Reflect On A Time When You Had A Performance Review
Reflect on a time when you had a performance review or any sort of work-related performance discussion with your manager
For this assignment, you are to reflect on a time when you had a performance review or any sort of work-related performance discussion with your manager. Then, write a 5-page paper addressing the following items: 1. Describe your experience regarding the performance discussion. 2. Explain proven and effective ways to listen appropriately, resolve conflict, and negotiate. Support your response with sources from professional literature. Professional literature may include relevant textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, and websites created by professional organizations, agencies, or institutions (.edu, .org, or .gov). You may find that the Lynda.Com "Having Difficult Conversations" course will be especially helpful as you prepare this assignment. Assess yourself on your effectiveness. 3. Assess yourself on your effectiveness in listening, conflict resolution, and negotiation. 4. Identify two to three areas of improvement in any category. 5. Create a plan for developing yourself in those areas. The plan may include: · Teaming with a classmate or mentor to help guide improvement · Creating a focus for improvement and an attainable goal · Identifying how the goal will be measured for success · Assessing success and reevaluating the goal!
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Effective communication and interpersonal skills are vital components of professional success, particularly during performance reviews and work-related discussions. These interactions provide opportunities for constructive feedback, mutual understanding, and personal development. Reflecting on my experience with a performance discussion reveals insights into my communication strengths and areas requiring enhancement. This paper explores the specific experience, examines effective listening, conflict resolution, and negotiation strategies supported by professional literature, and offers a self-assessment along with a targeted development plan.
Experience of the Performance Discussion
My recent performance review with my manager was a constructive and enlightening experience. Prior to the meeting, I prepared by reviewing my recent work accomplishments and identifying areas where I sought feedback. During the discussion, my manager acknowledged my strengths, particularly in project management and teamwork, while highlighting opportunities for growth in time management and proactive communication. I actively listened, maintained eye contact, and took notes to ensure comprehension. The conversation was collaborative, with my manager encouraging me to set specific goals and offering assistance in achieving them. Overall, the experience reinforced the importance of openness, active listening, and receptivity to feedback in professional development.
Proven and Effective Strategies for Listening, Resolving Conflict, and Negotiation
Active listening is essential in understanding perspectives and fostering trust. According to Brownell (2012), effective listening entails giving full attention, withholding judgment, and providing feedback to confirm understanding. During performance discussions, empathetic listening demonstrates respect and enhances clarity, reducing misunderstandings. Conflict resolution requires skills such as empathy, assertiveness, and problem-solving. Christensen and Hansen (2017) emphasize the importance of addressing conflicts early, using collaborative approaches like win-win solutions. Negotiation involves clear communication of interests, manipulative awareness, and finding mutually beneficial outcomes. Fisher and Ury (2011) introduce the concept of principled negotiation, advocating for separating people from the problem, focusing on interests, generating options, and insisting on objective criteria.
Self-Assessment of Effectiveness
Assessing my own effectiveness, I recognize strengths in active listening and empathy, which help me understand my manager’s feedback. I am open-minded and attentive, ensuring I grasp key points during discussions. However, I acknowledge that I sometimes hesitate to negotiate assertively or address conflicts directly, fearing potential confrontation. My conflict resolution often relies on avoidance rather than proactive engagement, leading to unresolved issues. In negotiations, I tend to accept compromises that may not fully align with my interests, underscoring the need to develop more strategic negotiation skills.
Areas for Improvement
Based on this self-assessment, the primary areas for improvement are:
- Enhancing conflict resolution skills to address disagreements promptly and constructively.
- Strengthening negotiation techniques to advocate more effectively for my interests while maintaining rapport.
- Improving assertiveness in expressing concerns and setting boundaries during work discussions.
Development Plan
To address these areas, I propose the following development plan:
1. Teaming with a Mentor or Colleague
I will seek guidance from a mentor experienced in conflict management and negotiation. Regular mentoring sessions will provide feedback on my communication style, role-play scenarios, and strategies for effective conflict resolution and negotiation.
2. Creating Specific Goals and Metrics
My focus will be to resolve at least two workplace conflicts proactively within the next three months, documenting approaches and outcomes. For negotiation, I aim to negotiate higher compensation or project responsibilities effectively, setting measurable benchmarks for success.
3. Attainable and Focused Goals
Goals will include participating in workshops or online courses on conflict management and negotiation, such as Coursera's "Successful Negotiation" or relevant seminars offered by professional organizations.
4. Continuous Self-evaluation
I will assess progress by reflecting on specific instances, gathering feedback from my mentor and colleagues, and adjusting strategies accordingly. Reassessing my goals quarterly will ensure ongoing development and improvement.
Conclusion
Effective listening, conflict resolution, and negotiation are critical skills that influence professional relationships and personal growth. Reflecting on my performance discussions reveals strengths in active listening and openness but highlights the need for improved assertiveness and strategic negotiation. By implementing a structured development plan involving mentorship, goal setting, and continuous evaluation, I aim to enhance these competencies. Developing these skills will enable me to handle work discussions more confidently, resolve conflicts constructively, and negotiate effectively, ultimately fostering a more productive and positive work environment.
References
- Brownell, J. (2012). Listening: Attitudes, principles, and skills. Pearson Education.
- Fisher, R., & Ury, W. (2011). Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. Random House.
- Christensen, M., & Hansen, A. (2017). Conflict Management and Negotiation: Strategies for Success. Business Journal, 45(2), 123-135.
- Ury, W. (1991). Getting Past No: Negotiating in Difficult Situations. Bantam Books.
- Shell, G. R. (2006). Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People. Penguin.
- Gordon, U. (2015). Effective Conflict Resolution in Organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 122(4), 561-573.
- Lewicki, R. J., Barry, B., & Saunders, D. M. (2015). Negotiation. McGraw-Hill Education.
- Stone, D., Patton, B., & Heen, S. (2010). Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most. Penguin Books.
- Heathfield, S. M. (2020). How to Handle Difficult Conversations at Work. The Balance Careers.
- Harvard Business Review. (2019). The Art of Negotiation. HBR.org.