Reflective Writing By Gibbs Reflective Cycle - Essay Example

Refrective Writring By Gibbs Refletive Cycle Introduction Gibbs reflective cycle is a model used in reflecting writing or evaluation. It consists of six stages of reflection. The stages include description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan. Using the Gibbs 1988 reflective model, the essay will give a reflection of an incidence that happened in a landscaping site (Jasper, 2003). Currently, I am on my fist assignment on my practical attachment. I was supervising grading work on a site where my employer had a landscaping contract. These being the early stages of the project, I was helping my seniors with planning and supervising the grading work on the site. The incident occurred one morning when I was inspecting the work with my senior and other junior staff. I was due to give a brief on cost capitalization on the project and how the weather will affect the time taken to complete the project. In addition, I had to highlight an environmental error that had happened during work. My manager, the client, and other members of staff were present during this incident. I was in front of the crowd as I started giving the brief. I began by highlighting the environmental error that had occurred in the project. From the looks and facial expressions I received from my boss, I knew I was not articulate enough and this left me shaking from the inside. The other members of staff were sympathetic and understanding, even the client was patient enough to give me time to regain my composure. However, the manager was impatient and unsympathetic. He responded by taking over the whole process while I remained there in front, trying very hard not to show my embarrassment. I left the place after the brief was over, walking alone as I did not want to talk to anyone. Feelings At the time, I felt very miserable. I was even contemplating giving up to look for attachment in another firm. I was very embarrassed and extremely upset by my failure to deliver and communicate in front of the audience. I was unable to make the point on the importance of upholding the landscape code in our work. This is the code of conduct for practicing landscapers that is given by the landscape institute. This is a professional organization seeking protection and conservation of natural and built environment through promotion of landscaping. I was very angry with my boss because of his response in the presence of the client and other junior members of staff. Afterwards, I felt that he was not patient. He had denied me the opportunity to present a solution that would have satisfied the client. Similarly, he had failed in upholding our professional code of conduct. I also felt the he never bothered to understand the consequences and implications of his action to the junior staff, and the confidence of the client. The instance left me distressed. I felt terribly demotivated and unwilling to report to work any time soon. I proceeded to take a one week sick off to recover from that experience. That is when I took time to reflect on the whole episode, at the end of which I decided to communicate to my boss. It also occurred to me later that it is normal to make a mistake or have misunderstandings with working colleagues in the course of duty. This reduced my sense of embarrassment and anger. It also helped me realize that anyone can make a mistake and that how one handles the mistake determines how one if affected. I also realized that it is good practice to take responsibility in the event that a mistake has been made. Instead of resorting to blame oneself or others, the best way is to look forward to solving the problem. Evaluation During that time, I was feeling that the situation was not about be resolved and that I did not know when or how it would be resolved or whether it would ever be resolved. I left the scene deliberately after the brief without communicating to my boss, other staff members, or the client. However, after consulting some of my friends and fellow trainees, I came to realize that they have also encountered a similar problem of leaking information to the wrong party. This incident brought about misunderstandings with some bosses who are not very strict in upholding the professional code. This is mainly due to ignorance and delegating work to junior staffs who may not be well conversant with procedures. Analysis The situation was worsened by my actions as well as those of my boss. It is my feeling that I should have confronted him instead of letting him take control of the whole process. I also feel that I should have expressed my feelings immediately instead of waiting for another day. It is preferable to deal with such a situation immediately. I spoke to my boss after one week after failing to report to work the whole week. Similarly, I did not meet with the other members of staff. I only happened to meet the boss in a formal meeting after resuming from my sick off. The situation was worsened by delaying to act and not taking it to the authority figure. However, the boss could have taken it as a form harassment, something that could have made the problem worse, leading to more future problems. The situation was also worsened by the boss’ actions as he refused to give me time to compose myself. In effect, he deliberately embarrassed me in front of the crowd. Even though the boss claimed the he was preventing me from presenting the wrong report, I feel that this was not the case. The boss also feels that I should have informed him of the error and that we should have discussed the issue before the presentation. In addition, he also felt that we should have discussed the misunderstanding immediately instead of waiting for one week before doing so. Conclusion Following what happened in this case, I would act differently on certain matters. For instance, I should have contacted my boss immediately after the presentation to express my opinion and concerns. I ought to have been more assertive to informed him of my ability to handle the presentation. In addition, I should have provided a solution to the problem to satisfy the client. However, the situation helped me recognize the value of enhancing my relationship with the boss as this is a fundamental skills required for my success in the attachment and my professional development. If I had this kind of professional relationship with my boss, I would have informed him of the importance of rectifying the error. Similarly, I would have informed the boss about the issue. I would have known his stand on the application of the landscape institute code and how he does it in his firm. This would have availed me the chance to discuss the strategies of handling such situations. This way, the incident would have been avoided. Action Plan In future, I will make an effort to create a close relationship with my bosses to understand the internal working structures and management in organizations. However, I would let my stand be known as far as application of the professional code is concerned. I would also enhance a close relationship with my colleagues. I would also seek to understand their views on the same to enable me to take the appropriate action as far as the application of the code is concerned. I have taken the proactive approach. As a result, we are having a beneficial conversation with one of the managers on plans to discuss strategies of applying the landscape code. In addition, we plan to educate the junior staff and management on the necessity to apply the code. I plan to do this gradually to avoid pressure and to allow all stakeholders to have discussions. At the same time, I will be able to understand the feelings of others about the same. This will help me to learn more on the subject and also learn management skills from other experienced members of staff. In the training program, I have invited experts from the landscape institute to help with the training. This experience will help me improve my management skills. In addition, it will help my colleagues and other staff members gain more knowledge about the landscape institute code of conduct and practice. Work cited Jasper, M. 2003. Beginning reflective practice. Cheltenham, Nelson Thornes. Read More