Reflective Essay: Impact of Communication on Performance and Behavior

This reflective essay examines the author's experiences in a professional setting, focusing on effective communication and its impact on performance and behavior, using Driscoll's model of reflection. The essay details a specific team meeting scenario where the author's lack of active listening and communication skills hindered their ability to contribute effectively. The author analyzes their reactions, the reactions of others, and the implications of the event, highlighting the importance of verbal and nonverbal communication, and active listening. The essay then proposes actionable steps for improvement, including enhancing verbal and non-verbal skills, and seeking feedback to improve future performance. The author concludes by emphasizing the crucial role of effective communication in personal and professional life and expresses a commitment to ongoing development and improvement.

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
At once I was participating in my annual team
meeting. An important discussion was going on
but I was not paying attention. Due to inability to
listen attentively, later on when debate round
started I was unable to share my opinion with
confidence. This incidence encouraged me to
improve my communication because my
performance was weakest among all other
participants.
What is/was the Purpose? The purpose of using Driscoll reflection model is to
reflect on my own practices so that I can make
significant improvement in my communication skill.
What happened in the
event/scenario?
Communication is defined as exchange of ideas
via verbal or nonverbal actions (Ruesch & et.al.,
2017). During team debate I was not able to
communicate effectively because my verbal
communication skills were not good. It created a
negative impact on my job situation as well. Along
with my verbal attitude, I was also not able to
make audience understand through nonverbal
actions like my body postures. I was nervous and
it made me really uncomfortable and ineffective in
delivery of my services.
What did I see/do during the
event?
During event I saw that for improving listening
skills people were noting down all necessary
points which helped them to deliver a better
response. Thus I observed that for effective
communication along with speaking, one must
also have good listening skills, verbal and
nonverbal communication skills. For example, if I
could have noted down all necessary points in

prior or if I could have use hand gestures then my
performance in meeting would have been
different.
What was my reaction to it? My reaction was very surprising because I used to
believe that I am very confident and I can easily
interact with anyone. However, at that time when I
was speaking in a group then it made me nervous
and less confident. Thus I decided that I will also
analyse my own strengths and will try to improve
my communication ability.
What did other people do that
were involved in this?
Other people were using various strategies to
enhance their listening abilities which helped them
to be more attentive and better communicator.
How did they react or what
did they do as a result of it?
As a result of the event other individuals felt
disappointed and inattentive towards me. Though
they did not made fun of me but they encouraged
me that I can also be a good speaker by improving
my communication skill.
2. So What? 350 words For the long term professional success, it is
necessary that I must make a self-evaluation of
myself so that improvement areas can be
identified.
How did I feel at the time of
the event?
At the time of event I was not aware that I can face
challenges in communication just because I was
not listening other speakers effectively. Thus when
the situation occurred I became very surprised.
Were those feelings I had any
different from other people
who were involved at the
time?
I think others were also having same feeling. It is
very difficult to express yourself in front of huge
audience. However, there were few who were
feeling confident about their thoughts and thus
were successful in creating a good impression on
other listeners.
Are my feelings now, after the
event, any different from what
I experienced at the time?
At present my feelings are quite different from that
during the event. At that time, I was nervous but
now I am quite excited and confident that with
improvement in verbal and non-verbal skills I will
also be soon able to confidently address audience.
Do I still feel troubled, if so, in
what way?
No, after analysis I don’t feel troubled anymore
because I think with few strategies and regular
practice I can also become a good listener and

good speaker.
What were the effects of what
I did or did not do?
When I did not pay attention to other speakers it
restricted my knowledge that how I can effectively
respond to claims of others.
What positive aspects now
emerge for me from the event
that happened in practice?
From the event I came to know different aspects of
communication. For example, contrary to my belief
I came to know that communication is not only
limited to speaking but it actually means to be
effective in verbal, nonverbal skills and to make
other understand your actual ideas.
What have I noticed about my
behaviour in practice by
taking a more measured look
at it?
By taking measured look at my own practice I
have noticed that along with listening skills I have
to do more hard work at my non-verbal skills. Like
I can also use body posture, gestures and
movement of hands to express my feelings.
What observations does any
person helping me to reflect
on my practice make of the
way I acted at the time?
The observations made by other person plays a
crucial role in reflection practice (Adler, Rodman &
Du Pré, 2016). I may ignore my flaws but other
people give clear indication and guidance on my
existing capabilities and improvement areas.
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?
I was happy and satisfied by learning new
communication skill as it helps me in improving my
vocabulary and ways to express my opinion to
other peoples. I am capable to express my opinion
to large number of people without any fear or
discomfort. But as per my opinion I have found

number of weakness in my communication skill
such as in verbal communication I was not able to
effectively choose appropriate words so that
another person can understood. While in writing I
have use more technical words that leads to
miscommunication and misunderstanding. I was
eager to express my view so does not able to
listen to other people.
Will it make a difference if I
choose to do nothing?
If I choose to do nothing, then I would never able
to learn various new things that can differentiate
with me other peoples.
Where can I get information
from, if I were to face a
similar situation again?
I can get information by taking feedback from
people to whom I communicate various
information that they have understood or not.
Do I need help to assist me to
‘action’ the results of my
reflections?
Yes, off course I need assist in learning new
communication skill and to evaluate various
development in my personality and in order to
remove my weaknesses.
Which aspect/s should be
addressed first?
I should think that address first verbal
communication skill as it is used at every stage of
my life whether it is personal or professional.
How will I know if I am
different in clinical practice?
I will get to know through continuous evaluation of
my performance and by asking my friend, relative
the way I exchanged various information to them.
What is the main learning that
I can take from reflecting on
my practice?
The thing that I can learn that communication play
important role in personal and professional life of
individual. It helps in effectively communication or
exchange of information between two people.
In conclusion this essay I have described a time when I was not able to speak or resist
to speak with other people about my view, opinion regarding particular topic while
performing function in my job. But as I kept on learning various skill to improve

communication I was able to know the importance and feel, happy, satisfied and
superior to others.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Driscoll. J. (1994). Reflective practice of practice. Senior nurse. Vol.13 Jan/Feb.47-
50
Ruesch, J., & et.al., (2017). Communication: The social matrix of psychiatry.
Routledge.
Adler, R.B., Rodman, G.R. & Du Pré, A., (2016). Understanding human
communication (Vol. 10). Oxford University Press.