Reflective Essay: Communication's Influence on Behavior & Experience

This reflective essay analyzes a student's experiences to demonstrate the impact of effective communication on performance, behavior, and overall experience, using Driscoll's model of reflection. The essay describes a workplace scenario where active listening and improved communication skills led to positive feedback and personal growth. The student reflects on the feelings and implications of the event, analyzing how these experiences shaped their approach to communication and professional development. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of communication skills for achieving personal and professional success, highlighting the value of continuous improvement and self-awareness. The student reflects on how improved communication skills positively influenced their ability to interact with colleagues, manage situations, and gain confidence in their abilities. The essay uses personal experiences to emphasize how effective communication enhances performance, behavior, and experience.

A Reflective Essay about Effective Communication & Improving Performance,
& how this influenced my Performance, behaviour & experience
This piece of reflective writing utilises Driscoll’s model of reflection (1994). Here I will
discuss my experiences at work/in education (WHICH OF THESE TWO DO YOU
WRITE ABOUT? WORK, OR EDUCATION?) where I demonstrate effective
communication, and the process that enabled me to improve my performance, in the
table below:
Part A
1. What? 350 words
A description of the situation or event
Description of a situation or event which
enabled you to improve performance because
of effective communication
What is/was the Purpose?
Once I was involved in a group discussion with my
colleague. In that discussion all participants were
putted their opinions on different topics.
What happened in the
event/scenario?
On that time realized that listening is the best way
to learn something from this discussion, so I was
start to give priority to listening. My these actions
on that discussion put great impression on my
colleagues, because everyone was give priority to
say something except me. It is a common human
nature that, humans always give priority to say
something without listening. That's why they were
impressed with my listening habit.
What did I see/do during the
event?
Then all colleagues was appreciated me for my
listening habit. One of them said I've never seen
any person in the world like you. He said to me,
you have too good listening skills. You need to
more improve these skills to put effective
impression on others.
What was my reaction to it?
That suggestion of my colleague was motivated
me to more improve my these skills. My listening
skills are part of communication skills, so I was
decides to improve my that all skills which are
comes under communication skills, like; interaction
skills, speaking skills, good body language etc.
Then I was joined one class also which teaches
“how to improve your communication skills”. I was
read some books, magazines and internet blogs
also to learn about communication skills.
What did other people do that
were involved in this?
In that group discussion, my all colleagues were
appreciated me, and told me you have opportunity
to increase your performance at any place with the
support of good communication skills. My
colleague told me that currently organizations
wants that employees in their workplace which has

effective communication skills, so you have ability
to achieve great success in life through these
skills.
How did they react or what
did they do as a result of it?
Their reactions were amazing when they have
seen my communication skills. They all get
completely impressed with my listening skills. They
all decide that, they also improve their
communication skills to learn something from each
conversation in life. My one colleague has ability to
maintain effective body language during any
conversation or communication. In that case, me
and my other colleagues was appreciated to him
for his good body language. Then that colleague
who has effective body language told everyone
that, body language also a part of communication
skills. At the end all decided, everyone will improve
their communication skills.
2. So What? 350 words Analyse the Event
How did I feel at the time of
the event?
I felt very proud on my self, because everyone in
that discussion were appreciated me for my
listening skills. I felt too good for my all colleagues,
because they were appreciated me. That group
discussion felt me that if you have good
communication skills, then you can easily impress
other party who involve in conversation with you.
That was really so positive experience to me.
Those feeling taught me value of communication
skills.
Were those feelings I had any
different from other people
who were involved at the
time?
Yes, those feelings made differentiate me with
others, because in that group discussion I was
only person who has effective listening skills. No
one in my colleagues has good listening skills like
me, because they only give priority to saying. They
not give priority to listing. That's why those feelings
made me different from others.
Are my feelings now, after the
event, any different from what
I experienced at the time?
My feelings still same as that time, because those
feeling highly was positively impacted me. From
that time to date, I still work on improving my
performance with the help of effective
communication skills.
Do I still feel troubled, if so, in
what way?
I feel trouble when I not maintain my
communication skills. Once when I was talk with
my neighbour, I was not maintained good body
language. That was too bad experience to me.

This thing trouble me, because I'm still not capable
for maintaining good body language. I should work
on improve my good these skills to feel untroubled.
What were the effects of what
I did or did not do?
I was joined a personality development class for
learning how to maintain effective body language
during any interaction. My that decision were
putted positive impact me.
What positive aspects now
emerge for me from the event
that happened in practice?
Now I'm able to maintain very effective body
language during any conversation. My listening
skills are also got more improved. My interaction
value is increasing day by day which is too good
thing to me.
What have I noticed about my
behaviour in practice by
taking a more measured look
at it?
I noticed that, now I'm able to confidentiality talk
with anyone with the support of my good
communication skills. People feel well when they
talk with me. In short' now I'm able to put positive
impression on others.
What observations does any
person helping me to reflect
on my practice make of the
way I acted at the time?
In that group discussion, when I was observed
good body language of my one colleague, I get
impressed. That's why that person helped me in
knowing body language is also a bigger part of
communication skills.
Part B
3. Now What? 300 words Proposed actions following the event
What are the implications for
others and me in practice,
based on what I have
described and analysed?
Those people or personalities really impact me
who has effective communication skills. On the
other hand my existing skills currently helping me
to positively impact on others. If I'll become a team
leader in the future, then I can easily manage my
team with the support of my these skills.
Will it make a difference if I
choose to do nothing?
No, that thing will not impact me, because I only
avoid doing that tasks which negatively impacts
me. I always try to learn something from each
situation. That's why I'm capable to manage all
implications.
Where can I get information
If I will face similar situation, then I get informed
from internally, because now I already learnt how

from, if I were to face a
similar situation again?
to deal with different situations.
Do I need help to assist me to
‘action’ the results of my
reflections?
Yes, in need help to assist me, because many
times we face some challenges where we are only
able to solve them. That's why self-assistance is
necessary. Self-assistance is too necessary to me
for giving additional support to me.
Which aspect/s should be
addressed first?
Communication aspect should be addressed first,
because with the support of extra ordinary
communication we can achieve many productive
things in life.
How will I know if I am
different in clinical practice?
If I'll not satisfy with my performance and
workability, then I'll able to know my skills are not
much effective. On the other side, if I'll satisfy with
my performance, then I can realize my current
skills are good enough.
What is the main learning that
I can take from reflecting on
my practice?
The main learning is, I can easily improve level of
my performance, behaviour and experience if I
have effective communication skills. These are
such skills which always run your careen in
progressive path. Without these skills I will not
gain positive results in my personal life.
In conclusion this essay I have described a time when I…(WHAT IS THIS WORK
ABOUT?). After reflecting, I feel…(HOW DO YOU FEEL AFTER REFLECTING?)
List of References
Driscoll. J. (1994). Reflective practice of practice. Senior nurse. Vol.13 Jan/Feb.47-
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