Reflective Essay on Effective Communication & Performance Improvement

This reflective essay delves into the significance of effective communication within a professional setting, utilizing Driscoll's model of reflection (What? So What? Now What?). The essay details a real-world scenario where the student struggled with communication during a product launch, hindering their ability to connect with customers and meet sales targets. Through introspection, the student analyzes their feelings, reactions, and the actions of others involved, recognizing the need to improve communication skills. The 'So What?' section examines the impact of ineffective communication on performance and explores the student's evolving understanding of communication's role in achieving goals. The 'Now What?' section outlines proposed actions, including time management, prioritization, and seeking feedback, to enhance communication skills and improve future performance. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of communication in organizations and the effectiveness of the Driscoll model for self-reflection and professional growth, leading to improved communication and active listening skills, and references relevant literature on the topic.

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?
I learned that effective communication plays a great
role in a n organization which helps us to make relation
with people. The main purpose of communication and
carrying out Driscoll model is to understand that it is
highly essential to have communication skills in order
to achieve goals and objectives.
What happened in the
event/scenario? The whole incident basically started when a new
product was launched by the company. In order to
increase the sale of that product, teams were being
formed. I was being placed in a sub sales team where I
was assigned with the task to connect with the customer
and convince them to purchase the product. Due to
improper communication, I was not able to effectively
communicate with the customers (Oetzel, 2017).
What did I see/do during the During the whole event, I tried to recognize and find

event? the best solution for getting out of this situation. I
realized during the whole event that most of the
colleagues were able to effectively convince the
customers and were manipulating them in appositive
way for purchasing the product. I tried to observe them
and analyzed their way of talking, terminologies they
were using etc.
What was my reaction to it?
My reaction towards the whole event was highly
confusing. I was afraid and at the same time was
anxious as I was not able to increase the sale of product.
I was not able to effectively pitch the features of
product to the customers due to my ineffective
communication. I realized that I need to rectify and
improve my communication skills in order to increase
sales and reach my sales target.
What did other people do that
were involved in this?
The other people like colleagues and my leader were
doing their best by reaching their sales target and
increasing the customer base. They were highly
affected by my ineffective communication and tried to
make me understand that what I need to improve and
where I was lacking behind (Thompson, 2018).
How did they react or what
did they do as a result of it?
Many other employees who were also facing problem
in communicating and interacting with the customers
began to take advice from the leader and tried to
observe them. Besides they, also took the support of
internet on increasing their communication skills.

2. So What? 350 words Analyse the Event
How did I feel at the time of
the event?
After analyzing the whole situation, I realized that my
issue of ineffective communication was not significant
and will and might affect me to high extent. Dueing the
whole event, I felt highly anxious and nervous while
interacting with the customers and hesitate to resolve
their queries (Smith, R.G., 2019).
Were those feelings I had any
different from other people
who were involved at the
time?
My feelings were highly different from the other people
and colleagues as most of them were highly
experienced and were effective in communicating with
the customers. I realized that communication basically
have a great role to play in the achievement of goals
and objectives. I felt that if I need to excel in my future
then it is essential for me to increase my
communication skills not only to increase sale of
product but also to increase my performance.
Are my feelings now, after the
event, any different from what
I experienced at the time?
This incident helped me to understand that
communication is very important within organization
and thus forms the integral part of the life. I eventually
learned the importance of the effective communication
and thus decided to improve it. For overcoming
problems in interaction, I decided to communicate with
the customers more frequently
Do I still feel troubled, if so, in
The whole incident has basically helped me learn the

what way? essential of effective communication and inculcated
skills of interaction within me. This incident has
developed my overall communication with all the
people whether it is customers, clients, colleagues.
Besides this, it has also helped me to understand that
active listening is a well-through path to effective
communication (Perrott, Dinwoodie and DGM, 2016).
What were the effects of what
I did or did not do?
The main effect of the whole incident that I am now
able to interact with the my colleagues regarding the
various problems and activities. Besides this, I instantly
solve the problems of customers and resolve their al
queries effectively which has improved my overall
performance.
What positive aspects now
emerge for me from the event
that happened in practice?
The positive aspect which has emerged for me from this
event is that I have become a good listener now.
Besides this, I will basically try to increase the eye
contact with people and for increasing the impression
on other people, I can also use the string vocabulary.
What have I noticed about my
behaviour in practice by
taking a more measured look
at it?
One thing which I have noticed through this whole
event is that my behaviour towards other has changed.
The improvement within my communication has helped
me to understand that each and every person has their
own perception and viewpoints. Thus this incorporated
positive behaviour within me.
What observations does any
If the person cannot discuss his or her problems with the
elderly or other team members, then this greatly affects the
performance of the work. I knew that communication also

person helping me to reflect
on my practice make of the
way I acted at the time?
has a high influence on the person's behavior. Good
communication is useful for understanding the task well and
managing it properly, but if there is a lack of interaction
between people, then it turns into great conflicts, which
sometimes irritate a person, so that the individual becomes
negative about the place of the work.
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?
The major implication which can be drawn from the
whole incident is that communication plays a great role
within organization. Communication basically helps to
increase the productivity and is essential for growth.
Will it make a difference if I
choose to do nothing?
I realized that communication basically has great effect
on individual performance. When person improves the
communication skills then this leads to reduction in
confusion (Oetzel, 2017).
Where can I get information
from, if I were to face a
similar situation again?
At the moment, I can say that what happened to me is a
good example for me first and foremost I can take it from
the event that I had from my own experience
Do I need help to assist me to
‘action’ the results of my
reflections?
I managed to get the high marks in the academic
environment, which can ask questions about professionals
and professionals
the subject of understanding and you can get a good grade
on my exams. Then you can have the ability to talk about
my friends. This can use a communication network, then the
big organization can give you a chance and this can help
with bonuses and promotions. Therefore, we need to work

on my communication skills in order to have better
opportunities in the near future. I am working on it and,
gradually, are given myteam members interact well with
mine and are able to finish the task in time.
Which aspect/s should be
addressed first?
The main aspects which should be addressed first are
time management and prioritization of work. These two
aspects are the main ladder to effective communication.
How will I know if I am
different in clinical practice?
I will come to know that whether I am different within
clinical practice or not from results of my work and
activities and their outcomes.
What is the main learning that
I can take from reflecting on
my practice?
The major learning which I could take from the
reflection is gaining the good and effective
communication skills. I will be able to actively listen to
other people and find alternative solutions to the
problems (Thompson, 2018).
CONCLUSION
It has been summarized that communication is one of the most important aspect which is
essential within organizations. Driscoll model is the effective model which can be used by
people for reflecting upon one’s performance and thus consist of three stages what, so what and
now what. I feel highly confident after reflecting upon my communication skills because this has
helped me to improve my various skills like communication, listening etc.

List of References
Oetzel, J.G., 2017. Effective intercultural workgroup communication theory. The International
Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication.pp.1-5.
Perrott, V., Dinwoodie, M. and DGM, D., 2016. Effective communication reduces risk. Women's
Health.18(3).
Smith, R.G., 2019. For Effective Communication. Routledge.
Thompson, N., 2018. Effective communication: A guide for the people professions. Macmillan
International Higher Education.