Learning Reflections CHCORG428A

Think about a time when you received feedback which had a significant impact on your work. Why did this have such an impact?
When Ive received feedback that has had a significant impact it has probably been more about how Ive learnt to receive feedback both positive and negative. Ive come to learn how difficult it can be for someone to give feedback on work performance, especially negative so its important to acknowledge it anytime it is given. If feedback is of a negative nature it can be difficult not to be defensive so Ive found if the person giving the feedback constructs it in a way that isnt too confronting the process goes a lot smoother and a better outcome for both parties. If youre not clear how to take the feedback or what the intention really is it is important to clarify with someone you trust as its easy to take something the wrong way depending on how it was delivered and by whom. Ive learnt to use negative feedback as a learning tool that makes it a positive experience. It is important to work out which parts of the feedback to take on board and act on and which parts you actually have any control over.

Think about a time when you wish you had managed a workplace situation differently. What did you learn from this experience? What did you learn about your workplace relationships?
In what always seems like a crisis driven environment Ive found most situations could have been handled differently once youve had time to look back and reflect. The disability sector attracts a really broad range of employees who all come with different backgrounds, work experience and values. Having a high turnover of staff in the sector also makes it more difficult to build values and culture around a workgroup. Managing conflict in an office or team environment during times of ongoing change can be very challenging but also rewarding. As much as possible I try to take the Stephen Covey approach using the circle of influence and only try and respond or give energy to things that I can have some control or influence over. I think it is important to understand how different members of your team respond to conflict and stressful situations and how best to support them through difficult times. Ive learnt that some people need to be left alone and will engage after theyve had time to reflect on a difficult situation while others need immediate support to debrief and reflect. Below I have done an example circles of concern and influence. I will often use this process for specific situations that I am struggling with as I find it a good way to plan and focus on certain tasks and projects. I find it very helpful to break bigger

problems down to smaller task or figuring out ways that I can have some influence over big picture items.

The first circle of concern is often the big picture stuff that concerns us day to day but usually we find we have little influence over the outcomes of these things. Its easy to get annoyed or stressed about these things and the more we focus on them more helpless we feel.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Gun laws in the United States Climate Change

Commission of audit and impact on The NDIS

Monopolisation of food and dairy industry

Federal budget and tax review

Corporations paying no taxes on profits made in Australia

Future employment as a public servant under an NDIS Rising prices of green coffee beans

The next example shows how our circles can change if we choose to focus on the things we can have some influence over. You dont have to disregard the big picture concerns in your circle of concern but you need to focus on the ones where you can exercise some influence. By widening our circle of influence we become more proactive and dont waste energy on things that waste our time.

Ride to work and eat healthy. Good health is important in times of change and stress. NDIS embrace the change and positives for people with a disability to have greater control. Take on further education and experience in other roles to ready myself for the transition and future employment

Federal budget & tax review contact financial advisor to make sure Im utilising my own resources in the best way possible Enjoy a healthy lifestyle and be good influence on my kids and family. Support locally grown and produced food and dairy. Stop shopping at the big 2 for these products

Purchase green coffee in bulk at warehouse prices

Demonstrate respectful, professional behaviour in the workplace and be responsible for workplace culture.

Describe your preferred learning style. What does this mean for your approach to completing the Diploma?
After completing the VAK Learning Styles Self-Assessment I was a bit surprised that Im pretty even between visual and kinaesthetic. Before completing the assessment I assumed I would be heavily in the visual domain but after reading the explanation to both Id agree with results. Im definitely a visual learner and prefer to learn in my own time and pace. I find face to face learning valuable as long as its interactive and not just being taught at. I like to share learning experiences and learn from others and will actively use Yammer during this diploma and other online information sharing formats such as forums or social media. I also like to learn using a hands on approach and I like to learn from physical experiences. I think my style of learning will fit well with the diploma as I will be responsible for managing my own time and making use of resources provided through yammer. With a busy life at work and a young family at home this is the only approach that would work for me. I have linked with colleagues in my office that are also completing the diploma to set up opportunities for information sharing and as a quality check for evidence to be provided.

From what you know about the changes to disability services in the future, what new skills and knowledge will you will need?
Its difficult to know exactly what the future of disability service is going to look like as there is still a lot of planning taking place and still to be done. It will be interesting to see if the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) resembles the initial vision by the time we start rolling it out across Australia. Where we can be sure of change is how people with a disability purchase and plan their supports. There is certainly going to be a lot of focus on people choosing what to purchase and from whom to purchase their disability supports. Everyone working in the industry at the time of implementation and in the transition phase leading up to will have to have a strong client centred practice framework. In my current role as a contract manager I will have an important role in assisting funded non-government service providers ready themselves for the NDIS. I will need to make sure I am up to date and have a good understanding of the differences to the current system and what will be required for service providers to participate in the NDIS.

Comment on one of the resources provided in Yammer regarding cultural capability

The resource provided WORKING WITH ABORIGINAL PEOPLE was an interesting document that provided brief historical information as well as a practical guide to working with aboriginal people. A number of points from the document stood out to me. The first was contained in the introduction. I was previously aware of the higher rates of disability and under representation in disability services but hadnt previously considered how few Aboriginal people are employed in the sector. Even in services I have previously worked as a support worker supporting aboriginal people we didnt have any Aboriginal people on staff. There has been a lot of emphasis regarding people from other culturally and linguistically diverse background being supported where possible by people from the same cultures or backgrounds but Ive found with Aboriginal people there is certainly emphasis on linking people to their culture but no so much on making sure the support is actually provided by Aboriginal people. The other point that stood out for me was Today there are many people who have been disconnected from their cultural identity and continually ask who am I? and where do I fit in?. Commonly, this confusion and emptiness can result in a spiral of despair and lead to alcoholism, drug abuse, suicide, crime, abuse and violence. This led to me thinking about Australian society in whole and how disconnected weve become from our family and our own historical cultural backgrounds. Does this go some way to explain how our society is evolving and our rates of mental illness, alcoholism and drug abuse? Australia is a very diverse country and with many people settling here from very strong cultural backgrounds there are many similar challenges to current and future generations of migrants as Aboriginal people are dealing with now.