Personal and Professional Development

This document discusses the importance of personal and professional development in enhancing skills and achieving goals. It explores the concepts of self-managed learning and lifelong learning, evaluates approaches to self-managed learning, proposes ways to encourage lifelong learning, and evaluates the benefits of self-managed learning to individuals and organizations. The document also includes a personal skills evaluation, identifies development needs and activities, and identifies development opportunities.

Personal and
Professional
Development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK1.............................................................................................................................................1
1.1) Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning....................................................................1
1.2) Propose ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could be
encouraged..................................................................................................................................2
1.3) Evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to the individual and organisation............3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1- Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives.............................................................................................................4
2.2- Identify own development needs and the activities required to meet them.........................6
2.3- Identify development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs...................7
2.4- Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs...............8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1- Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan.............8
3.2- Undertake and document development activities as planned............................................10
3.3- Reflect critically on own learning against original aims and objectives set in the
development plan......................................................................................................................11
3.4- Update the development plan based on feedback and evaluation......................................12
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................12
4.1- Select solutions to work-based problems...........................................................................12
4.2- Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels .................13
4.3- Evaluate and use effective time-management strategies...................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is explained as the process which is required to be
conduct by an individual for the purpose of overcoming any of the challenges to meet out the
targets on time. It is crucial because it simply allows to improve the performance which directly
allows to accomplish the goals. It is directly or indirectly related with self-development and
enhancing efficiency and skills in different fields. The presented report is related with National
Trust which is one of charitable trust. It works for the welfare of environment and visitors.
The file is based on four different task where first task will be based on self-management
learning and its enhancement for lifelong development. Second task will relate about
responsibility for own personal and professional development whereas in task three there will be
review of own personal and professional development plan. Finally, fourth task will demonstrate
about acquired interpersonal and transferable skills.
TASK1
1.1) Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning.
Self-managed learning: Self-managed learning depicts the process that involves
commencement of self initiated learning activities by their own that means which are self
directed. This procedure involves identification of objective of learning with clear goal setting
and required resources that can improve self management skills of an individual in a finer way.
When an organisation is having people with self learning trait it will help the organisation to find
solution to their problems with effective implementation (Hicks and et. al 2014). There are
various approaches for self-managed learning which are as follows:
 Seminars and conferences: This approach is helpful in acquiring fresh opinion and
experience from another people with the help of interaction and effective communication.
Seminars plays important role in enhancing personal and professional skills.
 Internet: Internet is a path which can be used by an individual to access different sources
to initiate self learning. An individual may enhance level of their knowledge by surfing
internet and by using different websites to gain knowledge about management of
operational activities so that any uncertainty in business can be eliminated with no delay.
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 Use of bulletin board: Bulletin board is a method where notes are made by a person with
different colours so that every new learning can be jot down, this will help in dealing
with future problems (Bukor, 2015).
By adoption of following approaches an individual can intensify the ability of self
management learning, this will help in performing job roles and achieving targets of National
Trust in a better manner.
There are various learning styles of self management, some of them are mentioned below:
 Kolb's learning cycle: According to this model of learning, by facing different type of
experience an individual will acquire expertise and intelligence. This theory involves
gaining through experiences and personal preferences, observation, planning and self
evaluation.
 Reflexive modernisation theory: As per this theory the change in society is a reflection
of decisions made by an individual and their behaviour, this leads to the behaviour of
employees as they become pragmatist.
1.2) Propose ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could be
encouraged.
Lifelong Learning: This theory explains about methods of formal or informal learning for
individuals so that their knowledge can be enhanced and they may learn new things each day so
that employment requirements can be fulfilled by which performance of an individual can be
enhanced. Process of learning is conducted by an individual during the lifespan which helps in
attaining goals of personal as well as professional level. This assists in motivating employees to
improve skills and to capture better opportunities to glow (Sonnino, 2013). There are various
methods by which National Trust may encourage people :
 Self directed: Under this method an individual try to find opportunities by their own at
the working place so that they stay motivated through out the working process. This will
help the employees in improving their skills and making them creative and innovative so
that their skills can be utilised as per the demand of business.
 Continuing professional development: This is important for persons to keep
supervision on themselves so that their needs can be identified and they can review self
performance with others.
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 Further education: This plays a significant role in lifelong learning, this can be defined
as taking knowledge through additional studies so that self development can be made and
skills can be improvised.
 Apprenticeships: This method involves training for further enhancement so that working
proficiency can be increased (Marlowe and et. al. 2015). This is a beneficial approach
those who want to see professional competencies in themselves so that they can emerge
as a valuable personnel for the organisation.
 Transfer schemes: Transfers is an effective approach of encouraging people in working
place, under this method workforce get relocated in some other place when current
location is not efficient for them. By transferring this may give more efficiency to the
people as new place is as their need so productivity can be increased in an effective
manner.
In the context of National Trust it can be concluded that working people of National
Trust are self directed as they know vision of the company since they are working for a cause
which is to protect natural resources so that they can be available for everyone. Employees can
be encouraged by developing their professional skills or by providing further education so that
they can influence people which is necessary for National Trust.
1.3) Evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to the individual and organisation.
Self-managed learning is advantageous for individuals and group of individuals, if an
individual is self managed then he or she will remain confident through out the working this will
enhance the overall capabilities. There are numerous advantages of self managed learning which
are as follows:
Benefits to individual:
Promotion: Self managed learning helps in developing new skills that may help an
individual to get promoted to some new designation. By self managed learning weakness and
errors can be identified easily so that clarificatory actions can be taken immediately (McMillan,
McConnell and O’Sullivan, 2016). It helps an individual to be self dependent by learning new
abilities and knowledge. By having higher skills an employee can get promoted this may tend
individual to stay motivated and calm.
Accountability and sustainability: Self managed learning aids to improve skills of a
person that impact the individual to remain accountable for the tasks assigned to them. It helps
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the employees or worker to improve sustainability so that their individual development can be
enhanced.
Benefits for organisation:
Societal satisfaction: Self managed employees are very advantageous for the
organisation as they will be able to attain demands of the society. As National Trust is an entity
which works to preserve and protect heritage so it is very important for them to set a value in
society.
Achievement of goals: Self managed skills of persons can be utilised to achieve targets
of the business. This makes workers more productive and quality efficient (Davis, 2015). As in
National Trust their goal is to produce food which is beneficial for environment as well as public
and to protect world's heritage. So by self managed workers National Trust can achieve their
goals in foreseeable futures with dodging barriers.
TASK 2
2.1- Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives
Personal audit is a defined as the process where person conducts audit for the purpose of
evaluation personal ability so that future improvement can be done for attaining success. It
allows to identify all of the relevant weaknesses of person. In short, it is said that person should
always give their effort to learn something new for enhancing their skills and talent. Below,
some of the skill are mentioned, which is currently available:
Professional Skills Current Level Explanation
Leadership Skills 6 In any of the circumstances,
leading any of the team is not
an easy task because there are
number of work which is to be
done (Moyo and et. al., 2016).
Here, all of the issues or
problem are required to be
solved for effective result.
Looking at my current
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leadership skill, I will rank 6th
out of 10 and still there are
some of the area where
improvement is required.
Listening Skills 8 In any of the situation, person
should be capable of listening
to the points which are being
explained by some of the
professional personal for
future development. Even I am
quite excellent in listening to
other and considering this I
will rate myself 8 out of 10.
Communication Skills 3 It is said that communication
skills plays the crucial role in
many of the situation as it
helps to understand all of the
important points through
which work can be completed.
Out out 10 I would like to give
only 3 points which means that
lots of improvement is
required in it.
Managing Risk 7 I am good at ensuring that all
of the work is being done in
systematic manner. Even I am
looking at the points that how
my team is performing for
reducing the risk factor.
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2.2- Identify own development needs and the activities required to meet them
In any of the situation, it is necessary for individuals to have knowledge regarding their
knowledge and skills. Also, weaknesses should be identified so that future improvement can be
done in best possible manner (Zwart, Korthagen and Attema-Noordewier, 2015). It is not only
important just to identify the weaknesses but it is crucial to find out the opportunities so that
future goals can be accomplished. For the purpose of finding out strength, weaknesses the best
option which can be adopted is SWOT analysis which will allow to collect all of the relevant
information in detail. Below, SWOT analysis has been conducted on myself.
Strength Weaknesses
 In my point of view, I am very good at
listening to the points which has been
explained by other people. It is one of
the strength which allow me to solve
any of the the issues which people
suffer from at any period of time.
 Another Strength that I have is related
with managing and keeping records. It
is said that in any of the business
organisation managing the business
data and records plays the important
role and in the same manner it helps me
to review all of the records whenever it
is necessary.
 People have different types of
weaknesses in them and in that same
manner even I have some of the issues
which is needed to be fix. There are
some of the crucial situation where I
am unable to hold my nerves and I in
that respective situation I lose my
confidence automatically. It is one of
the reason I have to suffer from
failures.
 I am not got at doing healthy
communication for longer period of
time due to which I am not able to
express some of my idea that can be
helpful for attaining the goals of an
organisation.
Opportunity Threats
 I have the opportunity to overcome
from the weaknesses from which I am
suffering right now. For example: If I
will be able to resolve the problem
 Just because of my weaknesses, other
rivalry firms get the opportunities to
perform their task in best possible
manner for accomplishing the goals on
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related to communication skills and
holding my nerves in crucial stages
then I will get number of opportunities
which will allow me to accomplish my
goals on time.
time.
Skills to be developed Methods to be developed
Communication skills  Trying to involve within in healthy
communication.
 Attaining more group discussion
Leadership Skills  Reading different articles related to
leadership quality and importance.
 Taking help from senior.
2.3- Identify development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs
In current market position, people get number of opportunity which helps them to
perform better in any of the situation. To perform better, I must be aware with my skills and
ability for completing any of the work in time. It is beneficial because it will allow me to uplift
my standards by doing improvement. Some of the current and future needs have been explained
below:
 Current needs: It is connected with the requirement of organisation where each and
every work should be completed on time. But, I have found that I am not good at doing
my work on time, which means that I require improvement for accomplishing my work
on specific time period (Leijen and Kullasepp, 2013).
 Future needs: On daily basis, needs increases an according to that communication skills
also plays the crucial role in number of occasion. As I am working for National Trust
were number of visitors visits every year due to which I need to bring changes in my
communication skills for giving guidance to them.
In addition, I must work on the ground of developing the business skill, leading people,
managing financial performance as they all are necessary in context of my organisation.
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2.4- Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs
Learning
objective/ goals
Current
Proficiency
Target
Proficiency
Development Opportunity Time Scale
Leadership Skill 6 8.5 In an business organisation,
it is quite necessary to have
the quality of leadership. In
order to improve this
respective skill, I will try to
learn and take help from my
senior. Also, different
articles can be helpful.
2 months
Communication
Skills
3 9 This is the skills which is
required to interact my
visitors. For the purpose of
of improvement I would like
to attain different types of
group discussion. Attaining
seminars can be also crucial
for me.
2.5 months
TASK 3
3.1- Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan
Skills & Ability Aims & objective Resources needed
to accomplish my
objective
Target date for
attaining
objectives
Actual date of
attaining
objectives
Time
Management
Skills
It is crucial for
the organisation
like National
It can be only
solved in that
respective
August 2019 to
February 2020
10/02/20
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Trust to manage
its time because
number of visitors
visits on daily
basis and all of
them must be
given equal time.
situation where I
am able to collect
all of the required
information about
time management
and its
importance for
effective result
for organisation.
Planning It is quite
important for me
to plan my work
accordingly,
because number
of tourist visits on
daily basis.
Proper planning
will allow to
provide detail
information to
visitors.
The
administration
department has
the option to
decide and
prepare different
plan and
approaches which
can be helpful for
managing
working
environment with
National Trust.
August 2019 to
February 2020
22/02/20
Communication
Skills
In any of the
situation, long
terms goal can be
accomplished
only in that
respective
situation where
they are able to
Here, I will like
to take the help of
number of
communication
channels which
can allow me to
collect all of the
detail information
August 2019 to
February 2020
15/02/20
9

manage the work
related to
communication
skills.
related to
employees and
visitors who visits
within the
premisses of
National trust
area.
3.2- Undertake and document development activities as planned
Time period
of work
Activity Undertaken What has been
learned till now
What is the next step When to do
Week 1 The first week will
be based on cons
which are being
faced within
national trust.
I have to collect and
be aware about the
rules and regulation
which has increased
the difficulty level.
This will be the stage
where advises will
be given related to
the problem which
has been faced.
First week
Week 2 Here, in this
respective week, I
will have to look for
all of the skills and
quality which are
required to be
reformed.
The ideas that are to
be implemented and
framed should be
studied in detail.
All of the
information should
be mentioned in
written form over
here which will be
included and helpful
for me as well as for
business
organisation.
Same week
Week 3 This will be the
week where major
role will be related
with the
compactness for the
Here, work which has
being performed by
employees and other
people are to be
It will necessary for
me to develop some
of the important
skills and knowledge
for the effective
Same Week
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improvement. evaluated. result.
Week 4 Taking Response All of the executed
task will be
evaluated.
It is necessary to
collect all of the
relevant information
that whether work is
being performed
systematically
manner or not and
for that feedbacks
and suggestions are
to be taken over
here.
Same Week
Week 5 Doing better All of the necessity
and future
improvement are to
be planning in a
systematic manner.
It will be the stage
where entire work is
to be reviwed.
In respective
week only.
3.3- Reflect critically on own learning against original aims and objectives set in the
development plan.
The development plan is very important for me to improve my overall skills. It has
directly affected me to perform better for the purpose of accomplishing the goals of National
Trust. Own learning is one of the way which has allowed me to improve myself which has
improve the way of interaction with the visitors. As National Trust is one of the charitable trust,
it will allow me to perform as per the requirement of organisation.
For the purpose of enhancing my knowledge and skills, it will be important for me to
attain different conferences, group discussion which will help me and the organisation for
attaining the targets on specific time period. It is one of the reason that in present situation I am
capable of doing discussion with and of the visitors with the help of effective communication. As
I have improved myself in managing risk, I am not able to assign work to my team on the basis
11

of their knowledge and skills that directly help me to accomplish the targets. In addition,
leadership skills has been improved which is allowing me to guide my team that how they are
needed to tackle any of the situation. This are some of the skills which has helped a lots for
effective result.
3.4- Update the development plan based on feedback and evaluation
Below, there is the detail information mentioned about the development plan which is
based on the feedback obtained from visitors and employees.
Learning
Needs
Position Activities to be
Interpreted
Resources
Required
Target
Deadlines
Proof of
Achievement
Time
Management
Quality
High It is required to be
completed with
the help of
conferences and
meetings which
are being
conducted on
regular basis.
Proper time 20/02/20 Documents of
written proof
can be
presented
Management
Quality
Moderate Focusing more
upon data and
information
which are helpful
the attaining the
positive outcomes
of an organisation
Time as well
as proper
financial
support will be
required
12/01/20 Certificate of
attaining the
results.
This are some of the situation which is quite helpful for the business organisation like
National Trust (Lee and Choi, 2015). It will allow them to perform better and even give idea to
accomplish targets on specific time period. This learning will add on the value as they will give
more chances to complete their work on time.
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TASK 4
4.1- Select solutions to work-based problems
In recent period of time the working condition has changed where different problem has
been raised within the National Trust. It will be necessary to understand for the purpose of
resolving the issues because it will have direct impact on overall result of the organisation.
Below, some of the problem has been discussed with the help of six stage problem solving
model.
 Defining the problem: The two main problem which is being faced with National Trust
is bullying and sexual harassment (Elliot and et. al., 2013).
 Root causes of the problem: The main reason to develop this sort of problem is
management and the laws which has been formed within the organisation.
 Develop Alternative Solution: There are number of alternative solution which can be
taken over here and they are like forming the new laws and regulations, forming the
department whose major responsibility will be related with solving the issues.
 Select the solution: Bring changes in Article of Association will be the best alternative
for reducing the problem related to harassment and bullying (The Six Step Problem
Solving Model, 2018).
 Implementation of Solution: The news should be in effective from the date of formation
of law or date of alternation in Article of Association.
 Evaluate the Outcome: This will the stage where it will be necessary to evaluate with
the similar form of problem is creating issues any more or not if not then further changes
are required to be brought (Pellegrino and et. al., 2014).
4.2- Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels
In any of the organisation, effective communication is very crucial because it helps to
manage the work in a systematic manner. Communication and flow of appropriate information
will allow to take positive decision through which problem related harassment and bullying can
be solved. There are some of the steps that can be taken by organisation and employees
whenever they faces any of problem related to bullying and harassment.
In terms of Organisation
13

 Here, organisation like National Trust can form the law through which strict actions can
be taken against the person who is involved in the work of bullying and harassment. The employees who have been found guilty under the case of harassment and bullying
can be fired from their jobs.
In context of employees
 Whenever any of this problem arises within the organisation, employees must inform
their management so that they will not have to suffer form similar form of problem.
 Employees should built the supportive network within the organisation, which will allow
to bring out solution for the problem related to harassment and bullying.
4.3- Evaluate and use effective time-management strategies
In present scenario, time management strategy plays the most important role within the
organisation as it helps to complete any of the work within the specific time period. In context of
National Trust, they are one of those organisation where thousand of visitors visits on daily basis
due to which they must be able to manage their work on time. This can be the way through
which they can enhance their chances of accomplishing the goals. Some of the strategies that can
be used by National Trust for managing their time are explained below:
 Scheduling: This is one of the effective way through which management can allow
themselves to perform better and manage their each and every work on time. In context
of National Trust, scheduling will allow them to tackle any of the risk factor which can
create issues for them. Also, scheduling will allow them to improve their overall result.
 Prior Planning: There are number of activities which is needed to be conducted within
the organisation like National Trust as it perform its operational work at a greater level.
Prior planning will allow them to utilise their time in a systematic manner and also they
will be able to use all of the resources as per their requirement.
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CONCLUSION
From the detail discussion on file, it is understandable that personal and professional
develop is one of the most importance concept for business organisation because it allows to
bring changes by obtaining the current position. Organisation can use this respective concept for
the purpose of enhancing their brand value and revenues. PDP plan can be prepared which
allows to bring changes where set targets are set which is needed to be solved. In addition, there
are number of situation where organisation faces the problem and in that respective situation
company has the option to take the help of problem solving model.
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The Six Step Problem Solving Model. 2018. [Online]. Available Through: <http://www.free-
management-ebooks.com/news/six-step-problem-solving-model/>
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