it is a development of skills.
Philip Campbell
I don't think you can teach common sense. You can guide, direct, and help someone through just about any task. But I feel common sense is really a developmental skill rather than a learned one. People learn early on not to stick metal objects in a light socket, usually getting stung in the process. If one continues to get shocked, he probably has a developmental issue, or lack of common sense if you will. I firmly agree with the program talking about 85% soft skills and 15% hard. If you have the ability to use common sense and other good soft skills, the technical part will take care of itself over time. As an instructor, it is important not to berate a student with the attitude of "look at what I know" and use your soft skills to get the student involved and wanting to learn. If this is accomplished, then teaching is the easy part. There are far too many highly intelligent people out there that know their topic inside out, yet do not have the ability to reach another person, much less teach. Common sense is a valuable tool not only in teaching, but everyday survival.
In my opinion, the most important soft skill to have is common sense.
Karen,
Very true. I would challenge anyone to argue that.
Philip Campbell
Dr. Campbell: Whether it's in the classroom, or in the workplace, how we communicate with others is such an important quality. It's true that a smile gets more than a frown!
Karen,
That sounds like a good practice and easy enough to do in the classroom. We should all take a crack at it to see how it goes. Thanks for sharing.
Philip Campbell
Dr. Campbell: Common sense can be shown through examples in the classroom. Instead of pointing out to a student that their answer is incorrect, we, as professors, can acknowledge that the student took the initiative to participate, and then, in turn, tell them why the answer they give is incorrect, or partially incorrect and give the correct answer. I think that can help with teaching common sense.
Christopher,
Are there any good ways to teach active listening? Please share if you have them. Students can learn a lot from being an activ listener, but how effective are they at it?
Philip Campbell
Tracy,
Il ike that statement, "common sense is not common". So, questin is can we teach common sense?
Philip Campbell
Soft skills are vital in the workplace today. People tend to work better when teamplay, integrity and respecting others come together. This results in a more productive work environment.
I believe that exhibiting a positive attitude is a very important soft skill that will set the foundation for a good learning environment. I also strongly believe that good active listening skills are very important. Active listening helps promote good relationship building.
I agree with that 100%. I always teach my students the importance of positive attitude. It's important when they are with their patients, when they are in their classroom and when they take their tests. Common sense is not common. I have students who are very bright class room wise, but no common sense.
Jeanette,
Good Ones. Positive attitudes are contagious and help others to have a positive day as well.
Philip Campbell
I think that integrity and a positive attitude are the most important soft skills.
Adaptability is a skill that doesn't come easy. I think it takes into account the ability to assess the current situation, assess your own personal knowledge, and make appropriate choices for outcomes.
