D235 Task 1 Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare Reflection
Student Name
Western Governors University
D235 Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare
Prof. Name
Date
Part One: Working Style
What is your working style based on the energy assessment?
In my working style self-assessment, my Explore energy was rated as Deliberate+, indicating a thoughtful approach to exploration. My Excite energy scored as Abundant+, showing high enthusiasm and sociability. The Examine energy was also rated Deliberate+, reflecting careful analysis, while Execute energy was rated Deliberate, suggesting a moderate level of decisiveness and action.
What are your primary strengths in your working style?
My foremost strength lies in my creativity. Scoring highest in the Explore energy group supports my inclination to generate innovative solutions to problems. I consciously weigh the long-term consequences of my actions, which aligns with my deliberate nature. Another strength is interpersonal interaction. The 5 Dynamics report indicated my highest score in Excite energy, reflecting my ability to uplift others with humor and optimism, even during challenging situations. I genuinely enjoy engaging with people and learning about their interests.
What challenges do you face in your working style?
One significant challenge for me is decision-making. A low score in Execute energy suggests hesitation in making definitive decisions. I tend to analyze both the positives and negatives extensively, which can delay action and sometimes lead to procrastination. Procrastination often occurs when I feel overwhelmed by the many directions a project might take, reinforcing the link between low execution energy and delayed progress.
How do you prefer to learn?
I learn best through a combination of methods, primarily visual and hands-on approaches. Rather than absorbing information through reading alone, I find examples and discussions with others more effective. This blend of learning styles helps me maintain engagement and deepen understanding.
How do your working energies manifest in daily life and teamwork?
In everyday life, I frequently demonstrate characteristics from the Explore and Excite energy groups. At work, I often take initiative and assist wherever needed, preferring to lead by example rather than direct instruction. I incorporate humor to keep the environment positive. If collaborating on projects, I would benefit from a partner strong in Energy and Execute groups—someone organized, detail-oriented, decisive, and vocal in leadership. Such a balance would complement my strengths by handling logistics and details while I focus on creative direction.
| Working Style Aspect | Description | Energy Group |
|---|---|---|
| Creativity | Generates innovative solutions; considers long-term consequences | Explore (Deliberate+) |
| Interpersonal Interaction | Uses humor, stays optimistic, enjoys conversations | Excite (Abundant+) |
| Decision-Making Challenge | Hesitant to make firm decisions due to overanalysis | Execute (Deliberate) |
| Learning Preference | Visual and hands-on learning, prefers examples and discussions | Mixed |
| Leadership Style | Leads by example, uses humor, avoids directive control | Explore & Excite |
| Ideal Partner Strengths | Organized, detail-oriented, decisive, vocal leadership | Energy & Execute |
Part Two: Communication
Describe a recent communication experience and your role in it.
Recently, during a discussion involving my wife’s family about complicated dynamics with distant cousins, I took on the role of ensuring accuracy. As an outsider, I often asked clarifying questions and pointed out when participants speculated rather than relied on facts. I emphasized withholding judgment until more information was available. This reflects my general communication style, which lies between sincerity and accuracy on the conversation meter. I prioritize honesty, conflict avoidance, and fact-based dialogue.
How do you vary your listening styles?
I adapt my listening based on context. At home, particularly with my wife, I aim for authentic listening, fostering deep and genuine conversations. However, mood fluctuations can influence this. At work, I lean toward empathetic listening by putting myself in others’ shoes, balancing empathy with objectivity during serious discussions.
Can you provide an example of productive communication at work?
An example occurred when my manager addressed a documentation error in a new process. She combined sincerity with accuracy, pointing out the mistake without blame and guiding me toward improvement. This approach encouraged me to respond openly, resulting in a productive dialogue and mutual understanding.
What are your general communication tendencies?
I tend to communicate with a blend of accuracy and authenticity. I engage others by asking questions and using inclusive language. With close family, I’m more candid and direct, as exemplified by my frank advice to my mother about advocating for herself at work. I value honest, purposeful conversations and avoid empty talk, which helps others feel comfortable and understood.
How do you manage challenges in communication?
Sometimes, to avoid conflict, I resort to communication strategies that fall under the pretense category on the conversation meter. When perceived as insincere, this can lead to wasted conversational cycles. Awareness of this has prompted me to use tools like the ladder of listening, which highlights the importance of finding shared purpose to enhance effective communication.
| Communication Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Role in Family Discussion | Emphasizes accuracy; asks clarifying questions; discourages premature judgment |
| Listening Style Variations | Authentic at home; empathetic and factual at work |
| Work Communication Example | Manager’s constructive, sincere feedback led to productive discussion |
| General Style | Accuracy and authenticity; candid with family; inclusive and purposeful otherwise |
| Communication Challenges | Occasionally uses avoidance (pretense); aims to shift toward value through listening ladder |
Part Three: Reflection / Hero’s Journey
What were your impressions of the mindfulness exercises?
The mindfulness exercises were both enlightening and beneficial. They revealed how cluttered my mind often is and helped me focus on one sense at a time. This heightened awareness extended to reflecting on my listening and speaking habits, offering valuable insights to improve communication.
What challenges did you face with mindfulness and reflection?
Focusing on mindfulness was difficult due to the many distractions in my life. Additionally, revisiting past conversations for analysis was challenging since I typically prefer to move on quickly. It required intentional effort to identify meaningful dialogues for reflection.
D235 Task 1 Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare Reflection
What did you find most valuable in the course?
The conversation meter stood out as particularly useful. It encourages intentionality in interactions rather than autopilot responses. Understanding this framework motivates me to approach conversations with curiosity and reduce biases, moving toward cycles of value.
How does Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs relate to your profession?
Maslow’s model is highly relevant in nursing, where prioritizing patients’ physiological and safety needs is critical before addressing higher-level needs like esteem and fulfillment. It provides a structured approach to patient care.
How might you share these insights with your family?
I plan to introduce my family to the mindfulness exercises, demonstrating how quick and simple they are to practice throughout the day. This could improve their communication, awareness, and stress management. Encouraging them to take the energy dynamics assessment would also help them understand personal strengths and limitations, enhancing teamwork.
What habits and skills do you want to maintain or improve?
I aim to cultivate a daily mindfulness routine, ideally starting my day with a brief practice before engaging with distractions like my phone. The listening leader tool is another skill I want to use consistently by periodically reflecting on my listening quality during conversations. I also recognize the need to manage my biological reactions better, particularly moving away from appeasement toward assertiveness and authentic communication.
| Reflection Aspect | Insights & Actions |
|---|---|
| Mindfulness Experience | Eye-opening; revealed mental busyness; aided focus and self-awareness |
| Challenges | Difficulty focusing; discomfort revisiting past conversations |
| Valuable Tools | Conversation meter; increased intentionality and curiosity |
| Professional Application | Maslow’s Hierarchy helps prioritize patient needs in nursing |
| Family Sharing Plans | Teach mindfulness exercises; recommend energy assessment for better teamwork |
| Habits to Maintain/Improve | Establish daily mindfulness; use listening leader tool; develop assertiveness skills |
References
Rogers, C. R., & Farson, R. E. (1957). Active listening. In Communications in Business Today (pp. 49–53). D.C. Heath and Company.
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396.
D235 Task 1 Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare Reflection
Wittenbaum, G. M., & Stasser, G. (1996). Management of information in decision-making groups: Exchange patterns and outcomes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(6), 1300–1311.
Brownell, J. (2012). Listening: Attitudes, principles, and skills (5th ed.). Pearson.