University Work Experience Reflection and Gibbs Cycle Analysis

This report provides a self-reflection on work experience, specifically focusing on the role of a store manager, using the Gibbs reflective cycle. The report details the experience, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan. It discusses the positive aspects of the experience, such as supportive seniors and the development of new skills, while also addressing areas for improvement, like negotiation and leadership skills. The analysis delves into the reasons behind both successes and failures, highlighting the need for better customer interaction and conflict resolution. The conclusion identifies key learnings and proposes an action plan to enhance skills such as teamwork, self-management, and leadership, aiming for improved performance in future managerial roles. The report emphasizes the importance of self-reflection for continuous professional development.

Running head: REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
Name of Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
Executive Summary
Self-reflection refers to the ability of an individual to learn from his past experiences and make
application of the same learning for overcoming problems in future. Self-reflection helps an
individual to improve himself by identification of strengths and weaknesses and thereby making
efforts to overcome weakness. One of the most well-known models of reflection includes- Gibbs
reflective model. The main aim of the paper is to make application of the Gibbs reflective cycle
in order to understand the feelings of an individual in relation to their experience. The paper will
discuss about the stages of the Gibbs reflective cycle.

2REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................3
Gibbs reflective Cycle.........................................................................................................4
Description.......................................................................................................................4
Feelings............................................................................................................................5
Evaluation........................................................................................................................6
Analysis...........................................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................8
Action Plan......................................................................................................................9
Conclusion.........................................................................................................................10
References..........................................................................................................................11

3REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
Introduction
Self-reflection refers to the ability of an individual to carry out introspection and to learn
from the same. By practicing self-reflection, an individual can understand their strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Moreover self-reflection can help an individual in
improving and building their emotional awareness. Emotional intelligence includes the ability of
an individual to control their emotions, and also to manage their inter-personal relationships with
others by being able to properly control their emotions. Self-reflection helps an individual in
challenging their basic assumptions. Moreover it helps an individual to explore new approaches
and ideas for solving different problems that is being faced by an individual. Self-reflection helps
an individual in improving themselves (Tesh and Kautz 2017). One of the most famous models
that can be used by individuals for self-reflection is that of the Gibbs reflection cycle that is
divided into 6 main stages comprising of the description stage, feelings stage, evaluation,
analysis, the concluding stage and stage of creation of the action plan. The main aim of the paper
is to carry out a self-reflection on the work experience and to discuss about the feelings that were
experienced during the same with the help of the Gibbs reflective cycle. The paper will discuss
about the Stages of the Gibbs reflective cycle for the purpose of explanation of the feelings about
the work experience. The paper will also discuss about the action plan that can be adopted for the
purpose of improving of improving all those skills and competencies that are lacking and have
been identified through the self-reflection process.

4REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
Gibbs reflective Cycle
Figure 1: Gibbs Reflective Cycle
Source: (Tesh and Kautz 2017)
The Gibbs reflective cycle is used for the purpose of learning from past experiences and
making application of the same experience to overcome different problems in future. There are
six main stages in the Gibbs reflective cycle- description stage, feelings stage, evaluation stage,
analysis stage, conclusion stage and the stage of preparation of the action plan. The Gibbs
reflective cycle helps an individual to think systematically.
Description
The description stage of the Gibbs reflective stage discusses about the experience of the
individual, and therefore it also includes relevant and specific details about the entire experience

5REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
related to an event. I have been working as a store’s manager of a company. My overall
experience as a store manager has been good because I have been supported by my superiors in
the organization and also by my peers (Seggelen-Damen and Dam 2016). In fact it can be said
that I was working as a proud employee of the organization. Moreover I was motivated to work
in that company as the organizational climate was such that there was open communication in
the organization and every one behaved respectfully towards each other. I also got proper
guidance and advice regarding my work from my seniors. However I was also faced with a few
problems such as once I had to handle an angered customer and there were times where I was
required to show my communication and interpersonal skills and therefore I had to face many
problems.
Feelings
Feelings stage includes discussion on the feelings of the individual before and after the
experience with an event. It also includes- reaction of the individual during the event and also
includes- also includes description of the feelings during the event (Oham, Pestano and Allen
2016). Before working in the role of a store manager I failed to recognize the importance of the
role of a store manager. I previously thought that it was an administrative job and never thought
it would require leadership skills, team work skills, self-management skills, interpersonal or
communication skills. Therefore I was of an opinion that the job role of a store manager was
more of a daily routine job than handling critical situations. However during the experience I
started understanding the role of a store manager and understood the importance of the same
because I had to take many critical decisions. However I felt motivated because I was
continuously supported by my seniors whenever I approached them for help and support. In
many situations I was losing my patience because of the angered customers and there were also

6REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
situations in which I panicked as I was confused about taking a particular decision. Moreover
after the experience I felt that I had learnt a lot and I had identified all my strengths and
weaknesses. My overall experience as a store manager had been good.
Evaluation
The evaluation stage discusses about what all activities were carried out properly during
the activity. It will also discuss about the activities that went badly during the experience. Further
this stage also includes discussion on the way the experience ended and also whether it was
completed or incomplete. The activities that went well during the experience were that I learned
many new skills and improved my existing skills while I occupied the role of the store manager.
Further I was also able to identify my strengths and weaknesses and therefore I can take few
actions to overcome my weaknesses. Moreover what I really liked about my experience was that
I was supported by my seniors and also my paper that helped me in taking proper decisions and
improved my overall experience. What did not go properly during my experience was that I
found myself in situation where I wished my team working skills were better and also my
leadership skills. For instance in situations where I was faced with conflict between my team
members I was not able to properly handle the situation which was further leading to many
misunderstandings between the team members. However the overall experience was good
because we were able to reach agreement on the basis of open discussion and communication.
More
Analysis
The analysis stage of the Gibbs reflective cycle discusses about all those things that went
properly during the events and the reasons why everything went properly and also it includes
discussion on what went wrong during the event. Further this stage includes discussion on what

7REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
all activities are needed to be taken for avoiding all the negative consequences of the activities
undertaken. The experience was not so good because I was not able to negotiate properly with
my customers and as a consequence of the same though I was able to gain advantage for a short
period of time however it may have a negative impact on the customers. This is so because the
customers may feel that their opinion sis not being considered by the organization and therefore I
need to develop my negotiation skills. Therefore I did not show much empathy towards the
customers or his view point and that may not be taken positively by the customers because the
customers of the present world expect a more customer oriented approach and they also expect a
better experience. On the other hand, all those activities that went properly during the experience
includes a work culture and climate of support and cooperation. Therefore I was motivated at
work because I knew that in case I am faced with any situation I will get the advice and guidance
of my seniors and the organizational culture also allowed me to take suggestions from my peers.
And since I was supported at workplace by my seniors and managers I had a positive attitude
towards work. It was also one of the major reasons I was able to occupy my job role of a store
manager effectively and efficiently (Burr et al., 2016). Further what also improved my
experience was that I was able to influence the decisions of the customers that further motivated
me at work. I could have avoided the negative consequences by using the collaboration style of
negotiation because that would have given the customers an opportunity of keeping their views
in front of us. And moreover they would have felt that the organization also takes into
consideration their view point. And moreover it would have been a win-win situation for both the
customers and the organization. This in turn would have motivated the customers for repeat
purchase because of good customer’s experience. My contribution to the overall experience was
that I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses and therefore in case I am faced with

8REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
similar situations in the future I will be in a better position to take decisions. I also feel that my
experience would have been good if I had better communication and negotiation skills.
Conclusion
In the conclusion stage of the Gibbs reflective cycle, discussion is done on all those
activities that could have been done differently and also the learning from the previous
experiences. Further this stage helps in determination of the strengths and weaknesses. I could
have carried out better communication with the customers and thereby I could have contributed
to improving their shopping experience that could further have helped me in converting him into
loyal customers. However we have certain targets for sale and therefore I feel that the targets that
have been set for us stopped me from properly communicating with the customer as my main
motive at that time was to not let the customer return the goods and services and to increase our
sales. Further I feel that I could also have applied better leadership skills in certain situations in
order to initiate actions and that could have helped me to improve the overall customers
experience (Knapp, Gottlieb and Handelsman 2017). I have come to know about my strengths
and weaknesses during the entire experience. For instance I have good influencing power as I
was able to influence my customers into buying more goods and services however I feel that I
need to improve my negotiation skills, interpersonal skills, leadership skills and also team work
skills as these skills will help me in becoming a better store manager or a manager in future. I
was able to develop some of my skills while I occupied the position of the store manager such as
teamwork skills, influencing skills and communication skills. However, I also need to improve
other skills of mine.

9REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
Action Plan
Action plan includes identification of all those activities that can be done in order to be
prepared for the future. It helps in the determination of all those areas that can be improved for
self0developmemt and improvement. Through my self-reflection, I have identified my strengths,
weakness, opportunities and threats.
Skills Improving those skills Time period
Team work skills Team work skills can be
improved by building respect
and trust among employees,
by having open
communication in the
organization, by rewarding
and recognizing good work
and by clearly defining the
roles and responsibilities
within the team.
3-5 weeks
Self-management skills Self-management skills can be
improved by making a list of
activities that will be carried
out, prioritizing the same,
scheduling the same and being
flexible such that changes can
be made to it as and when
required.
2-3 weeks
Leadership skills Leadership skills can be
improved by practicing
discipline, inspiring others,
resolving all conflicts and also
by becoming a good listener
5-7 weeks
Communication skills Communication skills can be
improved by improving
listening skills, by being able
to engage people
2-4 weeks
Interpersonal skills Interpersonal skills can be
improved by improving the
emotional intelligence of
individuals.
4-6 weeks

10REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that self-reflection is one of the most
important activities that needs to be carried out by everyone as it helps in developing oneself by
identification of the different strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that are being
faced by the individual. Further self-reflection can help an individual in developing their
emotional intelligence. Through self-reflection a person becomes more capable to face problems
in future because they know where they could have gone wrong and therefore can avoid making
the same mistakes in future. It also helps an individual in learning from their past experience and
making application of the same to their future endeavor. From the paper the different feelings of
an individual through the application of the Gibbs reflective cycle has been understood.
Moreover from the paper the different stages of the Gibbs reflective cycle have been understood.
And the action plan that has been discussed in the paper can help in developing and improving
skills such as the team work, leadership, communication, self-management and interpersonal
skills.

11REFLECTION ON MY WORK EXPERIENCE
References
Burr, V., Blyth, E., Sutcliffe, J. and King, N., 2016. Encouraging self-reflection in social
work students: Using personal construct methods. British Journal of Social Work, 46(7),
pp.1997-2015.
Knapp, S., Gottlieb, M.C. and Handelsman, M.M., 2017. Enhancing professionalism
through self-reflection. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 48(3), p.167.
Oham, C.A., Pestano, C. and Allen, J., 2016. Social enterprise and the wider community:
one possible model. International Journal of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 4(2),
pp.172-181.
Seggelen-Damen, I.V. and Dam, K.V., 2016. Self-reflection as a mediator between self-
efficacy and well-being. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 31(1), pp.18-33.
Tesh, A.S. and Kautz, D.D., 2017. Using Reflective Practice in a Leadership
Course. Nurse educator, 42(3), pp.117-119.