University of Maryland, College Park

Pearl Diving Assignment 2

Cierra Hargrove

Communication for Project Managers: ENCE424

Dr. Shana Webster-Trotman

October 21, 2023

Introduction
The journey of self-discovery is a fascinating and often enlightening experience. Our
personalities are multifaceted, and understanding the intricacies of our unique traits can be both
revealing and challenging. In this essay, I will explore my communication skills in different
professional interactions, a personal story of a time I faced adversity, and the results of a recent
personality assessment. I will look into the aspects of Big Five Personality traits: openness,
conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. This assessment not only
illuminates the dimensions of my personality but also offers a lens through which I can better
comprehend how these traits shape my daily life, influence my personal relationships, and
impact my professional endeavors. Practicing how I will communicate in future personal or
professional situations will help me prepare for when these situations actually occur. I will delve
into the implications and applications of this newfound self-awareness, shedding light on areas of
strength and areas where growth is needed. As I continue on this journey of self-discovery I
explore the fascinating intricacies of the human personality and the insights it provides into our
lives.

Email to the Team

Hello Team,

I hope this email finds you well, and I want to express my gratitude for all of the hard work each
of you has put into your individual roles in our team. There is a clear commitment to the team
goals and we all understand the importance of the work we do. Despite this commitment, I would
like to discuss some specific issues that may be affecting our overall performance.

I want to emphasize that my role as a team leader is to create an environment of trust and open
communication. I strive to represent our values of collaboration, accountability, and excellence
through leading by example. I feel that is my duty to remain honest and transparent with you all,
and bring up the fact that our recent performance has not been to the highest standards that I
know we can achieve.

To get into specifics, our recent performance data clearly shows a decline in the key performance
indicators we've set for ourselves. This is in relation to meeting project deadlines, obtaining new
clients, and maintaining quality standards, in which we are falling short in multiple areas. This
decline is not only impacting our reputation but also our long-term prospects as a team and as
individuals.
Some specific issues that have come to my attention include:
​ - Missed deadlines on critical projects, leading to increased stress and dissatisfaction
among our clients.
​ - A decrease in the quality of our work, which has resulted in an increased number of
errors and revisions.
 ​ - A decline in overall team morale, with increasing frustration and poorer work-life
balance.

I understand that these findings can be disheartening and that we all have unique challenges and
obstacles to overcome. We have faced an especially demanding year, both personally and
professionally, and this has undoubtedly impacted our performance. However, it's essential that
we view this as an opportunity for growth and change.
I want to stress that I have complete faith in your abilities, and I believe that we can overcome
these challenges. We are a team, and our collective strength is far greater than our individual
struggles. Let's harness the power of our teamwork, camaraderie, and shared goals to improve
our performance.
Moving Forward: To address these performance issues and work toward a solution, I propose the
following actions:
​ - An open forum for each team member to voice their concerns, suggestions, and ideas.
​ - A thorough review of our processes and workflows to identify areas of improvement.
​ - Setting clear and achievable goals and expectations for each team member.
​ - Regular check-ins and progress assessments to keep us on track.
​ - Investing in training and professional development where needed.

I am confident that, together, we can turn this situation around and emerge stronger and more
resilient. I encourage each of you to take a moment to reflect on how we can collectively
contribute to our team's success. Let's come together, reaffirm our commitment to excellence,
and pave the way for a brighter future for our team. I'm here to support each of you, and I'm
committed to seeing you through these difficult times. Thank you for your dedication and hard
work, and let's begin this journey of improvement together.

Sincerely,
Your Team Leader

A Crucial Scenario
In a situation where my boss publicly called me an "idiot" in front of the entire team, it
would undoubtedly be a challenging and emotionally charged moment. However, applying the
principles and techniques from the Crucial Conversations book, I would approach this scenario
with a focus on achieving my goals while maintaining mutual respect and a safe environment for
dialogue.
First and foremost, I would Start with Heart, emphasizing "Work on Me First, Us
Second" (Grenny). Recognizing that I can only control my own behavior and not my boss's, I
would take a moment to reflect on my motives and what I genuinely want to achieve in this
situation. My personal goals would include maintaining my self-respect, addressing the issue
constructively, and fostering a professional and respectful work environment. This self-reflection
helps me respond rather than react. I would then Refuse the Fool's Choice, recognizing that there
is no need to choose between letting my boss's insult slide (to keep the peace) and confronting
him aggressively (potentially damaging the relationship) (Grenny). Instead, I'd focus on finding a
way to address the issue while respecting both our needs. By making it clear that I don't want to
accept such disrespectful behavior but also want to maintain a professional working relationship,
I can begin to shape my response.
Before reacting too quickly or initiating the conversation I would scrutinize my behavior
during the initial incident, acknowledging any feelings of anger, humiliation, or frustration. This
self-awareness would help me understand the emotions driving my actions at the moment. I
would also question my own story, realizing that I could be assuming my boss's intentions
without concrete evidence. This would enable me to approach the conversation with a more open
mind.
Now, to Make It Safe, I would decide which condition of safety is at risk (Grenny). In
this case, both Mutual Purpose and Mutual Respect are compromised. My boss may believe I'm
not aligned with the team's goals (Mutual Purpose) and that I don't respect him (Mutual Respect).
I would need to address these concerns. To restore safety, I would choose an appropriate moment
to address the incident privately with my boss. I would express my concern about the comment
made in the meeting and its impact on our working relationship. It's crucial to adopt a calm and
respectful tone to prevent further escalation. I would explain how the comment made me feel
disrespected and misunderstood in front of the team. By using Contrasting, I would clarify that
my intent is to contribute positively to the team's goals and that I value a constructive working
relationship with my boss. Creating a Mutual Purpose is the next step. I would emphasize my
commitment to achieving the team's goals and my desire for a professional, respectful working
environment. By identifying a shared interest in team success, I can help my boss see that our
purposes are not at odds.
During the conversation with my boss, I would appeal to ethos by maintaining
professionalism and respect throughout the dialogue, focusing on addressing the issue rather than
attacking my boss personally. By doing so, I would demonstrate my commitment to constructive
communication and resolution. Logos would be present in my argument, as I would emphasize
the importance of mutual respect and understanding within the team. I would also use logic to
support my point that such behavior is detrimental to team dynamics and productivity. Pathos
would come into play as I express how the incident made me feel disrespected and undermined,
appealing to my boss's empathy. By sharing my emotions and concerns, I aim to create a more
emotionally intelligent conversation that encourages understanding. The goal is to rectify the
situation, rebuild mutual respect, and ensure a more respectful and productive work environment,
and using these important skills from Crucial Conversations is the key to mastering this type of
dialogue.

Storytelling
 My initial semester of freshman year in college was a period marked by adversity, a time
when many incoming students, thrust into an unfamiliar new environment, confront uncertainty
and change. My journey began with a unique challenge; I hadn't been admitted as a regular
student into the university and was required to enroll in the Freshman Connection Program,
where classes were scheduled at night after regularly scheduled university hours. Quickly, I
realized that this program came with a certain 'label,' a perception that students like me were
somehow less academically accomplished. We were inadvertently regarded as 'leftovers' - those
who barely made the cut. It was a perspective I had never fathomed applying to me. With a high
school GPA of 4.3, graduating with highest honors (Cum Laude), and in the top 10% of my class,
I was blindsided. However, due to my struggles with exam-taking, I found myself in this
program, grappling with embarrassment and recognizing the wealth of intelligence that
surrounded me. To add to the challenge, my education had to unfold entirely online. I faced an
important, albeit unconscious, decision. I could have chosen to conform to the expectations that
many had for individuals in this program, opting to squander my extra daytime hours by slacking
off. I could have slept in, neglected my work, socialized with friends, and cheated my way
through my fully virtual classes. Regrettably, I knew quite a few peers who followed precisely
that route, exploiting the excuse of virtual learning to mask their lack of effort.
However, I took a different path. I secured a job with early shifts, allowing me to work
prior to my 5 p.m. classes, and diligently rose at 4:45 a.m. for every shift for an entire year. I
devoted myself to my studies, striving to connect with my professors, even though our
interactions were confined to a Zoom meeting. I refused to allow the challenges posed by Covid
to be an excuse to hide behind a screen.
My first experience with networking presented itself through my Introduction to
Landscape Architecture professor, Colleen. I had randomly selected the course to fulfill a general
requirement, as students in my program had a more restricted choice of classes compared to
regularly admitted students. After just a few classes, I knew I had stumbled upon something
remarkable. I began staying after class to seek my professor’s guidance and insight. I went on to
interview her for an unrelated assignment, affording me the opportunity to delve deeper into her
life and the remarkable business she had built. Her story of triumph in a male-dominated
industry, where she had to consistently prove her worth, was nothing short of inspiring. It was
during that semester that I decided to make a life-altering choice: I switched my major from
environmental economics into landscape architecture, a decision I have never once regretted. A
few months later, in the following semester, I gathered the courage to send her an email,
inquiring if her firm might require any summer assistance. Though I was vastly underqualified to
intern in a professional firm and possessed no experience in the programs used in our industry,
she, largely due to the connection we had established in class, took a chance on me. I spent the
following two summers working for her, gaining knowledge that surpassed anything I could have
hoped to learn in a classroom. She remains one of the most ambitious and extroverted individuals
I've ever met and is the person who encouraged me to join the Women's Real Estate Network. I
maintain an ongoing connection with her, and the wisdom she imparted to me over the years has
been invaluable. Had I chosen to slack off during that initial semester, hiding behind the screen
of virtual learning, I would have never crossed paths with Colleen or discovered my passion for
this career. I overcame the stereotype of my Freshman Connection program which changed the
dynamic of my mindset for the next four years. That pivotal choice set the tone for my college
experience, shaping my character and propelling me to challenge myself more with each
semester.

Big 5 Personality Assessment

In this personality assessment, I received relatively high scores in the 70 and 80 percent
range for openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism. The lowest score I had was
in the category of agreeableness. I agree that I have a high level of openness which relates to
traits of creativity, trying new things, and tackling new challenges. I see this side of my
personality most in my studio project work in landscape architecture because it takes a high level
of creativity to brainstorm new ideas for designs and express them in a physical form. I can look
at a blank landscape plan and see the shapes of design elements form on the page. I love to look
through design precedents to fuel new ideas about an upcoming project rather than reusing
something I have done in the past and I find it a fun challenge to include elements I have never
seen before. Conscientiousness is another very important part of my personality and applies to
my attention to detail and my passion for organized schedules, tasks, and spaces around me. I
love when everything has a certain place whether in my household or work environment, and one
can find me constantly cleaning and making lists. I likely inherited this trait from my father who
is also very detail-oriented and methodical. He taught me the importance of a clean space and
that taking care of the things around you reflects your respect and appreciation for them. An
aspect of this trait that does not apply to me is that highly conscientious people get to tasks right
away. Although I may be methodical about my tasks, I tend to procrastinate things until the last
moment possible because I find it motivates me to work quicker and with a sharper mind. I tend
to thrive on the stress it creates from having limited time to do a task which is related to the
neuroticism personality group as well. I agree with is my high level of neuroticism because I do
constantly stress and worry about everything in my life from my school work to personal
situations to long-term life goals. This trait also comes with anxious feelings and dramatic mood
swings which I experience every day.
My level of extraversion was higher than I would have anticipated because although I
would consider myself an extravert, that is only part of the time. I do hate being alone and find
my energy is recharged when I am around a group of people that I love. I do enjoy crowds and
large events but I still find myself sticking to people I am comfortable with rather than talking to
a range of people or making new friends. Some quiet time alone is still very important to
maintain a sense of peace and reduce stress but too much time alone leads to boredom or
sadness. I was even more surprised by my low level of agreeableness. Although I would consider
myself to be more self-oriented that does not entail that I do not care about the people in my life.
A reason why this score was very low is because I do not go out of my way to care for strangers
or people not close to me as I do for my very close loved ones. I prefer to keep a tighter circle
close to me and care about them more deeply. I enjoy cooking for my family, roommates, and
significant other and giving personal gifts as my way of showing appreciation. In honesty, I am
more disappointed in these results than I am surprised because I have been told by friends and
family that I have selfish ways. I do understand that this is a category I need to work on and I
will keep this in mind as I explore my personality styles over the next few months in this class.
I found this personality assessment to be the most accurate of the ones we have
completed in this class although I did not gain many insights into my personality. I was already
aware of how these categories affect my daily life and the people around me but it is nice to be
reminded of how I can constantly work towards emphasizing the positive parts of my personality
as often as possible. I feel this was just as helpful as the Jung and DISC models but it highlights
different aspects. This seemed to be more helpful in assessing my perception of myself in my
daily life but the others could be oriented more towards professional life or group dynamics. It is
important to see both sides and take as many different test styles as possible to get a more
accurate representation of all possible personal and professional situations.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the exploration of one's personality is a continuous and enlightening
journey that offers valuable insights into our behaviors, interactions, and the dynamics of our
lives. The results of the Big Five Personality assessment have provided me with a deeper
understanding of my own unique traits, shedding light on the ways in which I navigate the world
around me. As we've examined the dimensions of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion,
agreeableness, and neuroticism, we've unveiled not only my strengths but also areas for growth.
These insights will undoubtedly guide me as I continue to evolve as an individual, shaping my
approach to personal relationships and professional endeavors. The beauty of self-discovery lies
in its capacity to empower us to be more authentic, compassionate, and effective in our personal
and professional lives. By embracing these insights, I look forward to a future of greater
self-awareness and growth, always seeking to become the best version of myself.
 Works Cited

Grenny, Joseph. Crucial Conversations. 2nd ed., McGraw Hill, 2012.