In this assignment, you will develop self-reflection skills that are critical to effective management. First, select and diagnose (using the course theory) a current difficult conversation, conflict, or interpersonal challenge in the workplace, on your team, or in your personal life. Then design and carry out a personal experiment to improve the situation. Ideal problems will be those in which you have some stake, but where the outcomes are not critical to your professional/personal success or failure. Minimally, it should be a current situation that you want to really improve. Your goal will be to treat this situation as a personal case in which you will apply course theories to design an intervention that you will implement and reflect on, and your paper will write up the results of this personal experiment using the following guide:

1. Use a two column case: starting with a 1-2 paragraph description of the situation, followed by two columns- the right containing a reconstructed dialog and the left containing the thoughts and feelings you were having at the time

2. A 1-2 page analysis of the situation using at least two of the following tools: the Ladder of Inference, Advocacy-Inquiry statements, and your Big Five results. You may also use tools learned in course readings (cases and articles). Discuss why it did not work well and how it could have gone better.

3. A 1-2 paragraph plan of action that follows from your diagnosis and seems likely to improve the situation

4. A 1-2 paragraph description of the action you took to improve the situation

5. Reflections (1-2 paragraphs) on what you learned about yourself as a result of this experiment Evaluation Criteria Grades will be based on the following criteria: Clarity of writing and thinking: clear and logical arguments, paper is organized 2 column case: description of the situation is short, clear, and to the point, case represents a real interpersonal problem Analysis: diagnosis of the causes of the situation/behavior using course theories appropriately and demonstrating reflection Prescription/actions taken: ability to translate analysis into action that seems likely to improve the situation Outcomes and reflection: outcome clearly described, clear why the outcome was successful or unsuccessful, demonstration of personal learning/growth/reflection