The Impact of Professional Development

This assignment delves into the significance of professional development across diverse sectors like teacher education, higher education, nursing, and counseling psychology. It examines how personal experiences, reflection, and feedback contribute to professional growth. The analysis considers various professional development approaches, including action research, peer observation, mentoring, and international experience, highlighting their impact on individual practitioners and the broader educational landscape.

Personal and Professional
Development

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Various approaches of self-managed learning.................................................................1
1.2 Ways in which both personal and professional learning can be encouraged...................2
1.3 Various benefits of self-managed learning to individual and organisation......................2
4.1 Solutions to Work based problems and its solution.........................................................3
4.2 Variety of communication styles at various levels...........................................................3
4.3 Evaluation and use of effective time management strategies...........................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Evaluation of own current skills and qualities against organisational objectives............5
2.2 Identification of own development needs and activities required....................................6
2.3 Identification of developmental opportunities..................................................................6
2.4 Devising personal and professional development plan....................................................6
3.1 Actuivities required to implement the plan......................................................................7
3.2 Document development activities....................................................................................8
3.3 Own learning against original objectives and aims..........................................................8
3.4 Update development plan based on collected feedback...................................................9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Employees and workers of an enterprise play an important role in the success of firm.
Today, every company wants skilled candidates to achieve the results in an effective way and to
get competitive advantage (Nicholls, 2014). For this, managers of firm can develop a
development plan for increasing the skills of employees so their contribution can be increased in
the success of firm. ALDI is chosen under this report for study. For choosing the right career and
to better solve various issues at workplace, it is essential for an employee to first identify his
various strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Number of approaches of self-managed
learning and various ways which can be used for encouraging the lifelong learning are detailed in
this report. Advantages of self-managed learning to individuals and organisation are also
mentioned here. Along with this, effective solution to work based problems and time
management strategies are discussed.
TASK 1
1.1 Various approaches of self-managed learning
Self-managed learning is a process or technique which is used by an individual for
increasing his knowledge or competency in a particular field in order to get success. Large
number of self-managed approaches are there which can be used by individuals. Following are
the main approaches which encourage self-managed learning: Visionary approach: If a person has visionary approach then it helps an individual to
understand the way in which self-managed learning could be developed and also assist
him in understanding the future trends. With the help of visionary approach, requirement
of future could be identified and skills can be raised accordingly. Setting goals: This is another valid strategy which can be used by an individual for his
self-managed learning. This strategy focuses more on the particular aspect rather than on
future needs. Being an optimistic: This is another significant and effective approach of self-managed
learning. It helps in increasing the learning level of an individual (Avalos, 2011). An
individual can learn various relevant facts from his/her surroundings. This approach is
highly relevant as it increases the sense of respect towards other individuals.
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 Seminars and conferences: This is another effective approach of self-managed learning.
Under seminars, number of people exchange their thoughts and ideas with each other. All
this helps in increasing the knowledge of a person and boosting his confidence.
1.2 Ways in which both personal and professional learning can be encouraged
Variety of ways are there through which both personal and professional learning could be
encouraged. Setting of objectives: For encouraging the lifelong learning, an individual can set short or
long term goals which encourage the person for increasing his potentials and qualities
and in this way, lifelong learning could be encouraged (Bauer, 2010). Various long and
short term goals provide path and direction to the individual and in this way, lifelong
learning could be encouraged. Workplace pressure: A research reveals that workplace pressure encourages lifelong
learning of an individual. A challenge and goal can be set by an individual than can
influence or motivate the other to focus more on lifelong learning. It helps in developing
a learning attitude in an individual. Along with this, putting an individual in a complex or
challenging situation can be another method for encouraging lifelong learning.
 Leadership: Effective leadership is another method which increases the knowledge of a
person. Leader handles a variety of employees in an enterprise and everyday he learns
something new. It is essential for a leader to learn about various approaches about how he
can handle the behaviour of different employees in an organisation to get the desired
results.
1.3 Various benefits of self-managed learning to individual and organisation
Self-managed learning provides various benefits to both individual and organisation and
this can be better understood by the following points:
 Benefits to organisation: One of the main benefits to organisations is that it helps them
in getting dedicated and responsible employees for handling critical situations at
workplace. Firm can depend on these types of workers and involve them in the decision
making process (Black and Plowright, 2010). Further, if an enterprise has a large number
of employees having self-managed learning attitude then their skills can be increased and
firm can get various advantages from them. Moreover, these types of workers can play as
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a role model for other employees and they can motivate other individuals to develop self-
managed learning attitude. All these are the main benefits of self-managed learning
approaches to the organisation.
 Benefits to individuals: One of the main benefits of self-managed learning approach to
individuals is that it helps him/her in attaining their set objectives and examples. Self-
managed learning approach increases the competitiveness’s. Further, individuals can get
promotion and higher position in the organisation (Brody and Hadar, 2011). It increases
the self-confidence of individual and at the same time, minimise chances of errors in both
personal and professional life.
4.1 Work based problem and its solution
In today's multi culture environment employees face problem regarding working in a
team and managing their time. Every individual faces problems and issues while performing
work in the firm. It is essential to solve the issues as this decreases the productivity of workers.
For this, various self-managed learning programmes can be conducted by the manager at
workplace in different types of groups where large number of individuals can share their ideas
and thoughts with each other. Evaluation of various activities on timely basis is necessary so that
improvement can be done on the same (Kumari, 2011). Group learning is more interesting and
produces better results than individual learning. When large number of people come together
then everyone says his or her point of view or exchange their thought and ideas and provide
different solutions for the same problem. This not only increases the knowledge of an individual
but at the same time, this is very cost effective also. When large number of individuals work in a
team than it save the time of enterprise in solving critical question. Feedback can be collected
from different individuals in order to identify any issue faced by them. After that, research can be
conducted to find the solutions to various problems. By doing this, completion of all tasks can be
done in an effective way and maximum results can be achieved.
4.2 Variety of communication styles at various levels
Communication is the process of exchanging ideas and thoughts between two or more
persons. Individuals who send message are called sender and the person who receive it is known
as receiver. This is one of the essential elements of every organisation. This process has taken
place in every level of firm. Formal communication take place among top manager of
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organisation while the communication which take place among the lower level managers is
informal. Basically communication is divided in two types which are:
 Top level: Formal communication take place among the top level mostly in the written
form. Lower level: This type of communication is more informal and take place in the oral
form. Oral communication: When sender his ideas to other person which the helps of oral
words than this type of communication is known as oral and face to face communication.
Fast deliver of message is one of the main benefit of this type of communication
(Nofziger and et. al., 2010). For achieving the main goals of communication process it is
very necessary for sender to use simple and effective words during the whole process of
communication.
 Written communication: When sender write the message on the paper and than send it to
the receiver than it is known written communication. This type of communication is very
lengthy and time consuming which increase the cost of communication process.
4.3 Evaluation and use of effective time management strategies
Time management strategies is very important for ALDI company because with the help
of this, firm can complete their project on time and with effective manner. It includes various
tactics that can be used by cited firm which are as follows-
 Setting objectives- It is the most important task that should be done by every enterprise
because it provides direction to the people that what should be done for achieving the
specified objectibves.
 Organise- With the help of this tactics, resources can be kept in most optimum manner by
which company will be able to receive posiitive outcome.
 Scheduling- In this, manager tries to give scheduling to each and every activity by which
project can be completed within stipulate period of time.
 Time bound- It is very necessary that all activities will be time bound so that project can
be completed within stipulated time.
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Proactive- In this approach, managers look activities in proactive manner for gaining knowledge
about performance and gaps.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of own current skills and qualities against organisational objectives
Every organisation does various efforts for hiring skilled candidates and providing
training to their current employees for making sure that goals of organisation are met. Leadership
and time management all the skills are important which should be there in every individual.
Personal skills: If I do evaluation or try to find out that what are the best skills in me
then I would like to say that I have good communication, listening and researching abilities
which help me in meeting the expectations of organisations. I also want to share all my skills
with others that would support me in inventing new things and processes in the organisation.
Current competency Rating Comment
Communication skills Good My communication skills are
effective which help me in
better exchange my views
Decision making Good Taking effective decision is
one of the main strengths of
mine. This help me in facing
the critical situation.
Woking in a team Poor Working in a team skill of
mine is not effective so in this
I need to work on this.
Name:
Education:
Work experience:
Strengths:
 Confidence
 Patience
 Communication
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 Good hand writing
2.2 Identification of own development needs and activities required
Strengths:
 Communications skills
 Confidence
 Like to accept challenges
 Learning skills
Weakness
 Short tempered
 Ineffective leadership skills
 Resist to change
 Team quality
Opportunities
 Competitive environment
 Better opportunities
 New skills
Threats
 Recession
2.3 Identification of developmental opportunities
Current needs: According to my analysis I find that my current level of competency and
what I can do at present is that I already adopt the multi culture environment and I respect the
difference of individuals, I easily learn the new things. Other than my current skills I observed
that still I need to work on skills like strategic planning, personal development, leading people,
inspiring people and building relationships.
Future needs: There is a need to take my personal development to the next level of
understanding. In general, every type of skill is important and necessary for getting success in
the coming years. It includes skills like leading people, managing change, strategic planning,
employee development,inspiring people and balance between personal and professional life.
2.4 Devising personal and professional development plan
Planning is one of the important factor in both personal and professional life. Everyone
can draw or make a plan that will help one to know where they are in present and where they
want to go in future in personal and professional life. For this I need to do proper planning in
workplace for the future development due to various requirement of organisation. Change is one
of the important element of everyone's life so new skills and knowledge will be gather by
explore the activities. Below are some of the required stage for the development plan.
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SWOT analysis: Timely monitoring the personal analysis with the help of SWOT I am able to
identify my strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. Further, I will do self learning
technique and process in order to solve my weakness and threats. All this give me more
opportunities in my profession for growth.
Time frame analysis also assist or help me a lot in my professional development from the
time when I started my career till and still where I m plan to reach. Along with this, I need to
learn more things effectively by take part in the conferences and learning programs which will
help me develop various skills of my personality.
3.1 Activities required to implement the plan
Changes are taking place at a very fast speed in various type of industries and in this case
every enterprise, to effectively implement the development plan introduce some type of personal
and professional development. Following are the key points required which will be required: Scope and content of development plan: Main focus of personal development plans is to
be used by various number of staff members. Under this forms will be used and guidance
gave to the users about the specific areas of development. Main aim of this is to motivate
the individuals as par their development needs. Relationship between the aim of plan ans its links: For performing all the tasks of a job
in an effective way it is very necessary that development plan should be focused on the
main purpose (Cooke, 2012). It helps in take the development plan to the next level. It
helps individuals to give consideration to personal and professional effectiveness in
relation to its developmental needs. Implementation and support: For effectively implement the plan, it requires lot of
communication and training efforts to achieve set objectives. Sometimes employees give
their own judgement for the development plan which sometimes create hurdle in the
development process. Along with this for effectively implementing it is very necessary to
maintain the interest of employees in the development planning.
 Impact: Impact of personal and professional development plan is change in the culture of
firm. Managers and employees who contribute a lot in research of the development plan
approach it with its business development.
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3.2 Document development activities
After all the activities which is required for personal and professional business analysis
taken into action. Following are the key points required while prepare documents for
development.
 Create a document than collect all the initial thoughts, create all the data required, all the
relevant meeting notes and decisions also contain in this (Hadar and Brody, 2013). This
document include all the notes, coming thoughts and concepts etc.
 After that, drafted document get review with all the members of team, they try to find the
loop holes as it helps in improve the current process. So it is every essential to present
this document before all the members. It also assist in introduce something new , new
ideas which positively impact the personal and professional development plan.
3.3 Own learning against original objectives and aims
Give time and reflect to personal and professional development plan is very necessary in
order to evaluate your own working and progress in the direction of aspirations and goals.
Reflection gives you the logic from your own thoughts, experience and knowledge, all this help
you to improve. During the reflection on personal and professional development plan following
things are there which come in the mind of a person how much work has been done? What type
of training has been completed? What did he achieve? Do one need further training?
If one has completed his goal or achieve his objective, there is no end, you have to keep
your achievements in the mind and should try to achieve higher goals by exploring your
thoughts and ideas (Hamza, 2010). Basically this a plan cycle one need to first review all the
things after than need to change the aim and should try to achieve and again repeat the same
steps. All this should be communicated with top authorities and a plan should be made to achieve
the set results. Following are the key points included while reviewing the research plan: Meeting preparation: What one achieve till today? In both personal and professional
level. Main aim behind this is to make that all members of team have same expectations. Past knowledge and experience: Under this there is a need for you to first think about
what are the skills and qualities you achieved or developed through past experience
 Expectations and motivation: Know about what is the expectations form the
development plan is one of the necessary. What are the qualities and skills you want to
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develop in yourself and what are your aims you are expects in the coming future years.
Further main aim of this is to know what is the areas one need to work on.
3.4 Update development plan based on collected feedback
During the continuous review it is very necessary to consider the things such as how you
feel during the research ? Is the current method is effective for the research to there is a need to
change ? Is there is a need to change the objectives and goals ? It is necessary to find out the
most satisfactorily method, what was the significant achievement and why ?
What you have improve or what you need to improve ? Further, there is need develop and
make a plan to execute all the things in a right way. Planning: there is a need to think and develop a plan for achieve the aims and goals of
the development plan. A clear beginning helps in define the objectives and at the same
time assist in that you have all the required resources for achieving the goals (Jasper,
2011). It is very necessary to collect all the relevant information while work with the
goals and research. Review of goals is very necessary by this one can improve the results.
 Review: If individual take some time to review the set goals it helps him in better
understand about himself and encourage to achieve better results of the developmental
plan. Along with this it help in provide true and clear picture of what one really wants to
achieve ?
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that enterprises can use a personal and
professional plan for enhancing the skills of its employees in order to achieve set results.
Learning of an individual can be increased by using various approaches of self-managed
learning. Lifelong learning of a person can be encouraged by using various ways. Organisations
can use and encourage the self-managed learning as this provides various benefits to both; an
individual and organisation. Further, a development plan can be made or developed by an
individual for increasing various skills in order to survive in the complex business environment.
Also, it has been assessed that it is necessary to implement all activities in an effective way for
achieving desired results. Further, improvement can be done in the developmental plan as per
collected feedback in order to improve the output. Further, various time management strategies
can be used by an individual to manage the time and complete all tasks effectively.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Avalos, B., 2011. Teacher professional development in Teaching and Teacher Education over ten
years.Teaching and teacher education. 27(1). pp.10-20.
Bauer, W. I., 2010. Your personal learning network: Professional development on demand.
Music Educators Journal. 97(2). pp.37-42.
Black, P. E. and Plowright, D., 2010. A multi‐dimensional model of reflective learning for
professional development. Reflective Practice. 11(2). pp.245-258.
Brody, D. and Hadar, L., 2011. “I speak prose and I now know it.” Personal development
trajectories among teacher educators in a professional development community.Teaching
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Cooke, N. A., 2012. Professional development 2.0 for librarians: Developing an online personal
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Hadar, L. L. and Brody, D. L., 2013. The interaction between group processes and personal
professional trajectories in a professional development community for teacher educators.
Journal of Teacher Education. 64(2). pp.145-161.
Hamza, A., 2010. International experience an opportunity for professional development in higher
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Jasper, M., 2011. Professional Development, Reflection and Decision-making for Nurses(Vol.
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Kumari, N., 2011. Personal therapy as a mandatory requirement for counselling psychologists in
training: A qualitative study of the impact of therapy on trainees’ personal and
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McNiff, J., 2010. Action research for professional development: Concise advice for new action
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Moon, J. A., 2013. Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and practice.
Routledge.
Mwalongo, A., 2011. Teachers' perceptions about ICT for teaching, professional development,
administration and personal use. International Journal of Education and development
using information and communication Technology. 7(3). p.36.
Nicholls, G., 2014.Professional development in higher education: New dimensions and
directions. Routledge.
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Nofziger and et.al., 2010. Impact of peer assessment on the professional development of medical
students: a qualitative study. Academic Medicine. 85(1). pp.140-147.
Olsen, B., 2015.Teaching what they learn, learning what they live: How teachers' personal
histories shape their professional development. Routledge.
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Stenfors-Hayes and et.al., 2010. Being a mentor for undergraduate medical students enhances
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Zepeda, S.J., 2012. Professional development: What works. Eye on education.
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