Personal and Professional Development

This assignment delves into the multifaceted realm of personal and professional development. It requires students to analyze various scholarly sources, including those by Day et al., Desimone, Fan and Hou, Hunter et al., Johns, Kumari, Lessing and De W, Lown et al., Moon, Ricketts and Ricketts, Throop and Marion, Webster-W, Wellington and Sikes. Students must critically examine the role of personal development in various professions, considering factors like reflective practices, continuous learning, and the impact on professional growth.

PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Identifying different approaches of self-managed learning and evaluating their relevance. 1
1.2 Ways to encourage lifelong learning in personal and professional development plan.........2
1.3 Evaluating benefits of self managed learning to individual and organisation......................3
PART 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Evaluating own current skills and competencies against professional standard and
organisational objectives.............................................................................................................3
2.2 Identifying own development needs and activities required to meet them...........................4
2.3 Identify development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs.....................6
2.4 Preparing personal and professional development plan based on identified needs..............6
3.1 Process and activities required to implement personal development plan............................8
PART 3............................................................................................................................................8
4.1 Solutions to work based problems........................................................................................8
4.2 Various communication styles used in an organisation........................................................9
4.3 Use of time management strategies in organisation..............................................................9
PART 4..........................................................................................................................................10
3.2 Undertaking document development activities as planned.................................................10
3.3 Critically reflect own learning against aims and objectives in the development plan........10
3.4 Update development plan based on feedback and evaluation.............................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

Index of Tables
Table 1: Personal SWOT analysis ..................................................................................................3
Table 2: Own development needs and activities required to meet them.........................................5
Table 3: Personal and professional development plan.....................................................................7
Table 4: Updated personal and professional development plan....................................................11
Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Different learning style proposed by Honey and Mumford......................................2

INTRODUCTION
Business enterprises hire skilled and efficient people so that their organisational
objectives can be attained successfully. They provide training and development sessions to
professionals in order to maintain and improve their efficiency. On the counterpart, employees
themselves are also interested in building their skills and abilities. Therefore, they prepare
personal and professional development plan to evaluate their performance (Avalos, 2011). It is a
formal means through which an individual set out goals, strategies and outcomes of learning and
training. Holiday Inn is a popular hotel company that provides luxurious and delightful
hospitality services to guests and visitors. Beginning my career as an HR executive of concerned
company I will undertake my own personal and professional development plan in given report.
PART 1
1.1 Identifying different approaches of self-managed learning and evaluating their relevance
Learning is a continuous ongoing process which take place to improve skills and abilities
of individuals. This process is generally implemented under experienced people guidance
although, self managed learning is another important branch of it. There are three main types of
self learning approach prescribed below:
 Behaviourist approach: It is a traditional approach according to which the learner is
able to develop his capability by making repetitive practice of tasks assigned to him
(Hunter, Laursen and Seymour, 2012). Here, trainer plays crucial role by providing
feedbacks to learner so that immediate improvements can be initiated within the Holiday
Inn. I can incorporate this approach by completing my responsibility of daily basis and
take feedback upon the same. Through this, I can able to complete my job roles in
effectual manner. Also, this will help in enhancing my productivity as well.
 Cognitive approach: The second approach highlights importance of learner itself to
undertake different stages of learning process. Under this approach within the Holiday
Inn mentor plays secondary by instructing trainee to increase his efficiency. Learner
himself identifies his strength and weakness in order to grab opportunities. This style of
learning will be used by me for completing additional responsibilities. I am able to
communicate in effectual manner which will help me in fulfilling my job role of HR.
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 Humanistic approach: According to this modern approach of self learning process,
learner is able to develop his skills by studying and analysing experience of own and
others. The core area covered in this approach is experimental learning that provides
better guidance in undertaking responsibilities (Moon, 2013). In this respect, I will
analyse my experience as a HR assistant and hence focuses on not repeating the things in
future which doesn’t get well in past. This set of practice will act as a self managed
learning which eventually develops into lifelong learning.
One of the effectual approach that manages the self-managed learning include learning
via conducting research or learning through internet etc. Conducting market research promote
the individual in acquiring deep knowledge related with the particular area and field so that
individual can render proper service within the hospitality organisation that is Holiday Inn. In
addition to this, learning via conducting research can also alleviate the procedure of increasing
insight data collection and information that will often outcome in broaden the knowledge that
support in understanding the problem. The approaches are of keen importance for a professional
to adopt required changes, techniques, process and procedure to improve capability of an
individual.
1.2 Ways to encourage lifelong learning in personal and professional development plan
Illustration 1: Different learning style proposed by Honey and Mumford.
(Source: Rickettsand Ricketts, 2010)
To carry out an appropriate personal and professional development plan various learning
styles should be inculcated. Enumerated are four distinct learning styles developed by Peter
honey and Alan Mumford.
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 Activist learners: It signifies group of those individuals that undertake learning process
by immediate and new experiences. They are open minded and enthusiastic people that
perform learning activities like group discussions, puzzles, competition and role play. Theorist learners: These learners are interested in determining theory behind the actions
so that models, concepts and principles can be framed (Webster, 2011). They adopt
learning activities like stories, models, quotes and background information. Pragmatist learners: According to this learning style, it is evaluated that how put
learning theories into practice in real world. Learners believe that experiments, trying out
new ideas, theories and techniques are included in it. Here, learning activities are in form
of case studies, discussions and solving problem.
 Reflector learners: These type of individuals learn by observing and thinking about
activities happening around (Lown and et.al, 2010.). They prefer to stand back and view
experience from number of different perspectives, collecting data and taking time to work
accordingly.
In addition to it, there are several other measures as well that aids in lifelong learning. In
this respect, I can undertake apprenticeship in the field of HR with prominent company. Through
this, I will gain information related to real world scenario and hence can able to learn new things
in effectual manner. Further, I can opt further education with respect to HR in hospitality sector
in order to boost my lifelong learning. With this, I can secure progressive career. Also, I can
focus on professional development by undertaking relevant modules. Through this, my
personality will get improved and hence I can able to grasp opportunities.
For encouraging the lifelong learning it is essential for the individual for conducting
SWOT analysis so that they can easily measure their strength, weakness, threats and
opportunities within and outside the organization. This is considered as an impressive method
that contribute the lifelong scholarship among the respective that help them in processing their
skills and abilities in both the context that is personal and professional development. However,
with the help of conducting SWOT analysis individual will find out their strength as well as
imperfection that issue the working situation of the organization. Thus, to victory the weakness
and threat that are identified within the individual they can primed their own goals that assist
them in rising their skills and knowledge that will positively assist them in performing their
activities in both personal and professional contexts.
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1.3 Evaluating benefits of self managed learning to individual and organisation
Self learning is the gift which keeps on giving and it gives you to back. Its main
advantage that we became an independent thinker. In me it creates the knowledge and brain
storming too. To sum up the benefits concerning individual & organization:
BENEFITS OF SELF MANAGED LEARNING
TO INDIVIDUAL TO ORGANIZATION
Performance Improvement: I will be able to
enhance my performance, which will help me
in achieving my future goals and objectives.
Team Binding: Self learning for organization
can be done with the help of team work or
team spirit. It will create the team learning of
an individual person. It builds the personal
knowledge or management skills in the
organization (Kumari, 2011).
Communication: In line with the above
mentioned point, focus on interaction skills can
be done.
It will easily connect with the all team member
or it will be achieve the goal for the future. We
will learn for the whole life.
Analysis: I can be able to understand varied
situation by analysing it critically. Further, self
managed learning helps me in shaping
personality and knowledge towards subject
matter which will assist in attaining my
objectives.
Self learner will reduce the barriers and threat
of the company. Self learner will create the
innovation skills in our company. It will
increase the productivity and increase the sales
in the company (Moon, 2013).
All the Team member will be motivated in the organization. The corporate sector will be
grow in all the sector. It will achieve the better post in the company. It will build the confidence
to give presentation to audience (Throop and Marion, 2010).
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PART 2
2.1 Evaluating own current skills and competencies against professional standard and
organisational objectives
Recently, I have been appointed as HR executive of Holiday Inn, there are various
functions for which I am liable. Now, in order to perform these responsibilities effectively I need
to evaluate my current abilities against professional standard. This is possible through my
personal SWOT analysis which will reflect my strength and weakness along with opportunities
and threats.
Table 1: Personal SWOT analysis
Strengths Weaknesses
 I am good at making proper
decision within specified period
so that constant mechanism is
followed.
 Another merit is I adopt proper
time management techniques
which helps to meet deadlines
effectively.
 I give emphasis on self managed
learning process to upgrade my
skills.
 Poor communication and interaction
skills act as a hurdle for me to
communicate with my subordinates
and employees.
 I lack proper leadership qualities
which is fruitful in establishing public
relations and achieving desired goals.
 Team conflicts often occur under my
supervision and I am not able to
properly handle this situation.
 There is need to develop my
professional and technical skill in
coming up future.
Opportunities Threats
 Better job opportunities are
available in hospitality industry
with higher position and
monetary benefits.
 Interaction with various eminent
personalities like leaders,
businessman, artists entering in
concerned hotel premises.
 Improve my knowledge about
employee legislation and
establish good relation with them.
 I will face tough competition with my
peers and colleagues which may
hamper my efficiency.
 Technical advancement and up
gradation is advantageous if adopted
at proper time or I will lag behind.
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2.2 Identifying own development needs and activities required to meet them
On the basis of above analysis I am able to concentrate on core areas essential to perform
my roles and responsibilities. As a HR executive, I perform various functions like recruiting
appropriate candidates, training and developing them, performance assessment and conduct their
cessation process. To perform these duties properly I need to develop certain characteristics and
adopt activities to meet them.
Table 2: Own development needs and activities required to meet them
Professional
skills
Present level
(Ranging from
1-weak and 5-
strong)
Example Activities required
to improve
Professional
knowledge
3 As a novice in hospitality industry I
posse theoretical knowledge and lack
experience about practical things.
In order to cope up
I will take
coaching and
mentoring with
experts and
professionals.
Technical
abilities
3 With change in technology I need to
update my technical skills like good
command over database management
system(DBMS).
For this I will
enrol myself in
certain diploma or
certificate course.
Decision making
process
4 I need to maintain my ability to take
appropriate decisions at the time of
emergencies.
I will actively
participate in
organisations
decision making
process.
Leadership 2 There is need to develop my Self assessment is
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qualities and
teamwork
leadership qualities in order to attain
organisational objectives and
motivate employees to make efforts
in collective interest.
required to
become strong
leaders and use
motivational
theories to develop
team spirit.
Communication
skills
2 To coordinate effectively with
employees I need to focus on
developing my communication skills.
I will attend
seminars,
conferences and
read articles to
improve
concerned
abilities.
Time
management
5 I will retain my ability to manage
things according to time so that
deadlines are meet effectively.
Assigned activities
should be
performed
effectively and
within given time.
2.3 Identify development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs
There is larger scope of opportunities in hospitality industry and a professional should put
in efforts to acquire them. The above mentioned key areas are essential to meet current and
future defined needs. It will help to improve my efficiency to carry out roles and responsibilities
in proper direction. I can evaluate from the above table that certain features I need to brush up
and some are to be developed abruptly.
According to above analysis, it is revealed that I need improve my communication skills,
leadership qualities, professional and technical knowledge. It will help in making optimum
utilisation of information and authority availed to me. Effective communication will help to
interactive openly with employees. While, leadership qualities will develop team spirit among
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members to accomplish desired goals and objectives. In addition, I will enhance my professional
and technical knowledge in order to plan strategies and polices in favour of hotel group.
On the counterpart, I will maintain my ability to make effective decisions and proper use
of time management strategies so that current and future needs are addressed properly. I already
posses these qualities and need to retain them so that my personal and professional goals are
attained properly.
2.4 Preparing personal and professional development plan based on identified needs
In order to complete assessment process I will require preparing personal and
professional development plan. It will reflect what things I need to learn, what resources and
activities are required to perform, how to measure the success and how much time required to
attain these objectives.
Table 3: Personal and professional development plan
Current
performance
Future needs Learning activities Time scale Measurement for
success
Improve
professional
knowledge
I posses
theoretical
aspect of
professional
knowledge
and need to
focus on
practical
aspect
I will adopt
techniques of
coaching and
mentoring from my
seniors and
professional experts
to discuss practical
aspects.
5 months Take feed backs from
senior managers and
colleagues
Need for
strengthening
leadership
qualities
Empower
myself to take
become a
good leader
I will read articles of
eminent leaders and
listen their speeches
4 months Achievement of goals and
objectives in defined time
period will measure my
leadership success
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Poor
communicatio
n skills
Improve my
communicatio
n and
interaction
abilities
I will undertake
activities like
attending seminars,
discussions and
meetings.
3 months I will take feedbacks
from subordinates to
measure my success
Enhance
technical
expertise
Increasing
knowledge
about the
latest
technology
Also, I will enrol
myself in diploma and
certificate courses
3 months Grades and marks
obtained in diploma
course examination will
monitor my success
3.1 Process and activities required to implement personal development plan
In order to make effective use of personal development plan I will adopt several
processes and activities for it. As I evaluated I need to improve my professional knowledge and
skills. My theoretical aspects are clearly defined but when it comes to execute them I am
average at it. So, to enhance them I will take help of my seniors and experts to advice me about
ho to perform roles and responsibilities properly.
The next key area which needs to be focused is my leadership qualities. In order to
strengthen this I will read various articles and essays related to eminent leaders. I will watch their
interviews so that to identify when to use which type of leadership style.
As I posses poor communication skills I will undertake certain steps to improve them.
Interaction with my colleagues, subordinates and mangers will build confidence in me to express
my thoughts properly. In addition, I will use e-learning process to take classes from personality
development websites.
Also, I will focus on enhancing my technical expertise by enrolling myself in diploma
course. It is essential to adopt new technological development taking place in market to retain
your position in the company. As an HR executive it is important to have proper knowledge
about Database management system in order to assess performance of human resources of
concerned hotel group.
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PART 3
4.1 Solutions to work based problems
There are various personalities working in an organisation and performing their assigned
roles and responsibility so that set benchmarks are attained. Holiday Inn is renowned hotel
company that provides hospitality services to its guests and visitors (Wellington and Sikes,
2012). There are different department established to perform various hospitality operations. The
employees are aware about their duties, to whom they are accountable for and what are there
expectations from organisation.
However, work based problems are often addressed in its premises and team conflict is
one among them. According to this situation, team members are not able to coordinated properly
due to certain professional or personal issues between them. There is situation of chaos,
aggression and distrust among employees. Even they are not able to fulfil their own duties and
liabilities effectively. This certainly hampers efficiency of individual and the team is not able to
meet its deadlines (Lessing and De W, 2011).
To resolve this problem, team leader should take preventive steps that helps to strengthen
team effectiveness. Primary step in this process is he should communicate with employees that
are facing issues or conflict between them. Further, sense of collectivity and team spirit should
be developed among them. Team leader should address disadvantage of team conflict to
concerned members so they decide to forget their issues and perform together for team
effectiveness.
4.2 Various communication styles used in an organisation
It is believed that effective communication plays crucial role in solving team conflict. In
addition, it is essential for exchanging instructions and ideas within organisational structure.
There are different styles and methods to communicate in a Holiday Inn (Johns, 2012). Firstly,
formal communication which is undertaken in form of meetings, conferences, internet, letters,
telephonic conversation and direct mail. The employees are required to abide instructions
formulated by their supervisor addition. On the other hand, informal communication style is
appropriate to develop strong relationship between employees and employer. It is performed to
discuss certain personal or professional issues and generally performed through face to face
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communication (Desimone, 2010). Apart, Holiday Inn also adopt verbal and non verbal
communication methods which uses oral instructions and written guidelines respectively.
4.3 Use of time management strategies in organisation
Time management is a process of planning and exercising conscious control over amount
of time spent on specific activities especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency and
productivity of the company. The time management strategies is essential to meet deadlines of
organisation within given period (Fan and Hou, 2015). According to it, a professional should
firstly prioritize activities that need to be undertaken depending upon their importance. Then
individual should organise activities and things in appropriate manner so that situation of
confusion and conflict is avoided. Further, operations should be coordinated with each other by
executing in systematic manner. Through these steps the individual is able to attain desired
outcome within given period.
PART 4
3.2 Undertaking document development activities as planned
Through preparation of personal and professional development plan there are various key
areas which need to be improved by myself. So, I will undertake different measures to enhance
them and following are the document development activities required for it: Coaching and mentoring: According to this, sin order to improve enhance leadership
qualities coaching and mentoring are considered effective measures (Day and et.al,
2016). The individual is able to gain experiences and live examples from experts which
help in undertaking roles and responsibilities effectively. E-learning process: It is the latest approach where professionals can solve their queries
through various websites, blogs and video conferencing. It is appropriate tool to
overcome various demerits and also stay technically sound in performing various
activities.
 Courses, seminars and workshops: In order to enhance professional knowledge an
individual should attend seminars and workshops (Chris Rose, 2016). In addition to this
enrolment in certain certificate course also helps to improve quality standards of
individual.
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3.3 Critically reflect own learning against aims and objectives in the development plan
The above mentioned measures and activities have played crucial role in attaining aims
and objectives of my personal development plan. I have focussed on developing professional and
technical knowledge, communication skills and leadership qualities.
In order to improve my technical and professional knowledge I enrolled myself in
diploma courses related to human resource management. It widens my concepts as I cam e to
know about various new theories and principles essential for proper management of employees
in Holiday Inn. Also, adopted technique of coaching and mentoring which helped to acquire
expert advice from experienced people. E-learning process helped me to improve communication
skills as I interacted with people on social media. In addition, to increase my communication
skills attended seminars and conferences which build my confidence to communicate openly
with people.
3.4 Update development plan based on feedback and evaluation
The given below table reflects my updated personal and professional development plan
which is based on feedback and evaluation of above traits:
Table 4: Updated personal and professional development plan
LEARNIN
G
OBJECTI
VE/GOAL
CURRENT
PROFICIENC
Y
TARGET
PROFICIEN
CY
DEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
TIME SCALE EVIDENC
E
1 Professio
nal
knowled
ge
3 4
Adopted technique of
coaching and
mentoring
5 months
Higher
qualifica
tion and
enhance
ment of
resume
2 Leadersh
ip
qualities
2 3
Reading newspapers,
magazines and
articles of eminent
leaders and listening
their interviews
4 months
Meeting
goals
and
objective
s
effective
ly
3 Commun
ication
skills
2 4
Attending meetings,
seminars and
conference.
3 months
Build
strong
and
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interacti
ve
personali
ty in the
enterpris
e
4 Technica
l
expertise
3 4
Enrolled in diploma
course for few
months. Also, use e-
learning process for
improving technical
knowledge
3 months
Enhance
curriculu
m vitae.
CONCLUSION
The above report articulates efforts made by HR executive of Holiday Inn to accomplish
duties and responsibilities effectively. It describes importance of self managed learning process
and learning style proposed by Honey and Murford. The concerned professional evaluate his
skills and abilities against professionals standards in through personal SWOT analysis. Later,
various methods and techniques like mentoring, coaching, e-learning and attending seminars.
The report also reflects certain work based problem and its solution along with time management
strategies and communication style adopted in Holiday Inn.
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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.
Chris Rose., 2016. The Personal Development Group. The Students' Guide. Karnac Books.
Day, C. and et.al., 2016. The personal and professional selves of teachers: stable and unstable
identities. British educational research journal. 32(4).pp.601-616.
Desimone, L.M., 2010. Improving impact studies of teachers’ professional development: Toward
better conceptualizations and measures. Educational researcher. 38(3). pp.181-199.
Fan, A.P., and Hou, S., 2015. The association between parental socioeconomic status (SES) and
medical students' personal and professional development. ANNALS-ACADEMY OF
MEDICINE SINGAPORE.36(9).p.735.
Hunter, A.B., Laursen, S.L. and Seymour, E., 2012. Becoming a scientist: The role of
undergraduate research in students' cognitive, personal, and professional development.
Science education. 91(1). pp.36-74.
Johns, H., 2012. Personal Development in Counsellor Training. Hazel Johns.
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 professional
development. Counselling Psychology Quarterly. 24(3). pp.211-232.
Lessing, A. and De W, M., 2011. The value of continuous professional development: teachers'
perceptions. South African Journal of Education. 27(1). pp.53-67.
Lown, N., and et.al., 2010. Development of a method to investigate medical students’
perceptions of their personal and professional development. Advances in health sciences
education. 14(4). pp.475-486.
Moon, J.A., 2013. Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and practice.
Routledge.
Ricketts, C. and Ricketts. J., 2010. Leadership: Personal Development and Career Success.
3rd Ed. Cengage Learning.
Throop, R. K. and Marion B. C., 2010. Reaching Your Potential: Personal and Professional
Development. Cengage Learning Ed.
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Webster-W. A., 2011. Reframing professional development through understanding authentic
professional learning. Review of educational research. 79(2). pp.702-739.
Wellington, J. and Sikes, P., 2012. ‘A doctorate in a tight compartment’: why do students choose
a professional doctorate and what impact does it have on their personal and professional
lives?. Studies in Higher Education. 31(6). pp.723-734.
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