The instructor sets the guidelines and the tones.  The instructor may need to lead the way (model) in the beginning, but can start to ease off a little and let community grow afterward.    The instructor must still regulate the discussions, but can begin to use open-ended, thought-provoking questions to help foster online learning. 

Understand different generations and their communication styles.  Be clear, consistent, and fair in our instruction.  Set the expectations ( Syllabus/ Homework Grids, etc).  Hold students to expectations.  Know when to use situations/Questions for all or for an individual. 

Set expectations, define terms, be consistent. 

As technology grows, teachers must learn to evolve and adapt.  Twenty years ago,  I never dreamed of teaching students online or in hybrid classes.    Since we are in the making relationship business, we need to be effective in all forms of communication. 

I think the last quote sums it up nicely: "Hard skills are needed to be an instructor, soft skills are needed to be a successful instructor." With my students, I will take out "instructor" and insert their intended professions. 

It seems that these skills are interrelated.  If you choose to work on one, you work on multiple skills.  For example, when you work on problem-solving, you are also developing skills in communication, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and leadership. 

The teacher is a role model.  What we show will often be more important than what we know.  I thought integrity would be #1.  If you have integrity then you should be a team player, dependable, have a positive attitude, etc.  Since 55% of communication is nonverbal, we need to be aware of our nonverbal cues.  We are the starting point to professionalism .  We must model what constitutes a good professional.  

The world is changing faster than traditional education can keep up. AI will start to do all the hard skill jobs, but is not very adaptable to soft skills. This is even more true now that we have transitioned from a relational world to a transactional one. Educators will have an ever-increasing duty to help enhance the soft skills of their students.   This will become even more challenging, as many courses are now offered in an online format.   The challenge will be to enhance skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, problem solving, time management, and communication skills.   

The first step in solving any problem is admitting one exists.  Then we need to define the actual problem precisely.  Then research, and gather information.  Then analyze the data, and find the best solution.  Put it into effect, then evaluate if it solved the problem.  When we teach our students to become better creative critical thinkers we empower them to change the world for the better. 

To become better teachers we must understand that students have different learning styles.  We can do more to help them take their 3 primary styles and show them how to weave them into problem-solving.  We must also touch on and teach about emotional intelligence and reflective thought.