D024
Using Power Skills to Handle Difficult Situations
College of Health Professions, Western Governors University
Using Power Skills to Handle Difficult Situations
Working in a leadership role as a RN will require the use of our skills to manage a
difficult situation. Depending on each individual’s skill set will determine how that person will
manage the situation. In order to improve reactions to these situations, professional nurses will
need to understand social and emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is understanding
your own emotions before reacting in order to respond appropriately. There are five Social and
Emotional Power skills listed in Professional Presence and Influence: Unit 4. They are self-
awareness, self-management, interpersonal communication, executive functions and social
awareness (Western Governors University, 2021). The mastery of these five power skills will
create less stress and improve the ability to handle these difficult situations.
Describe, using scholarly sources, how advanced professional nurses can
manage difficult workplace situations by using each of the following social and
emotional intelligence power skills:
Power Skills
Self-Awareness
By being self-aware, the professional nurse understands his or her personality, feelings
and motivations. It is also being mindful of reactions to situations and being aware how you are
presenting yourself in the workplace. When dealing with a difficult situation at work, identifying
your emotions first before responding and be mindful of other’s perceptions (Western Governors
University, 2021).
, Self-Management
Self-Management is the ability to be responsible for your own behavior. It is a skill that
will aide you in being more organized and efficient in all activities. Impulse control, the ability
to manage time, being self-motivated and self-discipline are some of the skills of self-
management. While handling a difficult situation, resilience and impulse control could assist
with not allowing emotions to take over. Also, taking the initiative might show that you are
willing to address the situation (Western Governors University, 2021). Schedule a meeting to
address the situation will engage others and accomplish the task with collaboration as
encouraged by Perlo et al. (2017).
Interpersonal Communication
The interaction and exchange of information or ideas is interpersonal communication
(Western Governors University, 2021). This skill can be used in a difficult situation allowing the
team to safely discuss the issue and decide that the solution might be (Perlo et al., 2017).
Executive Function
According to the course material, executive function skills are higher-order mental processes
that enable individuals to manage complex task by being organized, problem-solving, planning
and regulating emotions (Western Governors University, 2021). An excellent way to learn to
handle difficult situations is by mentorship. Having a mentor builds confidence and will expose
the professional nurse to different skills to manage issues. The mentor will be invested in your
success and growth as a professional (Venant 2019).
Social Awareness
Using Power Skills to Handle Difficult Situations
College of Health Professions, Western Governors University
Using Power Skills to Handle Difficult Situations
Working in a leadership role as a RN will require the use of our skills to manage a
difficult situation. Depending on each individual’s skill set will determine how that person will
manage the situation. In order to improve reactions to these situations, professional nurses will
need to understand social and emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is understanding
your own emotions before reacting in order to respond appropriately. There are five Social and
Emotional Power skills listed in Professional Presence and Influence: Unit 4. They are self-
awareness, self-management, interpersonal communication, executive functions and social
awareness (Western Governors University, 2021). The mastery of these five power skills will
create less stress and improve the ability to handle these difficult situations.
Describe, using scholarly sources, how advanced professional nurses can
manage difficult workplace situations by using each of the following social and
emotional intelligence power skills:
Power Skills
Self-Awareness
By being self-aware, the professional nurse understands his or her personality, feelings
and motivations. It is also being mindful of reactions to situations and being aware how you are
presenting yourself in the workplace. When dealing with a difficult situation at work, identifying
your emotions first before responding and be mindful of other’s perceptions (Western Governors
University, 2021).
, Self-Management
Self-Management is the ability to be responsible for your own behavior. It is a skill that
will aide you in being more organized and efficient in all activities. Impulse control, the ability
to manage time, being self-motivated and self-discipline are some of the skills of self-
management. While handling a difficult situation, resilience and impulse control could assist
with not allowing emotions to take over. Also, taking the initiative might show that you are
willing to address the situation (Western Governors University, 2021). Schedule a meeting to
address the situation will engage others and accomplish the task with collaboration as
encouraged by Perlo et al. (2017).
Interpersonal Communication
The interaction and exchange of information or ideas is interpersonal communication
(Western Governors University, 2021). This skill can be used in a difficult situation allowing the
team to safely discuss the issue and decide that the solution might be (Perlo et al., 2017).
Executive Function
According to the course material, executive function skills are higher-order mental processes
that enable individuals to manage complex task by being organized, problem-solving, planning
and regulating emotions (Western Governors University, 2021). An excellent way to learn to
handle difficult situations is by mentorship. Having a mentor builds confidence and will expose
the professional nurse to different skills to manage issues. The mentor will be invested in your
success and growth as a professional (Venant 2019).
Social Awareness
