mod_0_capstone_gear_up

mod_0_capstone_gear_up.md

Gear Up Reflections

1. As a medic, empathy has played a large role in my life. It allows me to put myself in my patients shoes; which not only helps me better figure out what might be going on with them, but also what the best way to treat them might be. I like to try and consider how I would want one of my family members to be treated when I treat patients. It seems very simple, but actually asking myself how I would feel if my treatment was given to a loved one is a great way to evaluate my interaction after the fact. I think this is an excellent/easy process improvement method, and also one that motivates me not to make the same mistake twice. Incorporating that emotional response when a mistake is eventually made creates a stronger signal in my memory, and helps me to learn from it.
2. Empathy helps people build better software because it allows you to tailor your code to the people you believe are going to be using it. This could make it more accessible for people with disabilities, or even more tolerant to people of different backgrounds. Being actively aware of potential end user personalities, simply through process, results in a lower likelyhood of unintentionally creating a negative experience for one of your users. In effect, it basically lets you write better code.
3. Empathy is important for working on a team because it allows that team to become more cohesive, and thus more efficient. Without giving any thought to how your team might feel/respond to interactions with you, you are creating an environment where conflict becomes more likely. Conflict distracts from the teams goals, and is also an energy drain which = a productivity drain. Acting and speaking considerately can cost you maybe seconds, but may save you hours or even an entire project.
4. Once, one of my Airman failed to complete a recertification required for their job. It came down that there need to be written corrective action, and as the supervisor it was going to be my resposibility. I took the time to have a conversation, and hear their side of the story, and it turned out there were some underlying issues going on at home that caused them to miss their recertification class. Utilizing empathy, I was able to back to my chain of command and recommend that we not do paperwork on this Airman, but offer some resources to assist with their homelife.
5. I find it most difficult to be empathetic professionally when in a scenario that results in someone getting in trouble/messing up. I can improve this my skills in this area with radical listening. I think I this is an area I struggle with because I have an emotional reflex to the potential negative impacts a scenario like this one could have for my team. However, having the presense of mind to take a breath, and not respond reflexively could provide me the opportunity to realize that responding reflexively could actually exacerbate the negative impacts on my team. I do recognize that there are appropriate times to admonish, but I think it is important to be able to do so professionally/without emoptional motivations. This fosters fair treatment in all situations, and is a skill I hope to master one day.