Reflective Essay on Residential Experience

Running Head: REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Topic- Residential experience reflection
Student name
University name
Author notes

2RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE REFLECTION
This essay is a self-reflection of my residential experience learning at the event at Fall
barrow during my post-graduation days. It has increased both academic knowledge and personal
experiences and real-world experiences as well Bedwell, Fiore and Salas (2014, pp.171-186). In
order to critically analyze and interpret my motives and feelings on the same I have incorporated
a number of discussion areas and various personal development needs were identified and
evaluated based on a number of theoretical support and use of relevant frameworks Bedwell,
Fiore and Salas (2014, pp.171-186). I have conducted a number of self-evaluation tests that
includes the self-perception team role profiling test, Belbin role suit test, Myers Briggs test of
personality, Big five theoretical approach, Barrett value test and also emotional intelligence Bass
and Riggio (2014). Each test result is interpreted here to find the actual and final behavioral
approach Burns (2012). The reflective essay is structured and divided based on the following
main areas of discussion namely leadership, communication, time management, conflict,
interpersonal skills and teamwork. After critical analysis of each point I have drawn final
conclusion on my part to have an understanding of my stand that reflected upon my areas of
improvement in future. For better comprehension of the essay the Gibbs reflective model is used
where descriptions, feelings, evaluation, conclusion and action all are interconnected in a
cyclical manner by Gareth Bell (2013, pp.45-47). However, in this essay I will only focus on my
personal experiences on the previously mentioned areas of consideration based on each event
undertaken.
First, I would like to share my first Day 1 experience of Maze task. Here I have to
identify the correct path of finishing a given task with the help of all relevant rules and
regulations. I failed the task and felt very disappointed. The reason of failure was no proper
communication and effective planning. My personality type releveled by the Big Five

3RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE REFLECTION
personality test mentions the same. It is based on the five personality types of extraversion,
neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experiences Behfar, Friedman
and Brett (2016, pp.501-536). I have rated myself on a five-point scale and my end results show
that I am high at extraversion and conscientiousness but is low at openness to experiences. This
evidence from the test support the event results of failure as I am low at openness to experiences.
Pre-planning a picture of how to effectively complete the task would help in achieving better
results and proper communication could have supported the results of doing better. This reflects
that the communication approaches need to be more conducive and clear communication will
result in better outcomes Batenburg, van Walbeek and in der Maur (2013, pp.901-913). There is
need to work on interpersonal skills and openness to discussions and interaction with unknown
groups need to be increased Behfar, Friedman and Brett (2016, pp.501-536). This will improve
openness to experiences to a great extent Cappellini (2015, pp.184-186).
On day 1 I also participated in task of Web Bridge where I need to identify the correct bridge
pattern and need to cross it by aligning them. I again failed this task and lose my self-confidence
to some extent. I failed due to worst planning and vague ideology. It also reflected that my
resource management is not good and I have bad leadership skills. My test results of the famous
Myer Briggs test of personality support the failure reason and results show that I am an ENTJ
type A personality individual and is a Commander of dominant characterization. Though my
extroversion and judgement qualities are my strengths but my intuition and thinking weaknesses
has superseded them. And weak intuition and thinking resulted in worst planning Greenberger
(2016, pp.121-128). I then decided to change my problem-solving style to situation based and
and has become more flexible to adopt changes as per situations.

4RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE REFLECTION
The third task of day 1 is called the sheep and shepherd task where I as a shepherd need to guide
all the sheep to reach the destination by using the correct signal. I was successful in this task and
regained my self-confidence. The planning and communication both improved after the first two
tasks and I understood the importance of interaction and proper media signaling for successful
communication. I also focused on timely communication and for which planning also improved.
I am a complete finisher (CF) as per Belbin roles and so was able to successfully finish the task.
According to Hawkins (2017) communication plays a very vital role in business and
professionalism. If there is no clear communication among groups and team members the
ultimate objective cannot be achieved and there will be chaos and conflicts Hebert and Hauf
(2015, pp.37-49). After considering the results of self-perception and team role profiles it is
found that I have high service skill which is my strength and have mild transformation skills
which I need to improve further and low at survival which is one of my weaknesses and need to
work on it and convert it to one of my strengths.
I then participated in the last Number Cruncher game of day 1 where group activity is focused
upon. Here a group of people need to choose consecutive set of numbers and are required to
touch the given numbers in a given time frame. The team lost the game due to my poor time
management skills. I felt very disappointed as my team lost the game for me. I was not able to
choose the optimum method of task completion within the given time frame. This is well
reflected in my personality type of ENTJ Commander as I have weak intuition and thinking
abilities. I was unable to decide upon the optimum way of completing the task within the given
time. I then focused on more group activities to increase my flexibility and cohesion as a part of
the team so that in future professional life I do not face group participation difficulty. It is
evident from EI results that there is issue in balancing of inner emotions with the result outcome