Teaching “Soft Skills,” Civility, Compassion, and Empathy
Op-Ed Article
Some might say that teaching “soft skills” is not an easy task. Some people may state it’s even impossible to teach “soft skills.” Though, at least it is possible to provide opportunities to increase a person’s awareness of “soft skills.” It is easier to teach someone a technical skill, such as how to build a widget, than how to collaborate in a positive, productive manner.
As a past resident assistant and supervisor of resident assistants, it seems that residence life has a unique opportunity. While students are spending their time at academic institutions learning scholarly topics and technical skills, are they gaining an understanding of “soft skills.” Perhaps residence life professionals have an opportunity to provide students with opportunities to increase their awareness and potentially gaining a better understanding of “soft skills.” As defined by Indeed.com, an online job and resume system, “ Soft skills are personality traits and behaviors. Unlike technical or “hard” skills, soft skills are not about the knowledge you possess but rather behaviors you display in different situations” (Source: “Soft Skills: Definitions and Examples” retrieved on 6-March-2019 from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/soft-skills ).
Soft Skills
Some examples of soft skills, include: Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Effective communication skills, Leadership, Teamwork, Collaboration, Integrity, Work ethic, Time Management, Dependability, Adaptability, Conflict resolution, Flexibility, Problem-solving, Research, Creativity.
Time Management — Aspects of time management typically involve: spending time planning and organizing, setting goals, prioritizing, using a to-do list, and doing the right thing right, as defined in a list of Tips for More Effective Personal Time Management from NYU (Source: “Tips for More Effective Personal Time Management” retrieved on 6-March-2019 from https://www.nyu.edu/students/academic-services/undergraduate-advisement/academic-resource-center/tutoring-and-learning/academic-skills-workshops/time-management.html ).
Collaboration with mutual, win-win outcomes — is described as “ Collaboration, with a win/win outcome, is the ideal method to use in working out disagreements and problems that are important to both parties. The collaboration process frequently results in growth in knowledge, respect, and understanding between the parties involved,” as described by Mediate.com (Source: “Win/Win Solutions — The Role of Collaboration in Resolving Problems” retrieved on 6-March-2019 from https://www.mediate.com/articles/eilermanD8.cfm )
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)— one description of EQ, as described by PsychologyToday states “Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others” (Source: “Emotional Intelligence” retrieved on 6-March-2019 from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/emotional-intelligence). In other words, having an awareness of one’s own emotions.
Leadership Development — as renowned speaker and author Simon Sinek states: “Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.” Residence Life professionals not only have the opportunity to develop leaders within the resident assistant staff, but also through the residents such as with resident hall councils.
“It’s easy to judge. It’s more difficult to understand. Understanding requires compassion, patience, and a willingness to believe that good hearts sometimes choose poor methods. Through judging, we separate. Through understanding, we grow.” ~Doe Zantamata
Civility, Compassion, and Empathy
Civility is defined as: a polite act or expression
(Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civility).
It is also described as “formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.”
Not just safety and comfort zones, which may seem to try to shelter and protect people from uncomfortable conversations, but rather strive to create environments to have an open dialog while maintaining politeness and courtesy for each other.
A resource about increasing civility: https://nicd.arizona.edu/revivecivility
In the words of Senator Amy Klobuchar (on Nov 5th 2018):
“To respect other people, to be willing to find that common ground… to understand that courage isn’t just standing in the corner of the boxing-ring throwing insults, courage is whether or not you’re willing to stand next to someone you don’t always agree with for the betterment of this country; and that you go where it is uncomfortable, not just where it is comfortable.
It takes courage to have compassion and empathy for others, especially when there are some topics that you don’t always agree upon.
Compassion & Empathy
Compassion is defined as: sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it
(Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compassion).
Empathy is defined as: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner
(Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathy).
Though open-discussions along with presentations of diversity and inclusion, residence life staff have the potential to boost the awareness of students appreciation for compassion and empathy towards other individuals.
“There is less that separates us, than brings us together.”
E pluribus unum… out of many, one.
Please share your thoughts.
About ResLife Portal
ResLife Portal is a residence life management system which helps to connect residents with residence life staff for colleges. Join today, no agreements or contracts to sign, and start tracking the positive impact of your team: www.reslifeportal.com
