Hello,
I think there is a necessary fine balance between our soft people skills and that firmness that you mention. I have always approached it in a way that incorporates both, especially early in a semester. One can argue that students are seeking and even expecting leadership from an instructor, with soft people skills being a given in any professional interaction, including in the class setting. Perhaps the difference as an instructor, particularly on the college level, is that the students have paid for this experience and they have realigned their life schedule for this commitment and learning the hard skills associated with a given course, from an expert in the field who exudes confidence and positive energy. I also believe that they, more times than not, probably feel more assured and comfortable when it is communicated (verbally, through body language and perhaps with just the right amount of seriousness in tone) that the atmosphere will be as structured as it needs to be, with certainly enough room to make each class an enjoyable experience. Leading the way with a hint of firmness, while remaining positive and sensitive to your group, has always been the best of both worlds for me.
Tom Ruggio
