Personal and Professional Development

This report focuses on personal self-assessment and development, evaluation of approaches to self-managed learning, ways to encourage lifelong learning, benefits of self-managed learning, evaluation of own skills and competencies, and identification of development needs and opportunities.

Personal and
Professional
development

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is defined as area of practise in which the main
focus is on effective and essential improvisation within the performance of individuals. The
following report is based on personal self assessment and development. This includes
understanding of self managed learning and enhancing of this to lifelong development. This
report also covers responsibility of own personal and professional development plan (Hensley,
Smith, and Thompson, 2003). This also explains acquired transferable as well as interpersonal
skills.
TASK 1
LO 1
1.1. Evaluation of approaches to self-managed learning
Lifelong learning is defined as the process of Continuous Professional Development of
an individual. It is referred as process by which people can gain knowledge. The main reason
after this is that skills and abilities are enhanced. As the manager of XL Leisure travel company,
it is important for me to enhance my learning of self managing. This will help me to manage my
work effectively and manage different business tasks in appropriate manner.
There are different methods for achieving the development of individual within less time.
Some of these methods are explained below - Online Communities: The best method used by individuals for improving their skills is
online communities. As there is increase in digitisation, there are various chances of self
managed learning. I can learn various abilities and skills if I adopt the Self-managed
learning. This is acquired by me after analysing online communities. This consists of
various interactive virtual conferences and this helps in enhancing knowledge as
managers of the company. The main aim of this method is to allow people for ensuring
real time training. This also helps in getting spontaneous feedbacks. The major benefit of
this concept is that it needs strong internet connection. This also requires access to
influential training experts who can enhance improvements in individuals. Level Specific Training: This method is concerned with providing of efficient and
effective training that helps individuals to evaluate their career and professional
development effectively. This can be explained with an example – if the manager wants
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to acquire effective training that is related to higher levels, there is need of self managed
learning. The main benefit of this method is that this helps in allowing individuals to
acquire knowledge and learn new activities. The self managing learning helps people to
enhance their skills and knowledge about their role and responsibility of job. On the other
hand, the disadvantage of this method is that it enhanced knowledge in relation to bigger
segment of career within hospitality.
 Conferences and Meetings: There is Another method that is used for Continuous
professional development which is attending conferences and meetings. The travel and
tourism sector is one in which customer retention is the main thing. The managers must
be so effective that they can manage their work in an effective manner and can achieve
customer retention easily. Attending conferences and meetings is beneficial for managers
as it helps in seeking advantages and benefits to managers in enhancing knowledge
related to customer experience. This method is important as it helps in enhancing skills
and experience of a person and this is the prime requirement of any person in an
organisation.
1.2. Ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could be encouraged
Continuous Professional Development is helpful in contributing to lifelong learning of
an individual. This is helpful in developing good lifestyle among within individuals. There is
improvement in knowledge, attributes and experiences of individuals. In order to attain these
goals, it is necessary for encouraging personal and professional development. Some of the way
are mentioned below - Enhancing Learning Ownership: This is one of the most important way of learning life
long skills and abilities. This is done by promoting ownership with learners and being
responsible for own learning of an individual (Gamrat, and et. al., 2014). Also this is
one of the most appropriate method by which learners can be engaged by self directing
learning. This ensures rewards for improving the same.
 Setting up Objectives: In general context, there is one more appropriate method by
which lifelong learning could be encouraged and that is setting up continuous objectives
which are to be attained within time. This motivates individuals for achieving their goal
in specific time. This enables achievement of goals and objectives in less time. specific
time period. This growth leads to personal and professional development.
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1.3. Evaluation of benefits of self-managed learning
There are various benefits of self-managed learning for both employers as well as
employees. These are needed for understanding the skills needed for an employee for
implementing continuous professional development in both personal as well as professional
context. The advantages of both Benefits to these factors are discussed below:
Benefits to Individuals: Gaining Effective Skills: The main benefit for me in context of self-managed learning is
gaining of effective skills which will be easy for excelling in job role. I am able to
effectively and appropriately gain professional and personal satisfaction. Managed Speed: Self-managed learning is beneficial for people as this provides no
pressure in managing and working responsibilities of job. A strict schedule will help in
managing work activities effectively. This will motivate for learning various aspects of
learning in effective manner. Appropriate Access: Another advantage of this is it provides help in increasing
availability of different sources (Hunter, A.B., Laursen, S.L. and Seymour, E., 2007).
This increases comfortable level of the individual. This would make their learning more
flexible, which would keep them encouraged throughout their career.
Benefits to Employers:
In context of employers and managers of XL Leisure ltd. It is seen that there are various
benefits of self managed learning that are described below: Reduction in training costs: This is related to minimise of training cost of the
organisation. This is because of self directed learning that is done by employees of the
company. This helps employees to gain knowledge and competence. The company will
be free from cost if regular training and development sessions are not required. Improvisation in Culture: Another benefit associated with this learning is that this allows
companies to consider themselves responsible for development and growth. This helps in
enhancing dedication towards job. This creates development positive and harmonious
culture.
 Productivity Levels: These advantages are related to productivity of the organisation. The
main reason behind this is directing of learnings. This includes contribution of job role
and this leads to increase of productivity levels.
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LO 2
2.1. Evaluation of own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives
It is necessary for all managers to evaluate their current skills and competences against
professional standards and organisational objectives. For evaluating my own competencies, it is
necessary for me to take several tests. Some of these are discussed below -
Aptitude Test:
This is an effective test that allows people to assess personal and professional skills
which are required for providing standard and quality services in hospitality sector (Moss, J.M.,
Gibson, D.M. and Dollarhide, C.T., 2014). For a hospitality manager, there are several
appropriate standards that are required to be viewed and understood. These standards are
described below:
 A hospitality manager must be effective in indulging into appropriate Communication
 A manager within hospitality must be effective in Time Management
 Ethical frame of mind is a must for these individuals
 Hospitality Managers must possess essential and outstanding Analytical and Technical
knowledge
 They must be able to practice essential Leadership
SWOT Analysis:
This is another appropriate framework which is inclusive of identification of several
opportunities and threats, after evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of an individual. Below
is my personal SWOT Analysis which reflects my strengths, weaknesses, associated
opportunities as well as threats:
 Strengths:
There are several areas where I am competent enough to carry out my duties in effective
manner. These areas are mentioned below -
▪ Communication Skills: My biggest strength is my communication skills. I have
very good and effective communication skills. This helps me in achieving goals in
effective manner. By using my communication skills. I am able to manage my
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work appropriately by instructing my subordinates to work in proper manner. I
have good English speaking ability and as most of the clients know English it is
beneficial for me to greet them in appropriate manner.
▪ Analytical Skills: Another strength of mine is evaluation of different skills. This is
helpful for me to have good analytical skill for solving various workplace
problems (Olsen, B., 2015). I am very well managed in doing various operational
work in the company as I have good analytical skills.
 Weaknesses:
I have some weaknesses too that become hurdle for achieving success in organisation. It
will help me in enhancing my knowledge and skills for attaining organisational goals and
personal goals. Some of the elements are are discussed below:
▪ Time Management Skills: I have failed to accomplish my business tasks in an
effective manner. I am not good at managing multiple tasks. If there are more than
one activity, I am not able to prioritise my work and due to this I fail to achieve
my business work.
▪ Ethical Practice: Another weakness of mine is ethical practising in workplace.
According to me it is important to do work by following all ethics but due to less
knowledge regarding the ethical practices (Prosek, E.A. and Hurt, K.M., 2014). I
lack in doing my work by following all ethical practices.
▪ Managerial Abilities: As I am effective in managing external activities and
supplies of the company, it is important for me to manage my work effectively.
Sometimes I am not able to manage my work in appropriate manner.
▪ Stress Management: This is my weakness and I am not able to manage my work
as due to work I develop stress and this limits me in completing business activities
within given time. Opportunities: There are various opportunities which are acquired for increasing strength
of mine. As I am having effective communication skill, it is easy for me to convince
employees to do work in an effective manner. I have strong and effective communication
skills that will help me in increasing my current strength. I have appropriate skills for
allowing me to deal with customers in an effective manner.
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 Threats: The biggest threat for me is to enhance my competencies. There are various
individuals who are superior than me (Ramia, E. and et. al., 2016). This helps in
motivating myself for doing work in an effective manner.
Learning Skills Inventory:
There are different learning skills that are used by various companies for enhancing their
scope of learning. It also helps in gaining knowledge in effective manner. I have used VARK
learning method for improving my learning abilities. The different learning styles of this model
includes Visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinaesthetic. By analysing the questionnaire,it is
concluded by me that I have to gain experience from my skills and develop styles by which I can
gain experience (van Aalderen‐Smeets, S.I. and Walma van der Molen, J.H., 2015). I think after
this analysis, I have concluded that the best learning style which suits me is Multimodal
learning style.
2.2. Identification of own development needs and the activities required to meet them
In context of the assessment given above, I can evaluate my skills and abilities. After this
analysis, I am able to evaluate different skills required for improving my work performance.
These skills include time Management, Ethical Practice, Managerial Abilities and Stress
Management. The intensity of improvement in these factors changes with time. For instance, it is
given that overall time management is needed for developing ethical practices in business
activities.
2.3. Identification of development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs
There are different opportunities that are used by me for enhancing scope of
improvement within my skills and abilities. I have attended various training sessions for
improving the skills and abilities of mine. This will help me to achieve my goals and objectives
in less time. Also, feedbacks from tutors and seminar executives help me to get an opportunity
for enhancing competencies and let me excel in doing my role as manager of travel and tourism
company.
2.4. Devising a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs
GOALS ACTIVITIES RESOURCES OBSTACLES SUCCESS
CRITERIA TIME
Time To increase my The resources There are Better and 4 weeks s
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Management
competency in
relation with
time and by this
I can manage
training
sessions in an
appropriate
manner.
Several training
products are
provided where
there are mock
tests given to
employees.
which I am
having for this is
complex time
management
activities and
time measuring
techniques and
tools.
ineffective
tools for
managing
time.
effective time
management
and time
related issues
are done
appropriately.
Ethical
Practice
For improving
my ethical
knowledge
skills and
abilities and for
this I will
conduct various
seminars.
Effective
modules of
ethical practice
Insufficient
improvement
methods
Unbiased
Decision
Making and
Ethical
Judgements 2 Months
Managerial
Abilities
I can attend
various
workshops for
analysing every
aspect of
management of
business.
Effective
Training
Journals
Inappropriate
Judgement
Criteria
Better
management
of activities,
teams and
complex tasks
16 weeks
Stress I will Stress related Too much Complex 24 weeks
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Management
undertake
therapy to
better deal with
my stress to
ensure complex
decision-
making
medications and
treatments.
inclination
towards
medical
treatment.
problem-
solving and
effective
decision
making .
TASK 2
LO 3
3.1. Discussion of processes and activities required to implement the development plan
There are different processes for development of an individual. It is important for me to
analyse my skills and achieve my personal as well as professional goals within time. I have to
utilise my skills in time so that I am able to accomplish my work in an effective manner. Some of
the activities are discussed below - Training Sessions: These are the activities which helps in enhancing skills and abilities
of individuals. Training session are provided to individuals so that they are able to
manage different skills like time management, work life balance, etc. The training session
provides individuals to manage their work in different situations. There is also
diagrammatic displays of how tasks are prioritised. This helps in managing my time in
appropriate manner. Seminars: These are attended by me for participating in different discussions based on
current happenings around the world. Also,. As the manager of Xl Leisure travels, it is
important for me attend various seminars related to hospitality management, new trends
of service providers (Wilkins, P., 1997). This helps me to listen to different people about
ethical manner of conducting business activities. The thoughts of different people will
help me to boost my knowledge regarding new trends of hospitality sector. This will help
me to develop my learning skills and know opinions of lot of reputed managers of the
hospitality sector.
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 Workshops: Attending the workshops related to organisations will help me to enhance
my knowledge and intellectual capabilities of hospitality sector. This will include
apprentices and tests that will help in pursuing important skills that have to be developed.
Also, it aligns learning style for allowing me to read, write and listen for increasing
knowledge related to my managerial responsibility in my travel organisation.
 Therapy: Therapy is used by me for relieving myself form stress and pressure of work. In
my daily job role, I have to face various complex problems while business activities. This
is one of the best method for removing stress from mind and leading a peaceful life. In
this therapy, I had to see various motivational videos, conflict management skills, anger
control activities, etc. All these activities help me to manage my work also as I can work
appropriately if I am not under stress.
3.2. Undertake and document development activities as planned
ACTIVITIES DATE
COMMENCED DATE FINISHED PLACE
Training Sessions 23rd November, 2019 30th November , 2019 University
Seminars 20th November, 2019 6th December,2019 Internship
Workshops 15th November, 2019 10th December, 2019 University
Therapy 15th December , 2019 22nd December, 2019 Clinic
3.3. Critical reflection on own learning against original aims and objectives set in the
development plan
The following part includes my evaluation and display of critical evaluation of my own
learning. The above development plan includes my weakness as well as strength so the aspects of
this plan are discussed below - Time Management: This is an essential part of my training as time management will
solve a lot of problems that I am having. Training for time managing will help me to
understand and improve my abilities of managing time and conducting work within given
time. training as a method, is that it allowed me to understand and improvise on my
prioritising abilities. This will help me to know how to manage my priorities in working
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and managing tasks in an effective manner. If I do not have time management skills, I
was not able to enhance my ability to do multiple work at single hour. This results in
mismanagement of tasks. Ethical Practice: Seminars helped me a lot in enhancing my knowledge for ethical
objectives and aims of doing work. In these seminars, I have learnt ethical way of
functions and doing business activities. This helped me to reduce conflicts within the
organisation. Also I am able to achieve organisational goals and objectives in less time.
This helps me to minimise bias behaviour of people. Seminars didn't helped me in
explaining distinct ways as an example for enhancing my skills. This made me to be
insufficient in guiding and working effectively. Managerial Practice: I managed to learn different practices of management, along with
application of certain theories in real life situation. I am not able to learn various
important aspects that are related to real time situations. These may cause hurdles in
various future situations.
 Stress Management: Therapy allowed me to learn various methods for dealing with
therapy that can be practised in real time. Therapy needs inclination towards
medications too and for this, it may be cause serious problems in long-term context.
3.4. Update the development plan based on feedback and evaluation
GOALS ACTIVITIES EXPLANATIONS TIME
Time
Management
To increase the
efficiency of time
management skills
and mock trials are
conducted while
training.
Mock trials help me to practise
various time related situations
and these help me to enhance
my competencies and
developing my skills to
manage my business tasks
effectively.
20 days
Ethical
Practice
I analyse feedbacks
taken from my
superiors as it would
Feedbacks are the most
effective manner of knowing
my weakness and getting good
40 days
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help me in knowing
whether work is done
in ethical manner or
not.
guidance for doing work
effectively. This will improve
my knowledge of ethical
functioning and it's benefits.
Managerial
Abilities
Simulations can be
used for practising
different principles of
business management
and conduction.
Simulations are helping me to
deal many complex situations
and following various
management principles within
the organisation.
45 days
Stress
Management
Autogenic training is
used by me for
dealing with various
stress situations and
problems. I can work
effectively is there is
no stress.
This training will be helping
me to access various sensations
in my body. This helps me to
keep my mind peaceful and
doing my work in appropriate
manner. This helps in
increasing the patience level
and calmness.
50 days
LO 4
4.1. Selection of solutions to work based problems
PROBLEMS SOLUTIONS
Conflict between subordinates Conflict are inevitable and they occur at
workplace. While managing various business
activities there are some situations where fights
and conflicts occur. Such situation creates
negative environment at workplace and disturbs
mindset of employees. In this way sometimes
work is disturbed. For resolving conflicts and
fights among employees, supervisor of the travel
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company have to analyse the nature and type of
conflict. Increasing motivation of employees is
very effective in developing good relations with
employees and making them to work effectively
towards organisational goals. As a manger. I
have to listen to both parties before resolving
any conflict. I cannot be biased while making
decisions. After analysing the problem, I have to
take opinion of superiors for knowing what the
exact problem is. The main cause of problem is
determined and conflicts are resolved.
Hiring and training staff
Successful organisations are able to analyse the
importance of employees. So XL Leisure hires
talented and skilled employees who can be the
best asset for this company. If employees and
staff members are ineffective, it is not easy to
produce effective and quality service. Employee
engagement activities are essential for
maximising the contribution and involvement of
employees within the company. Good
employees have the ability to manage their
personal life and professional life in right
manner.
Customer feedback For solving problems that are related to problem
of customer feedback about service of travel and
tourism given by XL Leisure, quality services
are provided to people. This organisation uses
Customer Experience Management (CEM) and
this helps in managing feedback of customers
and analysing their problems and solving the
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issues effectively.
4.2. Communication in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels
COMMUNICATION
STYLE LEVEL SITUATION
Lectures (Aggressive
Communication Style) Lower Management Level
This can be provided by
giving proper instructions and
orders to lower level staff. In
context of XL Leisure travel
company, instructions are
given to bus drivers, bus
cleaners and supervisors for
managing their work
effectively.
Conferences (Assertive
Communication Style)
Upper and Lower Management
Level This method is used for
informing people regarding
organisation change plan and
organisational schemes.
Letters (Assertive
Communication Style) Middle Management Level
This can be used as personal
level for providing
information to employees
which is related to pay cuts
and salary raises.
Circulars (Assertive
Communication Style)
Middle Management Level This written communication is
used when all levels are
provided information about
particular events and
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instructions related to these
events.
4.3. Evaluation and use effective time management strategies
STRATEGIES USE EVALUATION
Delegation
It is very beneficial in cases
where business is done at large
scales. There is requirement of
managing business tasks and
informing supervisors to do
their work in an effective
manner. Different small units
are there for managing
services provided to
customers.
It is very effective as this
minimises work stress from
employees. In this way,
efficiency of employees is
increased and they are more
productive. Also development
of healthy relationship is
necessary with superiors and
subordinates. This ensures
doing work in effective
manner.
Scheduling of time
It is useful in those conditions
when supervisor has shortage
of time, faces endless
interruptions and last minute
task.
It is effective plan as this helps
in achieving goals and
objectives in less time. Bus
services provided to customers
is very effective and it is
managed effectively. This is
ensured that employees are
having proper management of
work life balance.
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CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above discussion that it is very important for individuals
to develop personal and professional development. This helps in enhancing scope of individual
in life. Self-managed learning provides individuals in ensuring their personal as well as
professional development. There are different ways of evaluating self performance. The
evaluation of an individual's performance helps in analysing weak points of the person and
knowing what can be done for improving these. Also, it is concluded that discussion of
activities and appropriate documentation provides people in evaluating different aspects and
concepts of improving development plan. If individual has time managing skills then it is
ensured that he can manage all tasks and activities appropriately. There are various skills that
needs to be improved among the person for making him self sufficient to achieve personal as
well as organisational goals.
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REFERENCES
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development. Counselor Education and Supervision, 42(3), pp.219-230.
Hunter, A.B., Laursen, S.L. and Seymour, E., 2007. Becoming a scientist: The role of
undergraduate research in students' cognitive, personal, and professional
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Moss, J.M., Gibson, D.M. and Dollarhide, C.T., 2014. Professional identity development: A
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Olsen, B., 2015. Teaching what they learn, learning what they live: How teachers' personal
histories shape their professional development. Routledge.
Prosek, E.A. and Hurt, K.M., 2014. Measuring professional identity development among
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Ramia, E. and et. al., 2016. Mapping and assessment of personal and professional development
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