University of Maryland, College Park

Pearl Diving Assignment 2

Siddharth Sharma

Communication for Project Managers: ENCE614

Dr. Shana Webster-Trotman

April 01, 2023

Introduction
Effective communication is a vital skill while working in teams. It allows us to share ideas
and express ourselves in meaningful ways. Moving forward in this course, we have learned to
identify a crucial conversation and handle them appropriately. We have focused on communicating
according to the personality styles of the colleagues and understanding Ethos, Logos and Pathos
as an effective tool for persuasion.
This essay will highlight these lessons learned through the required readings and during the
lectures of the class or the group activities. Certain situations or prompts were provided and my
attempt on tackling them with learned technique has been made through this essay.

E-mail for team’s lackluster performance

A team leader has a crucial role to play in their team’s performance. As per the prompt, I
am a team leader and my team has hit a rough patch with lackluster performance. I have drafted
an email to address my team’s issue. While drafting this email, I have been mindful of appealing
the ethos, logos and pathos. Following is the email body:

Dear Team,

I am writing to address our team's recent lackluster performance and the urgent need for
improvement. As the team leader, I take full responsibility for our underwhelming results and I
am committed to working with all of you to turn things around.

Firstly, let's focus on the problem at hand. Our team has been falling behind in terms of our goals
and deadlines, and the quality of our work has not been up to par. This is not just a matter of
meeting targets, but it also reflects on our team's reputation and credibility within the organization.
Timely completion of tasks maintaining best quality is vital for our organization’s reputation and
it is the responsibility of each one of us to preserve it.

From a logical perspective, we need to be more strategic and efficient in our approach to work.
We need to identify the root cause of our setbacks, whether it's a lack of resources, inadequate
planning, or poor communication. We must then come up with a plan of action that addresses these
issues and ensures that we are all on the same page. However, it's also important to consider the
emotional impact of our performance on the team as a whole. I understand that many of us are
feeling frustrated and demotivated by our recent struggles. It's crucial that we acknowledge and
address these feelings and work together to boost morale and motivation.

In terms of ethos, I want to assure you that I am fully committed to our team's success. I believe
in each and every one of you and I know that we have the skills and capabilities to turn things
around. As your leader, I am willing to take the necessary steps to support and guide us towards
our goals.

In conclusion, I urge each of you to take this issue seriously and commit to doing your part to
improve our team's performance. Let's work together to identify the root causes of our setbacks,
create a plan of action, and support each other through the process. I am confident that we can
achieve great things if we put our minds to it.

Thank you for your attention and commitment to our team's success.

Sincerely,
Siddharth Sharma
Concept/Technique learned from the group activities:

The technique that I found vital when addressing people around us is communicating based on
their personality types according to the DISC personality assessment. Addressing people according
to their personality types is an essential aspect of effective communication. It is crucial to
understand that everyone has a unique way of processing information and communicating, and
different personality types require different approaches to be fully understood and engaged.
Addressing people according to their personality types is important to me as it can help in several
ways:
1. Building better relationships: By understanding someone's personality type, we can tailor
our communication to their specific needs and preferences, which can help build stronger
and more meaningful relationships.
2. Improving communication: People with different personality types process information
and communicate differently, and by addressing them in a way that aligns with their
personality type, you can improve communication and ensure that your message is received
and understood. This was very explicitly focused upon in the lecture and then in the group
activities in which we had to write an email to our boss based upon their personality
explaining we will be late by 4 days in the next assignment.
3. Enhancing teamwork: When working in a team, it is crucial to understand each team
member's personality type to ensure that everyone is working together effectively. By
addressing people according to their personality type, we can ensure that everyone is
working in a way that aligns with their strengths and preferences.
4. Minimizing misunderstandings: Misunderstandings can occur when people communicate
in a way that doesn't align with someone's personality type. By addressing people according
to their personality type, we can minimize misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is
on the same page.
I have started to inculcate this technique when communicating with my friends or my professors
based on their personality traits shown by them. This helps me in getting my word across easily
and in an efficient manner. Now whenever I am typing a reply for an email, I try to glean from the
previous email what the personality style of that person might be.
Furthermore, in future, I can use this technique when appearing for interviews as well. I can do
well to remember to use this technique based on the experience that Dr. Trotman shared about her
own interview. In that interview her Dominant personality did not align well with the interviewers
as they were of more Influencing personality style. So, addressing people according to their
personality traits can prove to be helpful to me in my professional life.
Handling the scenario with the boss:

In this scenario, it is important to handle the situation with professionalism and tact while
addressing the issue of being called an "idiot" in front of the entire team. A boss is someone who
holds power over your career and using the techniques covered in Crucial Conversations, I
would follow these steps to tackle the situation:

Start with heart: Before responding to the situation, I would take a deep breath and remind
myself of my purpose for addressing the issue. My goal would be to address the unprofessional
behavior of my boss while maintaining a professional relationship with them.

Create safety: I would request a private meeting with my boss and express my desire to discuss
the incident that occurred in front of the team. In doing so, I would set the stage for a safe and
respectful conversation where we could address the issue together.

Describe the gap: I would describe how the comment made me feel and the impact it had on me,
such as undermining my confidence and causing me to feel embarrassed. By describing the gap,
I would be able to bring to their attention how the comment was inappropriate and how it
impacted me on a personal level.

Make it mutual: I would try to understand why my boss made the comment and what led to it. By
doing so, I would be able to understand their perspective and make it a mutual conversation
rather than a one-sided argument. This would help in building empathy and mutual
understanding between both parties.

Build a bridge: Finally, I would work towards building a bridge and finding a solution together.
This could involve setting clear expectations for professional behavior, discussing the
appropriate language to be used in team meetings, and ensuring that everyone on the team feels
valued and respected.

In terms of what I would say, I would start the conversation by expressing my concern and how
the comment made me feel. For example, I would say "I felt hurt and disrespected when you
called me an idiot in front of the entire team. I think it was unprofessional and inappropriate." I
would then move on to asking my boss to explain their perspective and how they arrived at the
comment.

In choosing this course of action, I believe it is important to appeal to ethos by demonstrating a

professional demeanor and an understanding of the importance of maintaining positive working
relationships. I would appeal to logos by outlining the logical steps to address the issue and
ensure that it does not happen again in the future. Finally, I would appeal to pathos by
highlighting the emotional impact of the comment and how it affected me personally. By using
these techniques, I believe it is possible to have a productive conversation that results in a
positive outcome for both parties involved.
Personal Story

In my previous job, I working as a shift in charge for the first responders in an oil refinery. My job
responsibilities included leading a team of 16 firefighters to ensure upkeep and maintenance of the
firefighting system, responding to emergencies, and saving lives. I have faced many challenges
during my career, but one experience, in particular, stands out to me as a defining moment that
tested my ability to overcome adversity. It was a hot summer day, and we received a call about a
massive fire in a nearby town area. As a part of the corporate social responsibility, our organization
is obligated to respond to such distress calls.

Element 1: Characters
I was working with a team of experienced firefighters, all of whom I trusted and relied on to have
my back in any situation. We were a well-oiled machine, each of us playing a crucial role in
fighting fires and keeping people safe.

Element 2: Setting
The fire had broken out in a densely populated residential area, with narrow streets that made it
challenging to access the source of the blaze. The heat was intense, and the smoke was thick,
making it difficult to breathe and see.

Element 3: Plot
As soon as we arrived on the scene, we sprang into action, assessing the situation and formulating
a plan of attack. Our first priority was to evacuate any people who might be in danger. We searched
the buildings for occupants, shouting and knocking on doors to make sure everyone was out safely.
Once we were sure that everyone was out of harm's way, we turned our attention to putting out the
fire.

Element 4: Conflict
The fire was raging out of control, spreading quickly from building to building. We had to work
quickly and efficiently to prevent the fire from spreading any further. It was a race against time,
and the stakes were high. Lives and property were on the line, and we couldn't afford to make any
mistakes.

Element 5: Climax
As we worked to contain the blaze, we encountered a significant obstacle. The water supply to the
area had been cut off, and we had no way of getting the water we needed to put out the fire. It was
a dire situation, and we knew that we had to act quickly if we were going to save the neighborhood
from being completely destroyed.

Element 6: Resolution
In the face of this adversity, we had to get creative. We improvised a makeshift water supply, using
a nearby lake and a series of hoses to bring water to the fire. It was a risky maneuver, but it paid
off. We were able to get the water we needed to put out the fire and save the neighborhood from
disaster.
Element 7: Moral
This experience taught me that in the face of adversity, we have to be resourceful, adaptable, and
creative. We can't give up, no matter how challenging the situation may be. We have to rely on
our skills, our training, and our ability to think outside the box to overcome any obstacle that comes
our way.

This experience helped shape me into the person I am today. It taught me the value of teamwork,
communication, and problem-solving. It also taught me the importance of staying calm and
focused under pressure, even in the most difficult and dangerous situations.

In conclusion, as a firefighter, I have faced many challenges, but none were as significant as the
day we had to fight a massive fire with a limited water supply. Through resourcefulness, quick
thinking, and teamwork, we were able to overcome this obstacle and save the neighborhood from
being completely destroyed. This experience taught me valuable lessons that I will carry with me
for the rest of my life, and it is a testament to my ability to overcome adversity in any situation.
Big Five Personality Assessment

The Big Five Personality Test, also known as the Five-Factor Model, is a widely accepted
framework for understanding human personality. It describes five dimensions of personality,
which are openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Each
dimension represents a different aspect of an individual's personality, and together they provide a
comprehensive picture of their unique traits and tendencies.

My results for the Big Five Personality Test are as follows: Openness=79%,
Conscientiousness=75%, Extraversion=62.5%, Agreeableness=73%, Neuroticism=42%. I agree
with the results as they present a correct picture of my traits.

Openness refers to an individual's willingness to embrace new experiences and ideas. A high score
in this dimension indicates that the person is open-minded, imaginative, and curious. With a score
of 79%, the assessment indicates that I am likely to be adventurous, creative, and interested in
exploring new ways of thinking and doing things. I agree with this assessment and I am likely to
have a broad range of interests and I enjoy learning about different cultures, perspectives, and
fields of study. It always brings me joy to learn new cultures and travel to new places. I also enjoy
adventure trips like camping and hiking. I also tend to be more open to change and less attached
to traditional ways of doing things as I believe change is constant.

Conscientiousness refers to an individual's level of organization, responsibility, and self-discipline.

A high score in this dimension indicates that the person is reliable, hardworking, and conscientious.
With a score of 75%, the assessment indicates that I am likely to be well-organized, goal-oriented,
and dependable. I do prefer planning things out and following discipline in my life. I like to pay
attention to the details and take pride in my accomplishments. I also have a strong sense of duty
and responsibility, and they are likely to be reliable and trustworthy. This quality of mine has been
more enforced due to my training as a firefighter. Since firefighting requires a great deal of
teamwork, every member of the team is responsible for performing their duty well and following
orders for the safety of everyone.

Extraversion refers to an individual's level of sociability, assertiveness, and outgoingness. A high

score in this dimension indicates that the person is sociable, assertive, and outgoing. As per the
assessment with a score of 62.5%, I am likely to be sociable and outgoing in certain situations,
however I also enjoy spending time alone or in smaller groups. I believe that to be true as I can
network and interact with people. I believe I am confident in social situations, however at the end
of the day I like my privacy and personal time. This time helps me relax and focus on my tasks.

Agreeableness refers to an individual's level of empathy, cooperation, and compassion. A high

score in this dimension indicates that the person is empathetic, cooperative, and compassionate.
With a score of 73%, I am likely to be friendly, cooperative, and considerate of others' feelings. I
agree with this statement, however as per my conflict resolution I tend to be more collaborating
than agreeable. I also understand the value of building strong relationships with others, therefore
I may also be more likely to prioritize others' needs over my own.
Neuroticism refers to an individual's level of emotional instability and negative emotions. A high
score in this dimension indicates that the person is more likely to experience negative emotions
such as anxiety, worry, and sadness. With a score of 42%, I am likely to be relatively stable
emotionally and less prone to experiencing negative emotions. I believe I am more resilient in the
face of stress and adversity and may be better able to maintain a positive outlook on life. This is
something I can also relate to my training as a firefighter in the past. Under such distressful
situations, controlling our emotions is necessary to perform our duty well. I also try to my best to
calm myself whenever I am feeling a rush of emotions and not take any actions irrationally.

Comparing these results with the DISC and Jung personality assessment, I see many similarities.
According to this test I am not too extroverted and my Jung test assessed me as an Introvert. At
the end of the day, spending some time with just myself helps me relax. As per the DISC, me being
a sensor and having stability are saying same things about me that I tend to value people and
harmony amongst them. Similarly, this test indicates a high agreeableness percentage indicating I
try to preserve relationships and show empathy towards others. Also, me being Judging and
Compliance as per Jung, and Conscientiousness being my second biggest trait in DISC assessment,
it matches with the above assessment that I tend to pay attention to details and like to have follow
rules in my life.

Taking different personality assessments have been really beneficial in gaining deep insights into
my own character. It has enlightened me how I approach things and why I like to approach them
in a certain way. These assessments also help in also understanding how I can communicate more
effectively to someone with different personality trait.
T HE BI G F I V E P E R S O N A L I T Y T E S T
R E S U LT S F O R G U E S T

M A R C H 3 1, 2 0 2 3 , 2 : 1 1 P M

Your Personality Trait Scores

This Big Five assessment measures your scores on five major dimensions of personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism
(sometimes abbreviated OCEAN). In this free report, you'll see a description of each of these five factors of personality, as well as a graph of your score on that
measure.

Openness
Openness describes a person’s tendency to think in abstract, complex ways. High scorers tend to be creative, adventurous, and intellectual. They enjoy playing with
ideas and discovering novel experiences. Low scorers tend to be practical, conventional, and focused on the concrete. They tend to avoid the unknown and follow
traditional ways.

O
79%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness describes a person’s ability to exercise self-discipline and control in order to pursue their goals. High scorers are organized and determined, and are able
to forego immediate gratification for the sake of long-term achievement. Low scorers are impulsive and easily sidetracked.
 C 75%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Extraversion
Extraversion describes a person’s inclination to seek stimulation from the outside world, especially in the form of attention from other people. Extraverts engage
actively with others to earn friendship, admiration, power, status, excitement, and romance. Introverts, on the other hand, conserve their energy, and do not work as
hard to earn these social rewards.

E 62.5%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Agreeableness
Agreeableness describes a person’s tendency to put others’ needs ahead of their own, and to cooperate rather than compete with others. People who are high in
Agreeableness experience a great deal of empathy and tend to get pleasure out of serving and taking care of others. They are usually trusting and forgiving. People
who are low in Agreeableness tend to experience less empathy and put their own concerns ahead of others.
 A 73%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Neuroticism
Neuroticism describes a person’s tendency to experience negative emotions, including fear, sadness, anxiety, guilt, and shame. While everyone experiences these emotions
from time to time, some people are more prone to them than others. High Neuroticism scorers are more likely to react to a situation with fear, anger, sadness, and the like.
Low Neuroticism scorers are more likely to brush off their misfortune and move on.

N 42%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Your Traits in Action
Now we'll look at how your personality traits express themselves in all areas of life, from your daily routine to your relationships and your work life. Each section
covers one key area and explains how your individual traits influence your experiences in this aspect of life.

W H AT D O YO U VA L U E ?
You are a highly sympathetic and altruistic person who values kindness and compassion above all else. You feel it is crucial to care for others and work to make the world
a better place. You rarely do anything that does not have a payoff in kindness or caring. You are unconcerned with selfish goals, and instead preoccupy yourself with the
needs of others.
You have a genuine love of ideas, and value originality, creativity, and imagination. It is important to you to have consistent opportunities to learn new things and improve
your mind. You value intellectual challenge, depth of thought, and insight. Because of your interest in enlightenment and novel ideas, you place great value on artistic and
cultural endeavors. You believe that the improvement of the mind is an important and worthy goal.
Conclusion
The techniques such as mastering your own life story, addressing people based on their
personality types and handling crucial conversations with the proper techniques are some amazing
techniques that a professional could learn to land themselves their dream job and to be great at
communicating once they get it. These techniques are extremely helpful in real life too. The
lectures and the group activities provide a good opportunity to practice such techniques as writing
email to our boss or handling a crucial conversation. Lastly, it is always great to learn about our
personality type through different assessment and comparing the result with the previous
assessments. It is beneficial in understanding our personality and our approach to various
situations.
 Works Cited

Faulkner, Michael, and Andrea Nierenberg. Networking for College Students and Graduates.

Pearson Learning Solutions, 2017. Print.

Grenny, Joseph; Patterson, Kerry; McMillan, Ron; Switzler, Al; and Gregory, Emily. Crucial

Conversations. McGraw Hill, 2022. Print.

Gallo, Carmine. Five Stars the Communication Secrets to Get from Good to Great. St. Martin’s

Press, 2018. Print.

O’Hair, Dan, and Hannah Rubenstein and Rob Stewart. A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking.

Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2019. Print.