Reflective Essay: Preparing for Success Using Driscoll's Model

This essay explores the importance of preparing for success through reflective practices, specifically using Driscoll's Model of Reflection. The author reflects on their experience as a team leader during a university event, focusing on their communication skills. While the author acknowledges their persuasive abilities and motivational skills, they also identify weaknesses in commanding and information-providing abilities, as well as active listening. The reflection highlights the impact of these weaknesses on team effectiveness and event outcomes. The author concludes by outlining actionable steps for improvement, including seeking feedback, attending seminars, and focusing on active listening and clear communication under pressure. The main takeaway is the critical role of effective communication in achieving success and fostering teamwork.

PREPARING FOR
SUCCESS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Driscoll Model of Reflection..................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Success is a phenomenon of consistency in accomplishment of personal goals and targets
that were set for an academic or professional activity or career (Miller and et. al., 2019). It is
necessary to ensure that appropriate preparation is performed in relation to success through
reflecting individually towards past experiences through which the performance could be
enhanced in future. Hence, below is a detailed reflection towards usage of communication skills
during a university event by using Driscoll Model of Reflection,
MAIN BODY
Driscoll Model of Reflection
What
The purpose of the overall event was related to organising of a university event with a
range of students belonging to different expertise levels, social, as well as cultural background.
In the scenario, it was required to formulate a team of different individuals who would be
responsible towards organising the university event, taking into account every requirement that
was necessary to make this a success. During this event, I acted as a team leader who was
responsible in aligning the material and human resources, set up role and duties and manage each
input in a way which drives the output effectively. Moreover, I was also required to set up
meetings, communicate with each and every team member about the issues and decisions that
were required to be taken with respect to this event.
My reaction to it was that I was really excited of organising this event and was also
amused by the fact of leading a team and being in charge of the whole scenario. The others that
were involved had different duties in regards to sound and light, administration, funding and
event planning. Their reaction was pretty much satisfied when they were allotted the roles as all
of that was determined as per their mindsets and talent,
So What
At the time of event, I was very positive as I believed that I have required and necessary
skills that were required to make this a success (Havrilla, Zbegner and Victor, 2018). Moreover,
I also knew that I practice several essentials of communication which would be beneficial for me
in dealing with individuals with different mindsets. In my perception, the feelings within me, as
well as that within other individuals were pretty much same as all of us were getting an
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opportunity to showcase our skills and become more effective in academic and professional
terms. After the event too, I am experiencing excitement for how best I can achieve success in
future prospects, as well as there is a significant amount of confidence that is related to my
communication abilities and competencies. However, there are things which are troubling me to
a great extent. It is associated with my weaker commanding and information providing abilities
in communication, as during the event, I failed to provide clear and accurate instructions to
members of what they should do, which made the overall event complex. Moreover, within team
meetings too, there were times when I didn’t hear the viewpoints of others which led to
ineffectiveness and conflict. The effects of these were associated with higher cost and more
scheduled time to accomplish the event in an appropriate manner (Epstein, 2018).
In relation to positive aspects however, I realised that I had necessary persuasive skills
which is required to solve a conflict. Moreover, my communication skills also allowed me to
manage the team members and motivate them in an even better manner. About my behaviour
through, I have noticed that I tend to be pressurised when there are complex situations, which
refrains me to take into account mindsets of others in an appropriate manner, which is necessary
to bringing in better outcomes within the event. Moreover, there were certain colleagues in this
event as well who worked with me and allowed me to reflect on my practice. The way I acted in
the event was noted by them and they provided an insight about my weaker communication
skills, in relation to active speaking or listening (Bledsoe, 2018).
Now What
In aspect of what is being analysed and described by me, its implication on others is that
my weaker commanding abilities and communication competencies can make it difficult for
them to work with me effectively. As for me, it might refrain me to ensure success in further
opportunities due to being an ineffective listener and speaker. If I choose to do nothing, then it
will surely make a difference in terms of me lagging behind towards achieving effective
possibilities towards my success in future academic career. Hence, if I come across the same
situation again, then I will be getting appropriate information from several journals and
professional books which describes the elements of communication that are necessary to be
understood and implemented by me in regards to ensure success in my professional career.
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Moreover, I would be approaching my tutors and assessors for their feedbacks, which would
highlight the areas that have wide scope of improvement.
I will be needing help of my seniors, along with my colleagues to achieve the expected
level of competence in regards to furnishing my communication skills. For this purpose, I will be
taking in seminars and conferences that would support me through this development. The aspects
that would be addressed first is active listening, at times of pressure, along with active speaking
while provision of instructions. Hence, the main learning which I am taking from this overall
experience is that communication is very necessary and important in order to enhance the scope
of success within the company, along with ensuring better teamwork that is necessary to make
activities a success (Wyner, 2019).
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded from the essay above that preparing for success is a very essential
task which requires an individual to consider all their experiences in order to enhance their
performances in their academic, as well as professional career, Moreover, using Driscoll Model
of Reflection is an effective way to ensure that all the past experiences are appropriately
reflected, along with determination of future actions for reaching better prospects for success.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bledsoe, R.K., 2018. Facing academic dismissal: An adaptive organizational approach preparing
all students for success. Community College Journal of Research and Practice. 42(7-8).
pp.550-563.
Epstein, J.L., 2018. School, family, and community partnerships: Preparing educators and
improving schools. Routledge.
Havrilla, E., Zbegner, D. and Victor, J., 2018. Exploring predictors of NCLEX-RN success: One
school's search for excellence. Journal of Nursing Education. 57(9). pp.554-556.
Miller, A., and et. al., 2019. Preparing Your Paraeducator for Success: Editor: Ferman
Konukman. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance. 90(5). pp.47-51.
Wyner, J.S., 2019. What excellent community colleges do: Preparing all students for success.
Harvard Education Press.
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