Reflective Report on Leadership, Negotiating Skills, and Problem Solving Skills

This reflective report discusses the importance of leadership, negotiating skills, and problem solving skills in the context of pursuing an MBA internship. It explores the use of democratic leadership, effective negotiation techniques, and problem solving strategies. The report also highlights the role of these skills in achieving organizational goals and objectives.

Draft final reflective report

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
I am the student who is pursuing the MBA from University. I need to pursue my MBA
internship from a well develops organization so that I could have a career and professional
growth. Various skills and abilities which can be required for my personal and professional
career development. It need the leadership skills and problem solving skills which can be helpful
the student in leading my career and have hiked in the professional career. In MBA leadership
skills plays a major role as it will help the individual for leading and guiding the employee and
providing them the right guidance. It will also help the student to motivate the employees in the
organization and increase their productivity which in turn will help in achieving the long term
and short term goals of the company. The next most important skills which will be required for
the student to perform satisfactory in organization is the effective communication skills. Through
this skill I will be able to interact with various level of hierarchy whether top management or
middle management and will help me to solve complex problem which occurs during performing
the work. Besides, this it will also help the students to know the various cues of communication
and will make them aware of the ways to effectively communicate.
The internship to involve handling the team of around ten employees and communicating
with the customers to purchase them with products and services. This internship includes
managing the overall work in Microsoft word and preparing excel sheet containing customer
details. I will be working on the post of Manager. Yes I am on management training scheme.
Yes, TESCO has the appraisal system. It is the good system as all the companies must follow
this as this is helpful in motivating and encouraging employees for their good work. TESCO is
the British Multinational groceries and general merchandise retailers. Company had its
headquarter in Welwyn Garden City, England, United Kingdom. It was founded by Jack Cohen.
It is the third biggest retailers in world. It had 3400 stores worldwide. No till I didn't have
appraisal as I will join the internship job now. The various opportunities are offered to me which
has been helpful for me in developing and demonstrating leadership skills, negotiating skills,
problem solving skills and change management skills. The all things will be further developed by
me in the internship so that I could enhance my skills and better attained the organizational goal
and objectives. I could improve it by managing and controlling the team of 10 peoples so this can
be helpful for me developing managerial skills. This all are the key important skills which is
helpful for company in achieving the goal and objectives. By developing these skills in me I
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could have opportunities for leading and managing the teams and employees effectively and
maintains the co-ordination & communication among employees. So that company can get huge
revenues and profits and compete with their rivals in the marketplace.
MAIN BODY
Leadership:
There are various leadership approaches which can be used in an organisation, at the post
of manager. As manager is the leader of the organisation and has to deal with the various
departments of the workplace, but there are various leadership styles and approaches which can
be used by the manager in order to carry its duties and responsibilities (MacBeath, 2019). I as
manager of Tesco which is the one of the most important post in the organisation, I believe that
best model of leadership which can help me in leading the organisation in an effective manner is
Democratic leadership as this is considered as one of the best leadership approaches in present
business scenario. This model can help in enhancing my performance as a manager, this can help
me in becoming more flexible and increase the quality of my work and decisions. This type of
leadership is also known as participative leadership, in which I can allow other employees of the
organisation to participate in the decision-making process. As, I would have to take decisions on
various aspects of improving the business standards of the company, getting their suggestions
and ideas can help me to improve the performance of the organisation to higher levels.
Democratic leadership style mostly emphasis on the collaboration as well as free flow ideas in
the workplace. The basic idea behind adopting this leadership style is that employees are the
most important part of the Tesco's success so it can prove a beneficial decision to include
employees in the decision-making process. Besides, employees are familiar with the
organisational condition so, adopting this style can help me in getting ideas and suggestion from
the employees in free flow (KUMAR and AYEDEE, 2017). Also, adopting this style can help
me in creating a better job satisfaction which is prime responsibility of a manager. This will also
improve employee participation in different tasks of the organisation, which can increase the
productivity of Tesco, and with the help of this engagement, it helps in gaining the competitive
advantage. Also, Tesco is a retailing company and is facing high level of competition in the
industry and this competition may rise in the future which can problems for the company. So, in
order address these problems and to be innovative in the future it is really important for me to
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participate employees in decision making process which is possible on with the help of
democratic leadership.
There are various evidences that I can provide that model has helped in becoming an
effective and successful manager of Tesco. I really believe this model of leadership has helped in
meeting the objectives as there various situations in which I have includes some important
employees of the organisation in order to provide effective solution. For example in the company
performance of the employee was not a satisfactory level and it was really important for me to
enhance their performance (Abowitz, 2016). So, in this situation I called a meeting included
employees and asked their suggestions and considering their suggestions I offered a proper
solution which increased the performance of the employees. For this I was praised by entire
organisation and by my boss as well. I would like illustrate with another example where I really
faced a huge challenges in implementing this model. A company was going to launch a new
product in the market and I seek recommendations about the product development from the
employees. During the meeting, employees in to the debate and atmosphere turned hot in that
situations I felt that there are also some weaknesses of this model. The reason behind this was
that democratic leadership gives a freedom on participation in decision making this can result in
contradiction and may create a sort of conflict among the employees. This is a kind of weakness
which I felt in applying this model in an organisation. This weakness can be overcome by
making a proper planning of participation of employees and providing proper guidelines and
rules of participation in decision making. So, I think there are various thing that I have developed
by adopting this model like what is the importance of being an effective leader, what are the
challenges and opportunities that this leadership style can bring to leader and also I learnt that
what how effective this model can be for the organisation. Though applying this model was quite
successful but there are some things which I need to work on like, proper participation plan of
employees and how to develop a proper guidelines of their participation.
This model has been successful for me and for my company, as there were various
organisational circumstances that were faced by the organisation like low employees
productivity which was the major concern for me and for my company. In this situation I
managed some employees to participate in the decision-making and their participation proved to
be successful for the company which helped in enhancing the performance of employees to
higher levels. So, in this circumstance, this model proved to be effective in every manner as it
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proved beneficial for my performance and the performance of the organisation as well. Also, in
another circumstance this model was also appropriate in which company has to develop a new
product and there were lots of ideas flowing in the workplace and company chose the best one
out of them (Ruschkowski, Dahlstedt and Fejes, 2019). So, this resulted in the successful
development of the product and has helped the company to generate more revenue in short time.
This has also helped in meeting the profitability objective of the Tesco and also helped in gaining
the competitive advantage over the competitors. It also provided me an opportunity to develop
various skills in relation to leadership which can help me in my future development and will help
to become much more improved person professionally and personally.
Negotiating skills
Stevens and et.al., (2016) determined the fact that, Negotiation is an effective method
which h in turn helps in effectively settling the various differences. This is an effective process
which mainly focuses on compromising or making agreement in order avoid various disputes. In
case of any disagreements among individuals negotiation skills is considered to be very
necessary in effectively understanding the best possible outcomes for the particular position.
There are various sets of effective negotiation skills which mainly consists of effective verbal
communication skills, effective in rapport building, listening capabilities, appropriate decision
making skills, reducing misunderstanding, assertiveness, dealing with various difficult situations,
etc. which in turn is considered to be very useful in dealing with the particular decision and take
strategic decision in an efficient and sustainable manner (Stevens and et.al., 2018).
The best negotiation techniques is mainly linked with analysis of the particular problem,
identifying various interest and goals, active listening skills, clear and accurate communication,
teamwork and collaboration, etc. This is considered to be effective communication techniques
which in turn helps in carrying out various business operations of the Tesco. Plc in an efficient
and sustainable manner. An effective process of negotiation mainly includes preparation,
discussion, clarification of goals and objectives, negotiate towards win- win possible outcomes,
agreement, implementation of the particular course of action. The manager of the Tesco plc must
focus on ensuring and taking all the pertinent facts on the particular situation. This in turn helps
in determining the key grounds of refusal.
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The major negotiation skills which are required at the time of discussing the possible
solutions mainly includes interpersonal skills, questioning skills, listening and clarifying skills,
etc. Clarification of the goals is considered to be as an essential part of the negotiation process
because it may cause problems in attaining a particular goal. Isbouts and et.al., (2019) sought to
determine the fact that, manager should possess a positive attitude, knowledge and effective
interpersonal skills in order to perform all the activities in a proper and efficient manner. Positive
attitude of an individual tends to have an influencing impact at the time of negotiation because it
helps in recognizing the needs of the other party and conveying the same to the opponent party.
This helps in making strategic decision which in turn mainly focuses on carrying out the
operations of the business.
Good inter- personnel skills is considered to be essential at the time of negotiation both at
the time of formal or informal situations. The manager should also focus on developing skills
associated with the conflict resolution which in turn mainly helps in carrying out the operations
in a systematic and efficient manner. Persuasion skills and better decision making skills are
considered to be one of the effective measure at the time of negotiation.
Problem solving skills
Hesse and et.al., (2015) sought to analyse the fact that, Problem solving skills helps in
determining the exact cause of the problem and is useful in finding the best possible solution
which in turn helps in attaining higher operational goals and objectives. Problem solving skills
are considered to be important because it helps in identifying and figuring out things which are
necessary and is useful in exerting control over the particular business environment (Shute and
et.al., 2016). There are several sets of problem solving skills which must be possessed by the
manager which mainly consists of analytical skills, creativity and innovation skills, adaptability
skills, flexibility skills, level headedness, resilience and initiative skills which is very useful in
solving various range of problems and finding the best alternative solution. The manager of the
company must also focus on building team working capability skills which in turn is useful in
resolving the particular issue with the help of effective team efforts of an individual which in
turn helps in finding the best solution by taking viewpoints of every individual within the team.
Resilient skills is very useful in assessing why the first idea didn't work well which in turn
largely focuses on carrying out the operations in a systematic and appropriate manner. García
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Peñalvo, (2015) said that, the individual in the company must focus on taking initiative which
mainly focuses on performing the various actions in the relevant and systematic manner. The
problem solving skills is very useful in eliminating various barriers associated with the irrelevant
information, unnecessary constraints, confirmation biasses, etc. this in turn mainly affects the
operations of the managers in the company. Analytical skills is referred to as the ability of an
individual to effectively collect and analyse the information. This also helps in solving problem
and making effective decision. This is very useful in solving the various problems of the
company and in turn focuses on improving the overall productivity of the company. The
manager of the company should be observant which in turn mainly focuses on carrying out the
operations of the business which in turn helps in finding the best solution to the particular
problem. Effective problem solving skills among the manager must help in analysing the current
trend of the market and in turn also focuses on analysing the solution to the particular problem.
Critical thinking skills helps in finding the best possible solution which mainly helps in
evaluating the alternation action plan which leads to higher operational performance and
productivity. This in turn helps in attaining particular set of goals and objectives. The
management of the Tesco company should also focus on dependability skills, communication
skills, creativity skills, analysis, team building skills, researching skills, active listening skills,
etc. which in turn is very useful in analysing the best solution to the particular set of problems.
Simplifying things and forecasting risk helps in effectively carrying out the operations of the
business and find the best solution to the particular problem. The management of the company
must focus on critically analysing the alternative action and must also effectively evaluate the
answer to find the best possible solution. Visualizing the own problems helps in solving various
challenges.
Change management skill
Tang, (2019) stated the fact that Change management skills is mainly inclusive of
the leadership development, communication abilities, marketing and sales abilities. It is crucial
phenomenon as this aids to bring effective change management within the enterprise. In addition
to it, change management is derived as to managed the change to meet out the strategic and
tactical business objectives. Therefore, change management skill are closely interlinked with risk
management, quality management and project management discipline. Leaders must have
effective skills of change management to carry out the entire workforce in effective and efficient
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manner. Change manager leader must take the initiative to analyse, communicates, plans,
schedules and manage the changes effectively. Thus, the enterprise like Tesco has to deal with
the changes to bring innovation within the commodities. Sometimes, they also needs to bring
change in the management of the organisation to carry out the better and effective workforce
environment. Therefore, the change management is termed out as systematic method that has the
ability to transition individual from the current model of operation into the new one. Change is
very vital term in the today's business environment and effective change management skill are
crucial for business to succeed. In order to bring the effective change at the workforce it is
crucial to know about the psychological stages and mindset of the people towards to change.
Thus, better changes within the workforce can be possible if there is leadership skill to develop
the strict business procedure. Effective change managers and leader needs to primarily look over
the engaging people with the good empathy and excellent communication. They need to motivate
the other so that organisation can deal with the changes easily.
At the time of changing business conditions, the most of the employees within the
organisation resist to accept the change. Therefore, individual change management needs to
understand that how people needs to experience the change and bring the effective workforce
management. In addition to it, change management is termed out as process of assisting
individuals and organisational transition from the current state to desired state. In addition to it,
change management defined as the structured approach that aids to ensures that changes must be
smoothly implemented and the lasting benefits of the changes are needed to be accomplished.
Furthermore, change management is termed out as process that has series of business
practices that can be use in terms to control and manage the change. In addition to it, the entire
change management within the enterprise is mainly comprise of the three things as to request
about the change, to undertake evaluation of the time, cost to make the change and implement
the changes effectively and successfully. This is defined as collective approach that helps to
prepare, support and also assist the individual to come up with the changes effectively.
Therefore, the most of drives of changes are as evolution of technological advancement, changes
in consumer habits, process reviews, at the time of crisis and pressure from the new business
entrants. The changes are the crucial process and this needs to execute the effective to have
effective working environment.
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Reflective practice for change management model.
To manage the change and implement the change strategies, this is very crucial to avoid
implementing irrelevant and random techniques that helps to put focus on suitable plan of action.
Henceforth, change management is the ongoing process that takes time, expertise, efforts and
dedication that aids to implement the changes successfully (Getz, 2019). To have better
implementation of change there is need to have involvement of the people or staff of firm and
this also results in these people being affected by the changes too. In order to bring the change
management model, the entity must use the Korter's 8 step change model. This is one of the
effective model that defines the of changing within the organisation. It is one of the effective
model as this enhance the urgency of change and this also assist to build the team that can aids to
brings changes. My team leader has used this model at time of my internship to implement the
change. I must say this model is very useful as this helps to create the vision for change and also
helps to communicate the need for change within the organisation. This is one of the effective
things as this model has the ability to empower the change and this also allows to create the short
term goals. I must say that during the whole implementation this model stay persistent and helps
to make the permanent change.
This is model defines the step by step process that can aids to bring out the better change
management procedure and also encourage leader to work as a team. However, the main focus of
this model on the preparing and accepting the change not to deal with the actual change
management. I have found out during my internship that the main idea behind adoption of this
model is that this model accept the change and prepare individual for accepting it rather than
changing itself. I have experienced that change is one of common thread that run to entire
businesses irrespective of size, industry and age. Thus, Koter's 8 step model is one of crucial
model as this depends on that how people understand the requirement of the change and also
assist during implementation (Cameron and Green, 2019). Therefore, the another change model
that organisation should have adopt is ADKAR model or theory of change is termed out as the
goals oriented tool that makes it possible for the various change management team and this also
allows to put focus on the activities that is directly relate with the goals. This model allows to
incorporate the change on the regular basis. I have found out that this model offers the capability
of identification and evaluation of the reason that why the changes are needed to be made and
why the desired result are not being obtained. In addition to this, this is model that makes this
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possible for one to break down the changes into the different parts and also aids to figure out the
point in which change may not be as effective as planned. Henceforth, Tesco can use these both
models at the time of dealing with the changes. These model can assist to have profitable results.
CONCLUSION
The report can be concluded by mentioning all the skills which are required in the Tesco
to make their employees work in more organized and effective way. The skills which were
required by the employees working in the organization are the leadership skills, skills to deal
with different situations and problems in the organization, negotiation power of the employees
and their ability to change with the time to time changes made in the organization. These are
those factors which shows the overall performance of the employees and how they are adjusting
themselves with the changes made in the organization because of changing preferences and taste
of the customers and the market situations. The Tesco was focusing on the developing the skills
of the employees and the interns who were doing the internship in then organization. This was
done so that the interns should be able to work in different organization in which these skills will
be used and the image of the Tesco will also get more reputed. If the interns will be highly
skilled and will give a good performance in their organization, then the name of Tesco will be
more brighten up in the market. The employees who gave performed well during the time of
their internship, they will be provided with the pre placement offers by the Tesco by which they
will get chance to continue their work in the organization. The literature review of the Tesco gas
used the 4 types of authoritative sources which included one recent refereed journal article which
was used in the first (draft) Learning Journal entry concerning a particular skill. The references
used in the literature review were in the form of journals and the online references which helped
in giving the proper information about the source and sites from which the information was
collected. The weakness in the information available at websites and the wrong or fake
information received from the online sites are also described in the report. The Tesco was having
a clarity in the framework or checklist which were setting the clear standards or criteria by which
the performance based on the skill of the employees were judged by the managers of the
organization while making the performance appraisal.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
 The Tesco should focus on spending a good amount of capital in the training and
development session of the employees and interns so that the skills of the
employees will be improved.
 The expenses made on the developing the skills of the employees should be
recovered by the organization by giving them all the important task and work
during their working period in the organization.
 The work provided to the interns should be basic but must contain some practical
lesson which will be helpful in increasing their knowledges.
 The organization should focus on making the leader more responsible and should
motivate them to increase their working capabilities so that they can solve the
problems of other workers of the Tesco.
 The organizational changes which has to be made in the Tesco must be discussed
first with their employees.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Stevens, C.A and et.al., 2018. Using cognitive agents to train negotiation skills. Frontiers in
psychology. 9. p.154.
Stevens, C.A and et.al., 2016. A metacognitive agent for training negotiation skills.
In Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Cognitive Modeling (ICCM 2016).
Isbouts, L.N and et.al., 2019. Exploring medical residents’ perceived need for negotiation skills
training. Int J Med Educ.10.pp.45-53.
Hesse, F and et.al., 2015. A framework for teachable collaborative problem solving skills.
In Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills (pp. 37-56). Springer, Dordrecht.
Shute, V.J and et.al., 2016. Measuring problem solving skills via stealth assessment in an
engaging video game. Computers in Human Behavior.63.pp.106-117.
García Peñalvo, F.J., 2015. Entrepreneurial and problem solving skills in software engineers.
MacBeath, J., 2019. Leadership for learning. In Instructional Leadership and Leadership for
Learning in Schools. (pp. 49-73). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
KUMAR, A. and AYEDEE, N., 2017. THE CONTRIBUTION OF DEMOCRATIC
LEADERSHIP IN INNOVATIVE PRACTICES AT AN ORGANIZATION: A CASE
STUDY AT AN INDIAN B-SCHOOL. In Oxford Conference Series| October 2017. (p.
73).
Abowitz, K. K., 2016. Imagining Democratic Futures for Public Universities: Educational
Leadership Against Fatalism's Temptations. Educational Theory, 66(1-2), pp.181-197.
Ruschkowski, A., Dahlstedt, M. and Fejes, A., 2019. Shaping the democratic, relational, and
reflective youth recreation leader. International Journal of Lifelong Education. pp.1-12.
Cameron, E. and Green, M., 2019. Making sense of change management: A complete guide to
the models, tools and techniques of organizational change. Kogan Page Publishers.
Getz, D., 2019. Shifting the paradigm: a theory of change model. Journal of Policy Research in
Tourism, Leisure and Events. 11(sup1). pp.s19-s26.
Tang, K.N., 2019. Change management. In Leadership and Change Management (pp. 47-55).
Springer, Singapore.
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