Personal and Professional Development: Critical Thinking and Creativity

This report focuses on the importance of critical thinking and creativity in personal and professional development. It discusses the definition and description of quality, evaluates this quality through a three-stage model, and explores the attributes, behavior preferences, and values that underpin this strength. The report also highlights the challenges faced in workshop exercises and experiences, and examines any contradictions evident from experience and how they are explained. It concludes by emphasizing the benefits of developing these skills for future growth.

UGB 260 Personal & Professional
Development Module

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
REFLECTIVE ESSAY....................................................................................................................2
Definition and description of quality...........................................................................................2
Explain, evaluate this quality.......................................................................................................2
Attributes, behaviour preference and values underpin this strength............................................3
Any contradictions evident from experience and how it is explained.........................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5
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INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is consider as the process by which firm as well
as individual engage within the process called learning in order to meet the challenges and desire
goal. It is also related with the development requirements of the group and individual. Within
this report focuses on Definition and description of quality, Explain, evaluate this quality which
is critical thinking and creativity and also considered as a key strength by making use of three
stage model as well as also focuses on Attributes, behaviour preference and values underpin this
strength. In order to find out logic behind it and also report focuses on Any contradictions
evident from experience and how it is explained as creativity is highly impacted on performance
and ability. Furthermore Report focuses on Challenges within workshop exercises as well as
experiences such as Global workforce and cultural differences, Getting feedback as well as
course completion, Engaging within training and Different generations within same
firm(Mikulec,2019)
REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Definition and description of quality
Creative and critical thinking basically means to come up with innovative solutions to the
problems and also to break down the complex situation. This skill can help an individual in
growing and also, they will be able to achieve their set target and objectives because of this.
Creativeand critical thinking is an important life skill, and an essential part of university studies.
Central to critical thinking is asking meaningful questions. This is being learnt through various
workshops that has been joined. It assists in growth of an individual and also, they can overcome
the problem that has been faced by a person while working in organisation and university .(Yu,
2018).
There is a three-stage model which can help in having better knowledge related to
creative and critical thinking. This model generates questions that can assist in evaluating
analysing and observation. In description stage the individual will think about the base of
problem and what actually the problem is. In analysis the person will be involved in analysing
the methods and alternatives through which the issue can be solved. In evaluation stage they will
think about what next can be done by them so that the type of problem can not be faced by them
in future.
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Explain, evaluate this quality
I was working in a workshop organised by my University; in this I have analysed that
critical thinking and creativity is my key strength. This has developed as my strength as I was
been able to overcome the problems faced by my team through innovative solution. Various
alternatives were also being searched by me. This has assisted in solving the problem and
making the team more creative. Creativity and critical thinking can be more understood by
making use of three stage model (Ritter and Mostert, 2017). It consists of description, analysis
and evaluation stage. In the description stage individual gets into observing patterns of problems.
They understand the basis where the problem has been arrived. It has also been known that the
next step in this framework is analysis. In this the alternative solutions to the problems has been
understood. This also includes brain storming of the ideas which can be used in order to
overcome the problem that has been faced. In the third stage evaluation of problem is been done.
In this stage an individual will think what next, they will do. It has also been analysed that this
quality is really necessary for learning and personal development of an individual. They can
overcome any problem which is being faced in their life.
This quality creativity and critical thinking has emerged as my strength during the time of
University workshop. Like for example I helped my friends in overcoming the problems they
were facing during the time of assignment making. I have also increased the effectiveness of my
team in workshop by coming up with various innovative and creative ideas. This has assisted me
in making our team win the competition (Ulger,2018). I have also analysed this quality while I
was working as an intern in a well-known company. There I have also provided solutions to
problems even to my seniors. They were really happy while working with me. This quality will
assist me in future and professional development. I will also be able to achieve my set target and
objectives while making use of this quality. This quality is really necessary for my growth and I
can have solutions to any problem faced in future. It will help me in growing.
Attributes, behaviour preference and values underpin this strength
I found that there are certain attributes, behaviour and values highlight my strength.
Here, the main thing behind is critical thinking as it enables me to show think and analyse
situation and on basis of that i am able to find out creativity.Thus, if i have to search on
internet then i do it and then take out creative things from it. in addition to that, another attribute
is impulsivity andprecision. I am highly impulsive in my work which enable me to be creative in
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my work. There is also precision which allows me to be accurate in what i do. For that i
conduct in depth research about it. for critical thinking my attributes are curiosity. I am curious
to analyse things and then get information from it. this helps me to do introspection and gaining
knowledge behind it. hence, i am able to find out logic behind it. Alongside, i like to observe
everything in order to gain more knowledge about it. (Korthagen, 2017)
Now, there are some behaviour preference as well that underline my strength. I found
that critical thinkers are often able to think most of times and analyse it. Apart from that, they
observe what is being done, how, technique behind it, etc. thus this shows they are engaged
into something. Moreover, for creativity behaviour preference is inspiration from others. I
remain inspire to be creative. I try to create new possibility from it. This highlight my strength
in clear way. similarly, value which support my strength is i give importance to new ideas and
ways rather than old one. Hence,it helps me in analysing and observing. for being critical thinker
my value shown are how to change things through creativity. I focus more on values as it defines
that what person wants to be. It also showed my value that i carry with me.(Bajić, 2017)
Hence, the behavior and value of both critical thinking and creativity skills are somewhat similar
to each other. The main in all of them are observation and analyse it. This reflects that i am
highly critical thinker and creative. So, these all can be easily seen or observed in it. From that it
can be identified that i am highly skilled and my strength is critical thinking and creativity.
Challenges within workshop exercises as well as experiences
There are certain challenge in workshop. It is as follows
Global workforce and cultural differences
If i work within multinational firm i will be considering that diversity and breadth of the
employees are considered as one of the big challenges that are faced through training managers.
As training all over the world also taken cultural issues and languages into consideration as
different people have different styles of language and faces problems as languages can plays a
vital role in order to understand context. Learning styles are also vary one nation to another. For
that taken into account that potential audiences needs to develops resources that are not only
considered as multilingual but also at the same time multicultural. In addition to this, focuses on
method of delivery. Also there is one more method that cultural benefits more from several
collaborative groups training sessions, while other also focuses on the approach of the individual.
Getting feedback as well as course completion
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It was difficult for me to get feedback from others at workshop in assuring teat course
finishing is crucial. It is also vital that i need to take the feedback on the course from my peers.
Engaging within training
I have also learned that assuring the staff members are fully engaged within the platform of
learning as well as considered as one another issues faces within workshop as it occurs due to
people are unable to understands the objectives behind the workshop and sometimes leads that
mode of delivery is uninteresting and stale. (Bornman. and Louw, 2019)
Different generations within same firm
It is unavoidable that the individuals of different generation is also becomes one of issues faces
within workshop and much has been made because of the millennial generation as well as fact
behind that they are also much more within online learning as well as development within home.
The three stage model theory is also helpful here as three stage model where there is a stage
people gets into observing patterns of problemsas well as basis where the issues arrived, also
such as brain storming of the ideas where creativity as well as process of critical thinking also
enhanced the effectiveness that gives solutions as well as able to accomplish goals for my future
growth. In this the 3 stage model will be useful as it will help in describing the situation and
making things easy.. This model generates questions that can assist in evaluating analysing and
observation.
Any contradictions evident from experience and how it is explained
During the workshop i found that there are certain contradictions as well which occurred in it.
So, as my strength is critical thinking and creativity but many times i was not critical and
creative in it. this, it highly impacted on my performance and ability. Here, i found that in time
when there was need to observe situation and found solution but in that case i did not do it
correctly. In addition, another contradiction which i found was that my creativity was normal and
it only mold things. This means that there are no new ways or options included but only old
ways was molded and presented. Therefore, this was not creativity as compared to others. It is
because of overconfidence that i think i am more creative than others. So, i think that i require
training to understand what actually creativity means and how it is integrated with critical
thinking. Also, it might be due to change in way of my thinking ability. i may be able to observe
and analyse differently which has made it difficult for me and put as challenge. (Joubert,. and
Kenny, 2018)
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The other contradiction that i found is ineffective use of critical thinking skills and then
integration with creativity one. This led to getting ineffective outcomes from it. For instance,
when i have to use critical thinking i applied creativity one. Hence, it led to confusion in
understanding of how these both skills are used. Hence, i faced difficulty in it. This is because i
found that it was due to improper use of it. However, in some context i was not able to use these
skills in it. This was due to not having experience in using these skills in it. Therefore, i was not
able to analyse things properly and accurately. So, i did not find any creativity in it.
So, these are some contradiction which i observed at workshop. The ways are related to
howi use effective these skills as compared to other. This was difficult for me to compare and be
more creative in my work.
CONCLUSION
I found that this quality will highly benefit me in future. With that i will be able to
analyse things easily. However, the strength will allow me to enhance my observation skills as
well. then i will be easily able to find out creativity by observing things. Also, i will be able to
work in creative way to attain my goals. Thus, it will enhance my efficiency and productivity.
Therefore, in case of any critical situation i will complete my work fast as compared to others
with creativity. Hence, with that i can become a researcher or entrepreneur. This skill be help me
to overcome my weakness as i will be able to search creative ways to do so. (Joubert,. and
Kenny, 2018) It is necessary for me to develop my strength properly so that i can be more
effective than others. So, for developing strength i will try to observe things and analyse them.
with that i will obtain outcomes from it and then find out creativity from it. thus, i will give
proper time to maintain my strength. I will attend training session, seminars, etc on how to
sharpen creativity and critical thinking abilities. Other than this, i will take feedback from my
friends, class mates, etc. to find out how well is my strength and then on basis of it develop
plan to improve it. will also be able to achieve my set target and objectives while making use of
this quality. This quality is really necessary for my growth and I can have solutions to any
problem faced in future. It will help me in growing.(Yu, 2018)
From the above study it has been summarised that three-stage model of creative and critical
thinking was been used. It was been analysed that creativity and critical thinking emerged as the
quality that has assisted me in achieving the set target and objectives. This quality has emerged
during the time of University workshop. It has also been analysed that various solutions to issues
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faced by team was brought up by making use of this quality. New and innovative ways of doing
work were implemented. It was really necessary for the growth of an individual. Team also
become productive because of this. Main purpose of critical thinking is to ask meaningful
questions and coming up with alternative solution for the same. It has also been analysed that
creativity assists team in coming up with innovative ways. These ways can also be used by them
for any future problem.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ritter, S.M. and Mostert, N., 2017. Enhancement of creative thinking skills using a cognitive-
based creativity training. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 1(3), pp.243-253.
Ulger, K., 2018. The effect of problem-based learning on the creative thinking and critical
thinking disposition of students in visual arts education. Interdisciplinary Journal of
Problem-Based Learning, 12(1).
Mikulec, E., 2019. Short-Term Study Abroad for Pre-Service Teachers: Personal and
Professional Growth in Brighton, England. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching
and Learning, 13(1), p.11.
Korthagen, F., 2017. Inconvenient truths about teacher learning: Towards professional
development 3.0. Teachers and teaching, 23(4), pp.387-405
Bajić, J., 2017. Interpersonal competence and communication skills in the service of personal
and professional development of man. Komunikacije, mediji, kultura, 9(9), pp.93-116..
Bornman, J. and Louw, B., 2019. Personal commitment statements: encouraging the clinical
application of continuing professional development events for health practitioners in low-and
middle-income countries. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 39(2),
pp.86-91.
Joubert, M. and Kenny, S., 2018. Exploring the perspectives of participants of two mathematics
professional development courses in South Africa: personal, professional and community
outcomes. African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology
Education, 22(3), pp.319-328.
Yu, W.M., 2018. Critical incidents as a reflective tool for professional development: An
experience with in-service teachers. Reflective Practice, 19(6), pp.763-776.
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