D235 Task 1 Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare Reflection

D235 Task 1 Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare Reflection

Student Name

Western Governors University

D235 Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare

Prof. Name:

Date

Task 1: Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare Reflection

Part One: Working Style

Personal Energy Assessment

According to my 5 Dynamics assessment, my energy profile revealed distinct patterns in four domains. My Explore energy level was rated as Deliberate+, indicating a thoughtful yet creative approach to new ideas. Excite energy was rated as Abundant+, signifying high enthusiasm and interpersonal engagement. Examine was also assessed as Deliberate+, showing a reflective and analytical mindset. Finally, Execute energy was rated as Deliberate, which suggests a steady but sometimes cautious approach to implementing tasks.

To better illustrate these energy levels, the following table summarizes my results and corresponding characteristics:

Strengths in the Workplace

My foremost strength lies in creativity, a trait reinforced by my highest score in the Explore energy category. I naturally enjoy identifying innovative solutions and exploring multiple possibilities before committing to a course of action. Creativity allows me to anticipate the broader implications of decisions, aligning with long-term organizational goals.

Another major strength is my interpersonal engagement. Scoring highly in the Excite energy dimension indicates my enthusiasm and ability to connect with others. I often use humor to diffuse tension and maintain optimism in challenging situations. My approachable demeanor fosters an inclusive and supportive work environment—critical attributes for effective interprofessional collaboration in healthcare (Bishop et al., 2021).

Areas for Improvement

Despite these strengths, I recognize challenges in decision-making and procrastination. My relatively lower score in the Execute energy domain reflects a tendency to overanalyze, leading to indecisiveness and delays. I frequently weigh multiple perspectives, which, while valuable, can impede timely action. Similarly, at the outset of complex projects, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by numerous possibilities, leading to postponement.

To address this, I plan to adopt structured decision-making frameworks, such as the DECIDE model (Define, Establish, Consider, Identify, Develop, Evaluate). This model can support my creative tendencies while promoting accountability and efficiency (Tuck et al., 2022).

Learning Preferences

I identify as both a visual and kinesthetic learner. I retain information best when engaging with visual materials, demonstrations, or hands-on practice. Learning through interactive discussions enhances my comprehension, as it integrates multiple sensory modalities. This multimodal learning approach helps sustain focus and improves retention, aligning with evidence-based adult learning principles in healthcare education (Knowles et al., 2020).

Teamwork and Complementary Skills

In collaborative settings, I tend to embody the characteristics of the Explore and Excite energies—visionary thinking and social engagement. My leadership style is primarily participative, emphasizing role modeling rather than directive control. Humor and positivity are integral to my leadership approach, fostering team cohesion.

To achieve balance, I prefer partners who excel in Examine and Execute energies—those who are organized, structured, and detail-oriented. This complementary dynamic ensures that while I focus on innovation and motivation, my partner maintains operational accuracy and follow-through. The following table highlights this complementary partnership:

This synergy promotes comprehensive project outcomes where innovation meets precision.

Part Two: Communication

Question: How do I communicate with others, and what have I learned about my listening styles?

Recently, I participated in a sensitive discussion involving my wife and her family regarding complex family relationships. During this conversation, participants exhibited varying listening modes, ranging from empathetic to reactive. As a relative outsider, I found myself focusing primarily on accuracy—asking clarifying questions and challenging speculative statements to ensure fairness and factual grounding. This reflective approach aligns with the accuracy and sincerity regions of the conversation meter (Glaser, 2014).

At work, I also tend to combine sincerity and accuracy in communication. When addressing professional concerns or offering feedback, I strive to remain factual, empathetic, and constructive. For instance, when discussing documentation errors with my manager, her non-punitive, factual feedback encouraged a productive exchange. Such interactions exemplify the value of transparent, psychologically safe communication in healthcare settings (O’Daniel & Rosenstein, 2021).

Listening Styles and Emotional Awareness

I consider myself an empathetic listener who adjusts listening modes depending on context. In personal relationships, particularly with my wife, I aim for authenticity, characterized by open dialogue and emotional awareness. However, I also recognize that stress and mood fluctuations can shift my listening quality. During disagreements, a lapse in authenticity often correlates with minor conflicts.

In professional contexts, I frequently rely on accurate listening, focusing on facts and minimizing speculation. I find that coworkers perceive me as trustworthy and purposeful in communication. This accuracy-driven style reinforces my credibility and fosters positive workplace relationships.

Cycles of Value and Waste in Conversations

According to Glaser’s (2014) Laws of Conversation, effective communication fosters cycles of value when participants feel heard and respected. Conversely, cycles of waste occur when authenticity is absent. I have occasionally communicated from a place of pretense—seeking to avoid conflict rather than engage meaningfully. Recognizing this, I now aim to enter discussions with genuine curiosity and reduced bias, which enhances collaboration and trust (Foronda et al., 2016).

I also found the Ladder of Listening model particularly insightful, as it identifies progressive stages of engagement—from passive hearing to active understanding. Applying this framework helps me recognize the purpose of conversations and align my responses to create mutual understanding.

Part Three: Reflection and Hero’s Journey

Mindfulness and Self-Awareness

Engaging in mindfulness exercises at the beginning of the course was both challenging and revealing. I discovered how mentally “busy” I often am. By focusing on one sense at a time, I achieved greater mental clarity and awareness. Mindfulness has since become a valuable practice for enhancing focus and reducing stress in both professional and personal contexts (Kabat-Zinn, 2018).

Reflecting on past conversations also deepened my understanding of my own communication tendencies. The Conversation Meter tool provided a practical framework for assessing my interactions, helping me shift from reactive responses to intentional dialogue. This tool can significantly enhance interprofessional communication by encouraging active listening and authentic engagement (Foronda et al., 2016).

Application to Professional Practice

In nursing and healthcare leadership, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs remains foundational. Recognizing patients’ unmet physiological or safety needs helps prioritize interventions before addressing higher-order psychosocial or self-fulfillment goals (Maslow, 1943). By integrating mindfulness and communication awareness, I can better meet patients’ holistic needs and promote compassionate care.

To support my family and colleagues, I plan to share mindfulness strategies that promote relaxation and emotional regulation. Encouraging them to take the Energy Dynamics Assessment can help identify strengths and areas for growth, enhancing teamwork and empathy across relationships.

Sustaining Growth and Development

Several strategies will help maintain my professional and personal growth:

1. Consistent Mindfulness Practice:
   Establishing a daily morning mindfulness routine, even for five minutes, can improve focus and emotional regulation. Consistency is essential to forming lasting habits.

2. Reflective Listening Leadership:
   Regularly assessing my listening effectiveness during conversations will ensure I remain engaged and empathetic. Reflection journals or debriefing after discussions can reinforce awareness.

3. Managing Bioreactions:
   I tend to default to appeasing behaviors during conflict to maintain harmony. Developing assertiveness and emotional resilience will help me engage authentically and resolve issues constructively.

By continuously applying these tools, I can embody the principles of authentic leadership, integrating mindfulness, communication, and empathy into my healthcare practice (Avolio & Gardner, 2005).

References

Avolio, B. J., & Gardner, W. L. (2005). Authentic leadership development: Getting to the root of positive forms of leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 16(3), 315–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2005.03.001

Bishop, S. R., et al. (2021). Interprofessional collaboration and leadership in healthcare: The role of emotional intelligence and mindfulness. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 35(2), 235–243. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2020.1824975

Foronda, C., MacWilliams, B., & McArthur, E. (2016). Interprofessional communication in healthcare: An integrative review. Nurse Education in Practice, 19, 36–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2016.04.005

Glaser, J. E. (2014). Conversational intelligence: How great leaders build trust and get extraordinary results. Bibliomotion.

Kabat-Zinn, J. (2018). Meditation is not what you think: Mindfulness and why it is so important. Hachette Books.

D235 Task 1 Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare Reflection

Knowles, M. S., Holton, E. F., & Swanson, R. A. (2020). The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development (9th ed.). Routledge.

Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346

O’Daniel, M., & Rosenstein, A. H. (2021). Professional communication and team collaboration. In Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses (2nd ed.). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Tuck, C., et al. (2022). Structured decision-making models in healthcare leadership: Enhancing accountability and outcomes. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(4), 987–995. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13522