D235 Reflection Paper on Interprofessional Communication in Healthcare

Phillip December 9, 2025 No Comments

D235 Task 1 Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare Reflection

Name

Western Governors University

D235 Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare

Prof. Name

Date

Part One: Working Style

What is your working style based on the energy assessment?

Based on the results of my working style self-assessment, my Explore energy was evaluated as Deliberate+, illustrating that I approach exploration with thoughtfulness and purpose rather than impulsivity. My Excite energy received an Abundant+ rating, showing high enthusiasm, sociability, and a positive approach to teamwork. Additionally, my Examine energy was marked as Deliberate+, suggesting that I rely on careful analysis before drawing conclusions. Lastly, my Execute energy was categorized as Deliberate, indicating a balanced and measured level of decisiveness and action when completing tasks.

What are your primary strengths in your working style?

A prominent strength in my working style is creativity, which aligns with my high Explore energy. I naturally enjoy developing innovative ideas and evaluating the long-term implications of my decisions. This deliberate and forward-thinking nature helps me approach challenges strategically.
Another core strength is interpersonal engagement. The 5 Dynamics assessment highlighted Excite energy as one of my highest domains, indicating that I thrive in collaborative environments and bring humor, encouragement, and enthusiasm to team interactions. I genuinely value understanding others’ perspectives, which enhances group cohesion and morale.

What challenges do you face in your working style?

Despite these strengths, one key challenge I face is decision-making. My relatively lower Execute energy suggests that I may hesitate when faced with decisive action. I tend to overanalyze situations, which occasionally leads to delays in task completion or even procrastination. This hesitation often arises when multiple directions seem viable, making it difficult to select a clear path forward. Recognizing this tendency has encouraged me to focus on building confidence in quick decision-making and follow-through.

How do you prefer to learn?

My preferred learning style combines visual and hands-on methods. I absorb concepts best when I can observe examples, engage in discussion, or practice what I am learning. While reading is helpful, interactive learning and real-world application ensure that the material is more meaningful and memorable.

How do your working energies manifest in daily life and teamwork?

In daily interactions, I primarily express traits from both the Explore and Excite energy categories. I am proactive in initiating tasks and prefer leading by example rather than issuing directives. Humor is a consistent element in my approach, as it fosters a positive and motivating environment.
In collaborative settings, I perform best when paired with teammates who demonstrate strong Energy and Execute dynamics—those who are organized, detail-oriented, and decisive. Such individuals complement my creative and relational strengths by ensuring that structure and action follow inspiration and innovation.

Table 1

Working Style Overview

Working Style Aspect	Description	Energy Group
Creativity	Develops innovative ideas; considers long-term impacts	Explore (Deliberate+)
Interpersonal Interaction	Uses humor, optimism, and active engagement with others	Excite (Abundant+)
Decision-Making Challenge	Hesitates due to overanalysis; struggles with quick execution	Execute (Deliberate)
Learning Preference	Learns visually and through hands-on experience	Mixed
Leadership Style	Leads by example; fosters positivity without authoritative control	Explore & Excite
Ideal Partner Strengths	Organized, decisive, detail-oriented, and vocal leadership	Energy & Execute

Part Two: Communication

Describe a recent communication experience and your role in it.

In a recent discussion involving my wife’s family, I served as the moderator and fact-checker during a conversation about complex family dynamics. As an outsider, I posed clarifying questions to ensure accuracy and often highlighted when speculation replaced factual understanding. I encouraged the group to withhold judgment until more information became available. This reflects my communication preference for honesty, accuracy, and emotional restraint, aligning with the “accuracy-sincerity” zone on the conversation meter.

How do you vary your listening styles?

My listening approach changes depending on the environment. In personal settings, particularly with my spouse, I practice authentic listening, which emphasizes empathy and emotional connection. However, at work, I balance empathy with analytical listening, ensuring that objectivity and understanding coexist. While I strive to maintain focus, I acknowledge that emotional fluctuations can affect my ability to remain fully attentive in personal settings.

Can you provide an example of productive communication at work?

One significant example occurred when my manager addressed an error in my documentation process. She communicated with sincerity and precision, focusing on correction rather than blame. This nonjudgmental approach fostered openness and mutual respect, turning a potential point of conflict into a collaborative learning opportunity.

What are your general communication tendencies?

I generally communicate with a blend of accuracy and authenticity. I enjoy engaging others through thoughtful questions and inclusive dialogue. With close family members, my communication tends to be more direct, often centered around advice or encouragement. I value purposeful conversations and tend to avoid superficial or unproductive dialogue, which supports the development of deeper and more meaningful relationships.

How do you manage challenges in communication?

Occasionally, my desire to avoid conflict leads me to adopt pretensive communication strategies, which can create misunderstandings. Recognizing this, I actively practice using the Ladder of Listening—a reflective tool that promotes shared understanding and emphasizes listening for meaning rather than simply responding. This awareness has helped me develop more transparent and value-driven communication patterns.

Table 2

Communication Summary

Communication Aspect	Description
Role in Family Discussion	Ensured accuracy; discouraged assumptions; emphasized factual clarity
Listening Style Variations	Authentic in personal life; empathetic yet objective in professional spaces
Work Communication Example	Manager’s constructive, factual feedback encouraged open dialogue
General Style	Balances honesty and accuracy; prefers purposeful engagement
Communication Challenges	Tendency toward conflict avoidance; works on improving authentic dialogue

Part Three: Reflection / Hero’s Journey

What were your impressions of the mindfulness exercises?

The mindfulness exercises were transformative, helping me recognize how easily my thoughts become cluttered. Focusing on a single sense at a time enhanced my mental clarity and allowed me to be more present in daily interactions. This heightened awareness has not only improved my emotional regulation but also enhanced my listening and communication effectiveness.

What challenges did you face with mindfulness and reflection?

Initially, I found mindfulness challenging due to constant distractions and a tendency to move quickly from one thought to another. Reflecting on past conversations was equally difficult since I prefer to stay forward-focused. However, with consistent effort, I learned to approach these reflections as opportunities for personal growth rather than as uncomfortable revisitations of the past.

What did you find most valuable in the course?

The Conversation Meter was among the most valuable tools I discovered. It provided a structured way to assess the quality of my communication, encouraging deliberate and mindful engagement. By recognizing when conversations drift toward superficiality or pretense, I can consciously redirect them toward value and connection.

How does Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs relate to your profession?

In nursing, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs offers a clear framework for prioritizing patient care. Ensuring patients’ physiological and safety needs are met forms the foundation for addressing emotional, social, and self-actualization goals. This hierarchy promotes a holistic understanding of patient well-being, guiding compassionate and effective healthcare delivery.

How might you share these insights with your family?

I intend to introduce my family to mindfulness practices as an accessible way to reduce stress and improve focus. These short exercises can easily integrate into daily routines and foster emotional balance. Additionally, encouraging my family members to complete the energy dynamics assessment could help them understand their personal work styles, improving collaboration and empathy within our household.

What habits and skills do you want to maintain or improve?

Moving forward, I aim to establish a daily mindfulness routine, ideally practiced each morning before engaging with technology. I also plan to apply the Listening Leader Tool regularly, using it to evaluate and refine my listening skills. Furthermore, I seek to strengthen my ability to communicate assertively—expressing authenticity without resorting to appeasement or avoidance.

Table 3

Reflection Insights and Actions

Reflection Aspect	Insights & Actions
Mindfulness Experience	Enhanced awareness; recognized mental clutter; improved focus
Challenges	Difficulty concentrating; discomfort revisiting conversations
Valuable Tools	Conversation meter; promotes intentional communication
Professional Application	Maslow’s model guides patient care prioritization in nursing
Family Sharing Plans	Introduce mindfulness and energy assessments for teamwork and awareness
Habits to Maintain/Improve	Daily mindfulness, reflective listening, assertive communication

References

Brownell, J. (2012). Listening: Attitudes, principles, and skills (5th ed.). Pearson.

Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396.

Rogers, C. R., & Farson, R. E. (1957). Active listening. In Communications in Business Today (pp. 49–53). D.C. Heath and Company.