Student Name Western Governors University D235 Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare Prof. Name Date D235 Reflection Paper on Interprofessional Communication in Healthcare Part One: Working Style A1: What Are My Working Style Results? According to my 5 Dynamics report, my working style reveals a combination of energies: explore effortless, excite deliberate, examine deliberate+, and execute effortless. The explore dynamic shows an effortless intensity, indicating that once I begin investigating an idea or concept, I naturally follow through and develop effective solutions. The excite dynamic has a deliberate intensity, meaning I prefer to share ideas and engage a team actively to foster enthusiasm and collaboration around a project. The examine dynamic also reflects deliberate intensity, which resonates with my approach to tasks. I am naturally curious, often questioning the underlying reasons and gathering detailed information to guide decisions. This approach involves a back-and-forth process of analyzing and categorizing my thoughts. Lastly, the execute dynamic with effortless intensity means I can carry out planned tasks efficiently, avoiding interruptions or setbacks. Dynamic Intensity Level Description Explore Effortless Naturally pursue ideas and develop solutions Excite Deliberate Share ideas, engage group for enthusiasm Examine Deliberate+ Investigate deeply, analyze information systematically Execute Effortless Complete tasks efficiently without disruption A2: How Do I Reflect on My Working Style Results? Two significant strengths stand out in my working style. First, the effortless intensity in explore means I generate ideas and answers to “how” naturally during initial stages. This initiates a positive cycle of success and satisfaction. Second, the effortless execute energy enables me to achieve goals and complete projects timely, which boosts team confidence and cohesion. My working style aligns closely with how I manage college courses or workplace projects. Contrary to procrastination, I immediately review task requirements and organize my thoughts to meet expectations effectively. However, I face challenges when overwhelmed by excessive information in a short time. To manage this, I take breaks and use repetition, especially during live lectures, to reinforce understanding. Additionally, I learn best when fully engaged in the moment, often sitting near the front of class and recording lectures to capture essential details. A3: What Working Styles Do I Prefer in Teammates? The ideal teammate would possess a balanced combination of all working styles. I value collaboration with individuals who can brainstorm freely, share ideas openly, and communicate without bias. It is essential for each member to feel included and respected. If disagreements arise, I encourage open communication to integrate diverse viewpoints and reach a consensus that benefits the entire team. Part Two: Communication A4A: What Is My Listening Mode? During my nursing career, I encountered a sensitive conversation about end-of-life care involving a resident’s family and a hospice nurse. The atmosphere was somber yet professional, as we coordinated care respecting the family’s spiritual beliefs. I practiced listening to learn by attentively gathering facts and nuances to develop an appropriate care plan. A4B: How Did Listening Impact My Learning? Through attentive listening, I gained a deep understanding of the family’s values and final wishes, despite their beliefs differing from my own. This comprehensive understanding allowed me to accommodate their specific requests while ensuring all parties reached a mutual agreement. A4C: How Has Listening Affected My Relationships? Adopting a listening style that allows others to express their feelings uninterrupted has improved my interpersonal relationships. By grasping the emotions behind messages, I can respond thoughtfully and foster genuine, open communication. A5A: What Is My Speaking Mode? I recall an incident where a coworker defended calling out of work but going out socially, causing conflict when pictures surfaced on social media. My attempt to share a different perspective was met with resistance. In this situation, my speaking became less about accuracy and more about managing conflict, reflecting a defense mechanism rather than open dialogue. A5B: What Have I Learned from Speaking? In challenging conversations, I strive to reflect on all viewpoints to guide the discussion toward a constructive resolution. Although not every situation resolves perfectly, encouraging direct dialogue between conflicting parties often leads to better mutual understanding. Acting as a mediator is not always effective; sometimes, enabling the parties to communicate directly is preferable. A5C: How Does My Speaking Affect Relationships? My communication style adapts to the audience. In professional settings, I maintain clarity and respect, ensuring my message is easily understood. When speaking with family, I soften my tone and avoid jargon, offering explanations as needed. With colleagues, I uphold professionalism while respecting diverse perspectives, aiming to relate to their needs and foster empathy. Audience Speaking Style Purpose Family Soft tone, simple language Clarity, comfort, offer explanation Co-workers Professional, respectful tone Team cohesion, mutual understanding Professional Clear, direct communication Efficiency, goal achievement A6: How Do I Apply the Laws of Conversation? I approach communication with the intent to build meaningful exchanges, analyzing my audience to foster trust and avoid misunderstandings. If bias or miscommunication arises, I consider emotions and body language to realign the conversation toward positive engagement and value creation rather than waste. A7: How Will I Use New Communication Tools? I intend to apply these communication techniques professionally and personally to cultivate respect and trust. Understanding physiological needs and avoiding unproductive debates helps maintain constructive dialogue. I will consciously use the Ladder of Listening framework to enhance mindfulness and emotional intelligence during interactions. D235 Reflection Paper on Interprofessional Communication in Healthcare Part Three: Course Reflection and Future Application A8A: What Have I Gained from the Course? This course enriched my communication skills by teaching me diverse listening modes, mindful conversation techniques, and the importance of professional speaking to foster positive relationships. A8B: What Challenges Did I Face? Understanding and interpreting my 5 Dynamics learning style was particularly challenging, especially applying the theoretical concepts to my personal experiences. A8C: What Is the Most Valuable Course Content? The most impactful learning was mastering professional communication and recognizing how conversations can quickly shift from constructive to wasteful. Realizing how speech affects perceptions and relationships was eye-opening. A9: How Can I Help Others Using These Skills? I aim to assist others by demonstrating compassion and facilitating meaningful dialogue, encouraging professional and respectful

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