Personal and Professional Development: Reflection on Key Strengths

This reflective essay explores the development of a key personal quality, management, through personal and professional development activities. It discusses the theories and approaches of reflection used to enhance this quality and the challenges faced. The essay also highlights the subject, course code, and college/university where the module was undertaken.

UGB260 Personal &
Professional Development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
REFLECTIVE ESSAY....................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Personal and Professional Development can be referred to as a domain that is concerned
with enhancement of competencies as well as skills in a person through capitalisation upon
several practices, scenarios and activities (Bayar, 2014). It is immensely important for personnel
to carry out reflection upon such development in order to effectively comprehend the events
carrying favourable outcomes along with the ones which hold scope for incorporation of
improvement within them. The following paper is a personal reflection uncovering the
recognition as well as evaluation of a specific quality which got developed owing to experiences
within module and workshop exercises. In addition to this, the reflective essay will gain an
insight into some theories which supported the development of chosen key personal quality till
the completion of module.
REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Working upon the module has been an extensive learning experience providing assistance
to me in inflating my existent skill set as well as competencies, thereby completing the required
tasks in predefined course of time. In this relation, I have identified that there have been several
qualities that are developed over the course of time. These consist of management, analytical
skill, communication skill, critical thinking, creativity and so on. However, I acknowledged that
there was one specific quality that stood out in enriching my overall experience throughout the
module. In this relation, I can say that management is a quality that I consider as my key
strength. Management can be referred to as the art of executing effective planning, organizing,
directing, monitoring and controlling of the activities belonging to a specific task such that the
task can be completed in due course of time. Thus, management renders help to an individual in
accomplishing the desired goals in an efficient and effective way. In addition to this, this quality
also provides personnel with the scope of effectively utilising the available resources in a manner
such that they can help in timely accomplishment of end goals in accordance with the target set
at the beginning of the task (Bogomaz, Kozlova and Atamanova, 2015).
To carry out better analysis and evaluation of a task or activity, theories of reflection have
been utilised by me across during the course of module. The workshop activity for an instance
acquainted me with the various theories of reflection and reflectivity. This allowed me to reflect
upon the experiences gained in past through the appropriate application of management. During
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the workshop activities, reflection allowed me to gain an insight into my working pattern in a
detailed manner. As a result of this, I was able to recognise as well as evaluate my past mistakes,
thereby allowing me to undertake measures through which the same can be overcome in relation
to the application of management as a a quality. In addition to this, there were several instances
whereby the concept of reflexivity was applied by me. For instance, in the value added element, I
constantly observed the management being done there. Besides this, coordination as well as
cooperation with the members of the team allowed me to use the concept of reflexivity and
observe the management being carried out.
Throughout the module, I got acquainted with several models or approaches of reflection.
These were duly leveraged by me while applying the quality of management. In this relation, it
has been determined that one of the most effective approaches linked to reflection is learning.
This has been acknowledged as a conventional approach related to increment of knowledge of
various concepts to carry out reflection in a better manner in future course of time. Yet another
approach linked to reflection is identified to be self awareness. This is a process encompassing
critical evaluation of oneself by way of analysis of one's identity through comprehension of the
good as well as bad aspects in them. The next approach in this respect is identified as creative
expression through which visualisation can be carried out by a person (Davies, Curtin and
Robson, 2017). Out of all of these facets, I made use of self awareness along with learning in a
bid to carry out reflection upon execution of management throughout the module. The current
reflection is also carried out by making use of these approaches only. Both of these approaches
have largely contributed towards guaranteeing a better execution of my quality which acted as a
key strength throughout the module. This could be ensured via observation, that enabled me to
come up with positive changes in terms of better application of quality of management at the
time of carrying out tasks as well as activities of the module.
Over the course of module, I indulged in many effective exercises. One of these activities
is acknowledged to be Value Added Element in relation to which there were various subjects in
the form of alternatives to make a selection from. These choices included Language, Computing
Technologies, Enterprise and Creativity & Critical Thinking. Out of all of these, the subject
chosen by me was Enterprise. In this relation, the subject of Enterprise was concerned with
proposition of a viable business idea surrounding which a business plan could be developed. The
same was to be lucratively demonstrated with the help of a Power Point Presentation. This
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activity required the development of a team which would be responsible for presenting the viable
business opportunity that can be transformed into a business venture. The idea was supposed to
be pitched to the investors.
During the module, I encountered numerous opportunities which enabled to elevate my
quality of management. In this relation, Theory of Happenstance is put to practice which states
that it is crucial for personnel to effectively determine a direction which acquaints with the path
to tread upon. This can be carried out through strong planning and controlling. Now, during the
module, I faced many situations that allowed me to implement happenstance intentionally by
carrying out proper planning. While working upon development of team for Enterprise subject
and activity, I realised that management was one of my key qualities that always acted as the
strength for me to carry out any kind of task or activity in the desired manner in the predefined
course of time. The theory of happenstance states that unplanned circumstances should be
transformed into opportunities. Thus, the process encompassing formation of team for the
proposition of a viable new business idea was carried out in a manner which allowed the
consideration of future uncertainties so that they could be converted into positive outcomes.
Hereby, multiple roles were taken into account by me for the formulation of a team, like
customer champion, visionary, innovation architect and the rainmaker. All of these roles were
duly associated with the proposed business idea and were created while taking into due
consideration the unplanned circumstances. Another domain whereby management was applied
by me was in the collection and dispersal of information within the team. To facilitate this, Speed
Networking had been leveraged which allowed rapid, effective and safe exchange of information
among the members of new business team (Mair, 2012).
It has been analysed that the quality of management helped me at various stages of the
overall course of module, such as planning of roles in the team, allotment of duties among the
members, and selection of personnel for the success of pitch to the investors. Compilation of
work done by the different members of the team also required the application of quality of
management (Polizzi and Frick, 2012). Thus, this quality acted as my key strength al-throughout
the module.
I posses certain number of attributes and capabilities that supports me to apply
Management. One of the attribute is termed as Networking as it needs huge socialising for
anticipation together with planning right people and talents for particular job position
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(Hildebrand, 2018). With the help of the attribute, I explored about happenstance event to
desired level. It is because this the attribute permitted me to effectively foresee and evaluate
skills and competences among people and select accurate talent or person for the job that is key
for the activity. My other attribute in this is Professioanlism as when it comes to sharing or
communicating information with others, I am very professional. It is conduct and attitude of a
person at workplace or business environment. I have properly planned and bifurcated
communication channels in professional aspects through digital software. It helped me to encode
the message, protect it with strong password and acquire suitable media channel for the purpose
of workplace discussions, meetings and many more. It is because certain circumstances including
loss of data and theft of information can arise. In order to protect the information and share with
accurate person, necessary precautions were taken for enhancing opportunities to share
information in effectual ways. The attribute assisted me to exploit wide number of opportunities
to develop me as professional person.
In workshop exercises, there were numerous things that I found challenging or difficulty.
In this, I analysed that supervising or directing others was most complex task in value added
aspect. In the activity, I failed many times in overseeing subordinates and directing them to
perform or complete critical task in systematic or structured manner. It was because human
resource belong to different cultures and have different perception about each other which
increased my working to manage them or taking account of unplanned conditions concerned
with lower productivity, efficiency and cost. Moreover, happenstance theory works in the
activity as it guided me to properly forecast perceptions of people for each other and control their
activities. This also helped me a lot to devise strategies for managing subordinates, allotting
working to them as per their interest and experiences. While doing so, I examined that some of
people were not happy with work delegation which increased my complexities to supervise them.
At the same, the complexity in supervision acted as setback for me to anticipate chances and
analyse what others think about me and my actions (Vetere and Stratton, 2016).
In this, various contradictions were also taken place. For instance, conflict or issues
among two people in the group because of distinct thoughts and views on particular action. This
was not properly managed by me and it directly contradict with happenstance framework. It is
because I must be prepared to deal with people and the situation in quick manner. In this, I
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executed reflexivity along with solved conflicts between both parties through engaging them into
communication that leaded to reaching towards specific ground.
In the module, I participated in Workshop activities that was related to identifying
personal characteristics and qualities that I have. The activity have improved my knowledge
about personal together with professional development. In this, one of activity was of
determining personal qualities through Myers Briggs Type Indicator (Salter and Rhodes, 2018).
It is concerned with identifying personal behaviours, emotional reactions as well as perceptions
that shows what kind of personality I posses. Moreover, I also tool personality test that permitted
me for reflecting on my career behaviour, attitudes together with choices. In the test, I analysed
that I have various number of qualities including critical thinking, extravert, planning future,
managing others and adherence to work ethics. This has increased my knowledge for ethical
workings and operations through which activities are to be completed. Furthermore, I initiated
my workings to encourage group members by properly adhering ethical conduct. All these things
are accurate for me to improve my strength in which Quality Management is associated.
In the analysis, I evaluated that management is one of key skill of mine that will be more
beneficial to me in my coming career or future. It is because quality is necessary in all workings
whether it is related to personal or professional aspects (Meek, 2016). It is deeply required for
managing all kinds of activities appropriately and efficiently. Moreover, quality also retains
loyalty from others as when a person works with required quality then it retains others for longer
durations. Effective quality of work improves personification, promotes positive attitude towards
work and causes less accidents. Similarly, management includes functions of planning,
assuming, organising, leading and controlling tasks or activities which I allot to others with
better knowledge of devising strategically and plans in future.
I am also planning to execute multiple activities or practices for exploiting my strengths
in effective context. One of the activity is taking part in training programmes that involves
simulation. The activity is good opportunity for me to polish my strengths as well as improve
skills for becoming effective manager in future. It required huge cost but the results are
immense. This will benefit me to overcome from my limitations in the quality and applying it
accurately in future. My another activity will be attending seminars or conferences for increasing
knowledge or expanding my personal together with professional development. It provided
insights which are never taught internally in any company or online. With this, I will be able to
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manage complex situations and have huge number of strategies to apply management concept for
attaining desired outcomes in future. Conferences also sparkle new ideas, enhances greatest
assets of person that is themselves and provided blended learning environment with huge
opportunities to engage in wide format array (Earley, 2020).
CONCLUSION
On the basis of the practice of reflection carried out above, it has been determined that
professional and personal development is a key component of the growth and development
process of an individual. In addition to this, it has been determined that reflection is a practice
which allows an individual to gain an insight into oneself and their abilities. With the help of this
process, the person can easily identify the quality which acts as the key strength for them
throughout the course of time. Besides this, it has been determined that the individual should
keep on undertaking activities as well as practices through which such key strength can be
further developed to yield positive outcomes. Furthermore, it has been inferred that the
utilisation of models as well as theories provide support to a discussion while enabling an
individual to enhance and develop their skill set and competencies. The development of quality
enables the personnel to gain access to a better future such that the growth can be elevated in
academic along with professional context.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bayar, A., 2014. The Components of Effective Professional Development Activities in Terms of
Teachers' Perspective. Online Submission, 6(2), pp.319-327.
Bogomaz, S.A., Kozlova, N.V. and Atamanova, I.V., 2015. University students' personal and
professional development: The socio-cultural environment effect.
Davies, K., Curtin, M. and Robson, K., 2017. Impact of an international workplace learning
placement on personal and professional development. Australian Occupational Therapy
Journal, 64(2), pp.121-128.
Earley, P., 2020. Surviving, thriving and reviving in leadership: The personal and professional
development needs of educational leaders. Management in Education,
p.0892020620919763.
Hildebrand, J., 2018. Bridging the gap: A training module in personal and professional
development. Routledge.
Mair, C., 2012. Using technology for enhancing reflective writing, metacognition and
learning. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 36(2), pp.147-167.
Meek, F., 2016. The Food Teacher Professional Portfolio–a personal and professional
development programme for secondary food teachers. Nutrition Bulletin. 41(4). pp.365-
371.
Polizzi, J.A. and Frick, W.C., 2012. Transformative preparation and professional development:
Authentic reflective practice for school leadership. Teaching and Learning, 26(1),
pp.20-34.
Salter, M. and Rhodes, P., 2018. On becoming a therapist: A narrative inquiry of personal–
professional development and the training of clinical psychologists. Australian
Psychologist. 53(6). pp.486-492.
Vetere, A. and Stratton, P. eds., 2016. Interacting selves: Systemic solutions for personal and
professional development in counselling and psychotherapy. Routledge.
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