Business Psychology: Approaches, Core Skills, and Action Plan

This report covers the several approaches of psychology and three necessary core skills that are possessed by individual. Lastly, it includes the action plan which is followed by SWOT analysis and SMART objectives.

Business Psychology
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Table of Content
Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................3
Approaches of psychology..........................................................................................................3
Reflective that comprise of three core skills................................................................................4
Action plan...................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
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INTRODUCTION
Business psychology is described as the practice of improving the quality of work life by
understanding the behaviour of human in order to attain sustainable performance (Bens, 2017). It
help in training and motivating the subordinates so as to develop a better atmosphere in a firm.
This report covers the several approaches of psychology and three necessary core skills that are
possessed by individual. Lastly. It includes the action plan which is followed by SWOT analysis
and SMART objectives.
Main Body
Approaches of psychology
In today’s modern era, psychology play a crucial role in everyone’s life as it helps
individuals to behave or act in their own way which facilitate best decision making as it provide
a better communication and thus shape a bright future (Gill, 2017). The main motive of
psychology is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to be happy at a mental level which ensure
future success. By motivating self and developing positive attitude aids an individual in
improving the quality of life and thus provide a better standard as people would make their own
decisions and inculcate confidence and determination among them. The several approaches of
psychology are elucidated below:
Behaviourist perspective: This approach emphasises on observing the behaviour of
humans as it is controlled by the surrounding of environment. This perceives the way as try to
learn new things in a different manner which help in retaining information for a longer time. In
this, people could retain and learn from environment through classical conditioning theory as it
form a basis in which different people perceive different stimuli likewise the dog react and tend
to salivate the moment the food is kept as the bell rings (Gray and Graham, 2019).
Psychodynamic perspective: The people behave and perceive things in a different manner
as it is determined by their unconscious mind as well as childhood memories. This theory is
propounded by Freud who believe that the unconscious mind consists of three attributes such as
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id, ego and lastly is superego. The main advantage of psychodynamic approach is that it helps
individuals to resolve the conflicts promptly so that working operations would not be hampered.
Cognitive perspective: This is a broader term in psychology which allow an individual to
deal with mental process like critical thinking, solving complicated issues and rendering
information in such a manner so that information or data is utilised and stored in an effective
manner. This theory focus on taking action as it tend to determine the mental ability of individual
through which knowledge is acquired as in this their brain has been compared to computer
process which possess similarity of storing and retrieving the information in a proper manner.
Humanistic perspective: In this approach of psychology, this involve the process in which
an individual observes their nature and depict a way through which they view their life. This
insight provides a better understanding of information and provide a method of dealing with
challenges and problems as they would conquer it with patience and calm (Håkanson, Ambos,
Schuster and Leicht-Deobald, 2016). This perspective tell that it is the human behaviour who is
responsible for its own happiness and has aim in its life to achieve greater height of success in
their career which improve their satisfaction level.
Therefore, it can be determined that there are different approaches which are considered
in psychology as it provides the basis that human behaviour is unique and different in accordance
of prevailing situation. So, it is necessary to find an effective solution as soon as possible which
create a healthy mind and ensure greater success in future (Zaichkowsky, 2020).
Reflective that comprise of three core skills
Skills play an important role in shaping one’s career as they could conduct self-analysis in
order to determine results as this ensure a better way to move forward in life which bring
prosperity of success (Lefkowitz, 2017). The three most important skills that must be possessed
by individual are as follows:
What is core skill?
My first most significant skills that I selected is time management. Managing the proper time is
understood as the process of getting the things done as early as possible which could be possible
through setting of goal. It allows an individual to organise the work more efficiently so that task
could be attained within a limited period of time and also it minimises the stress level and
enhance the greater productivity. In a competitive environment, managing the time judiciously is
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so crucial which assist people to enjoy a greater degree of success by providing positive
outcomes.
Why is this skill significant?
Proper management of time would help in completing the work promptly which enhance the
focus level and does not allow an individual to loss their momentum. According to my
perspective, acquiring this type of skill at early would help an individual to fulfil their dreams as
they would not indulge in wrong activities which leads to wastage of time. They could focus on
productive work which provide great learning opportunity and build a great career of an
individual. This is a valuable and utmost skill which require self discipline and it help in
attainment of target within a set time frame.
How competent are you presently?
In a workplace, I was given a target of selling product among the customers within a month, so I
work started towards it from the next day without getting delay so that sale target could be
achieved within a short span of time. According to my point of view, I tends to avoid
procrastination as it hamper the working procedure and lead to delay in activities. I make a
proper planning and a to do list and stick towards it without getting into interruption and make
assurance that I have to complete my work by setting a deadline as it reduce the stress level and
reluctant to feel myself as overburdened.
My managers appreciate my efforts by observing my dedication towards the work as I catch up
the targets within a shorter time which bring positive consequences for the company.
Could you determine any contradiction?
I found that this habit of managing the work properly would help in inculcating my career as
after attaining the targets, I develop more confidence in myself and minimise anxiety.
I really enjoy this experience as I tends to meet with new people and does not feel any sort of
confusion as I complete the work smoothly and efficiently in a best possible manner as present is
the result.
How this core skills would be going to help in future?
In a competitive era, I realised that if I manage my time judiciously then I would get assured
success in future especially in a corporate sector. Managing the time in an efficient manner
would help me to develop enthusiasm and zeal towards the work which in turn create a better
atmosphere for the company. This provide a reasonable level of success in future and shape a
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better path of career.
What is core skill?
The second skill that I want to acquire is public speaking as it has a greater role in a corporate
world. Public speaking is way of conveying information among the audience which commonly
take place through oral presentation as it helps in pertaining the useful information to the
listeners.
Why is this skill necessary?
According to my opinion, good public speaking reflects a better personality of an individual as it
develops confidence and provide a way to convey the useful meaning among the users as it is
seen as a worth in career prospects and also provide a growth in every aspect of individual. Also,
public speaking also helps people to feel comfortable and ensure more confidence which also
help in influencing and winning the hearts of audience. I think that this type of skills would no
doubt would bring huge improvement and help in managing the things in a systematic manner.
How competent are you at present?
After analysing that public speaking could be done with patience and calmly so I do lot of mirror
practice and with my friends and colleagues in a workplace. In a company, I have to give the first
presentation in which I feel quite nervous at firstly then them moment when I start giving my
presentation then everyone cooperates with me which develop self-confidence.
My peers and other colleagues provide me the feedback that I could do a great in my career as
this skill is crucial and help me in facing challenging problems.
Could you identify any sort of contradictions?
I need to emphasise more on improving public speaking as it help in expressing the opinions to
another person and also the positive feedback that is received to me help in removing shyness
and I have render a lot of presentations in a workplace which improve my vocabulary as well as
create a positive image in a workplace.
How such core skills would help me in future?
I think public speaking would assist me a lot in future as this provide vast opportunities in
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different sectors which render an effective growth in a corporate sector. As I would not hesitate
and would like to surround around crowd and which create a good network and thus provide a
better aspect in future. Also, it helps me in achieving higher positions which possess certain
leadership qualities and develop decision making abilities and tends to promote new ideas which
shape an influential personality. It develops professionalism attitude as it provides improvement
in every aspect of life and thus bring big change in personality development.
What is the core skill?
The third skill that I want to learn is team work. Team work mean that the group of individuals
who come together for attainment of common purpose as they develop a positive atmosphere and
friendly environment. This accelerated greater productivity and more new and innovative ideas
would be taken into consideration that ensure growth and thus bring a better decision that prove
to be advantageous for the company.
Why is this kind of skill being significant?
Developing a strong team spirit would create a bright future as it improves the overall
effectiveness and help in managing and carrying the things in an easy manner. Efficient team
also help in solving varied issues so that the company would not face any kind of uncertainties
and also the burden on one person is minimised as there is proper division of work among the
team members such that their talent and skills matches their attributes which help in gaining
maximum exposure. It involve sharing of ideas and knowledge that provide a better learning
experience and help in enhancing the greater path of career.
How competent are you at present?
Earlier, I do not ability to work in a proper manner which hamper the growth as it led to
complexities and thus affect the overall working procedure. So, When I start work as a team, I
realised my capability and would tends to develop work in an easy manner. I learn to manage the
overall operations through this skill and develop an ability to work patiently even in case of
workload situation and face challenging positions which shape a better personality of mine.
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My peers taught me that I am friendly nature and could have ability to cope up with pressure as
my hard work and dedication would help me in achieving a vast success.
Could you identify contradictions?
I am an emotional kind of person and tends to trust easily on others so sometimes my colleagues
tend to pass their part of work on me. I could not easily say no to others and are ready for
whatever they do so this weakness lead to overburdened me and affect my career growth.
How would this skill aids in future?
As I realised that efficient team work would help in promoting better communication and sense
of collaboration in a workplace as the creativity and innovation of an individual would be
utilised that generates more productivity. This skill assist in learning and exploring new things
which promote a new way of doing things and in a unique manner as it promote a better
experience of life and ensure that success could be achieved by constant learning and doing thing
things creatively as it promote unity of command and facilitate coordination. In addition to this,
working together also help in conquering several challenges as it ensures that task is achieved
within short set of time which bring radical improvement and thus increases the efficiency.
Action plan
The SWOT analysis is done in order to identify the strength and weaknesses by grabbing
each and every opportunity by eliminating the threats (Pinto and Ramalheira, 2017). Through
this framework, one could determine its positivity and weakness and take decisions accordingly
by utilising the strength and by making further improvement in weaknesses. By applying this
model, it is detailed below:
Strength Weakness
Interactive
Direct
Smart
Calm as well as patient
Emotional
Easily trust on others
Anxiety
Invest more time on thinking
Opportunities Threats
I want to work in a company that has various
prospects of growth which provide several
opportunities to learn while developing a
There are several people who are working in a
company since a long time as they claim to be
seniors so this possess a threat for me. They are
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bright future.
I am the person who tries to grab every
opportunity which is available as I believe in
quick actions to be taken place.
first servers who would be recognised for
higher responsibilities such as promotions or
transfers.
Other threat is that excessive competition
would result in declining the overall
productivity and create demotivation and thus
reduce the morale of mine.
By looking towards my strengths, being interactive and smartly is more important as it
help in depicting a better personality which show a vivid success in one’s career. I tend to be
calm while tackling the problems and determine an effective solution which boost the level of
confidence. I conquer several challenges in day to day activities by being smart and patience
(Prajogo and Oke, 2016).
As my manager has also give me the negative feedback of being trust on easily and
anxiety which posses more difficult for me. I think twice before taking any step which
sometimes lead to delay in decision making procedure.
Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely
Development
Area 1
Team
working skills
Monitoring
and
reviewing my
reaction
How could I
handle
conflicts and
manage
proper
sequence of
activities in a
workplace
(Woodside,
2016)
Positivity as
well as
developing
effective
communication
would help in
polishing my
skills
Determination
and
facilitating
cooperation is
the method
through
which I could
make
peaceful
environment
3 months
Development
Area 2
Emotional
attitude
I do not say
no to others
easily as it
creates
How much
emotional I
could be
while
Effective
planning could
be prepared so
that targets
Excessive
emotions in a
workplace
would be
5 months
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intense
atmosphere
so I tend to
work for
them.
perusing the
work
could be met
within set time.
considered as
the major
weakness in a
workplace.
Development
Area 3
Anxiety
To decrease
the level of
anxiety by
controlling it
in a proper
time period.
How much
sleep is
undertaken
by me
Start the work
which is easier
and cultivate a
new hobby
Playing brain
games and
reading good
books would
reduce stress
5 months
CONCLUSION
From the above information, it can be summarised that psychology help in improving the
behaviour of individual and provide them with greater prospects of future. Core skills like public
speaking, team work and time management play a vital role as it help in reflecting a better
personality development. Action plan is also discussed in this report which help in preparing an
individual contributing towards the accomplishment of goals.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Bens, I., 2017. Facilitating with Ease!: core skills for facilitators, team leaders and members,
managers, consultants, and trainers. John Wiley & Sons.
Gill, M.A., 2017. Improving health outcomes in trafficking survivors through core skills
development in the workplace: experience from the Philippines. Dignity: A Journal on
Sexual Exploitation and Violence. 2(2). p.2.
Gray, K. and Graham, J. eds., 2019. Atlas of moral psychology. Guilford Publications.
Håkanson, L., Ambos, B., Schuster, A. and Leicht-Deobald, U., 2016. The psychology of
psychic distance: Antecedents of asymmetric perceptions. Journal of World
Business. 51(2). pp.308-318.
Lefkowitz, J., 2017. Ethics and values in industrial-organizational psychology. Taylor &
Francis.
Pinto, L.H. and Ramalheira, D.C., 2017. Perceived employability of business graduates: The
effect of academic performance and extracurricular activities. Journal of Vocational
Behavior. 99. pp.165-178.
Prajogo, D.I. and Oke, A., 2016. Human capital, service innovation advantage, and business
performance. International Journal of Operations & Production Management.
Woodside, A.G., 2016. Case study research: Core skills in using 15 genres. Emerald Group
Publishing.
Zaichkowsky, J.L., 2020. The psychology behind trademark infringement and counterfeiting.
Psychology Press.
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