Understanding Self and Others

This report examines the significance of self-understanding and its role in developing interpersonal skills. It includes a reflective journal analysis of four core skills: focus and attention, time management, public speaking, and written communication. The report identifies strengths and weaknesses, outlines an action plan for improvement, and discusses the tools and techniques used for personal development.

Understanding Self
and Others

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA..............................................................3
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA..............................................................5
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA..............................................................6
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA..............................................................8
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................9
Summary and action plan.......................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Self understanding forms an integral part of social cognition and is one of the prominent
factor for an individual in order to interpret and engage with social world. Self analysis is a
process of developing and improving capabilities, enhancing knowledge and maturing attitudes.
The level with a person understands self depicting their ability to understand others as it is more
critical to accept our imperfections and to know about our potential strengths. Therefore, for an
individual to be an effective leader, one who can inspire and influence employees, it has
becomes essential to understand their core competencies in order to be a ideal for team members
to follow them. Likewise, it is equally significant for leaders to acknowledge key areas of
lacking and works towards overcoming them. The assignment will describe core interpersonal
skills that are significant for me to attain success and career growth. Moreover, it will also briefly
discuss about the tools or techniques that I could take into consideration for improving my
weakness (Anderson and Braud, 2011).
TASK 1
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA
Core skill- Focus and attention
According to Baron-Cohen, Tager-Flusberg and Lombardo (2013) Focus and attention is the
ability of brain to concentrate its entire attention on a target that makes it possible to
quickly identify relevant stimuli. Skill also assists individual to develop concentration that
helps in identifying and analysing various situations. Presence of this skill is requisite for
carefully and efficiently undertaking task related to professional life. Moreover, it also
provide practical solution of several issues and problems that a person encounters in its
personal life.

Importance of skills
This is one of essential skill that helps an individual to concentrate in their work without
getting distracted by thoughts noises or anything else. The reason behind choosing this skill
as developing the skill will enable me to dedicate time and attention to the takes that are
assigned to me. Also it will help me in providing more authentic and reliable solutions to
complex problem by being calm and focusing my entire energies and knowledge towards
finding a viable solution. Mentioned below are certain other importance of this skill:
 Finding Solutions: This skill is significant for me to develop as it aid me expressing
my opinions to others calmly and patiently without hurting or disrespecting others
orientation. This will also help me to improve my ability to get into deep analysis or
to deeply study the root cause of any problem or conflict. Thus, it will help in
resolving disputes on early stage that will ensure that assignments are finished on
time without any delay.
 Maintaining work life balance: This skill will also help me to maintain a perfect
balance between my personal and professional life. As it will help to set my
proprieties that will make me remain passionate towards doing my work without
sacrificing my personal life commitments with my family and friends.
Henceforth, the above mentioned are the key causes why I choose to select the specific skill
to reflect.
Current competent regarding the skills
In personal I need to improve this skill of mine. Although I am focused towards the job that
is been assigned to me and also pay immense attention to properly complete it. However, in
due course of time, I get distracted by indulging in some conversation with my colleagues in
between my work. For improving in this skill I will be referring Jung Personality test that
will assist me to be more organized by taking rational decisions, processing my information
before I act or work upon anything. to Also, I been attentive and focused to complete my
work any how before deadline disturbs by personal life as I skip my lunch hours to complete
an assigned task. Even according to my superiors when it comes to work, I am quiet focused
although I still need to improve my such skills so that I could maintain proper work life
balance.

Identification of contradictions from analysis
There are certain presumptions in my collogues that I lack in setting priorities. Also in
opinion of some of them, skipping my lunch is my strategy to portrait myself as dedicated
employee. Thus, it is utmost important for me to change mind set of these people by
improving my skills.
How might this skill helpful in future
Focus and attention skill will definitely assist me to systematically arrange my priorities and
work according to them. This will help me to attain my professional objectives as well as to
enjoy my personal life. This skill will also enhance concentration power that will benefit me
during my work as I will be having control over various situations.
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA
Core skill- Time Management
According to Frye (2014), time management is the process of effectively managing limited
time that is available by segregating operation on the basis of priority and assigning specific
time to them. This skill helps in enhancing productivity, performance and effectiveness of
the course of action that are to be undertaken. It also provide an individual with a chance to
set time on a specific activity as per their own will.

Importance of skill
Time management forms one of the core skill that are of utmost significance to acquire or to
develop ability for making a perfect choice in allocating more time to tasks that have high
priority to be completed on specific time period. This skill is to reap several benefit for me
as not only it will assist in my professional life but also will positively impact my personal
lifestyle. The reason behind selecting this style for reflection is efficiency in this skill that
can help me successfully completing my tasks before deadlines and that will directly
influence my career growth and development. Certain other significance of this time
management skill is mentioned below:
Helpful in avoiding distractions: This skill will keep me focused towards my given task
and thus will help me to not to get distracted. It is because when I will divide my work
according to priority then I will be having targets within specific time slots to achieve.
Thus, this will keep me focused towards my work. By developing this skill I will be able to
be creative in my work approach and will be able to find viable solutions that will reduce
my work over load.
Increase opportunities: Proficiency in this skill will clear my path to get various
opportunities. This is because when I will be able to attain my targets before deadlines, it
will help me to explore different areas of my expertise. Also, I am likeable to be given
higher responsibility by my superiors that will help in my career growth.
Current competent regarding the skills
My time management skills as if now average which makes it essential for me to develop
this competency as it forms basis to attain work efficiency and productivity. I am good in
setting priorities and working within deadlines in task which are simple or require average
level of expertise. However, while undertaking complex task that requires higher
knowledge, skills and capabilities to be implied and requires in-depth study of subject
matter I lacks in meeting up the deadlines. For improving this skill, I will make use of MCI
(Management Charter Initiative) technique that will help me in analysing point of lacking in
my time management skill.
Identification of contradictions from analysis
According to opinion of my colleagues, I overthinks about being lacking in this skill. They
feels that as I am able to complete my tasks with high quality, taking nominal extra time

does not counts in lacking. However, my superiors thinks that developing this skill will
ultimately help me in career growth. In accordance to their feedback also my work quality
is quiet good however I need to develop skills to manage my work according to specific
time period.
How might this skill helpful in future
Time management is one of the basic and most important skill that I require to develop for
improving my proficiency. Command in this skill will help me to develop several other
skills like, to be able to handle multiple tasks at one time, to attain the daily targets
successfully and so on. This ultimately can assist in my career growth and will also provide
me with ample time to spend with my family and friends.
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA
Core skill- Public Speaking
According to Gonzales and Hancock (2011) public speaking refers to the process of
communicating information or act of performing a speech in front of live audience. This
sort of speech is purposely structured with 3 key purposes i.e. to persuade, to inform and to
entertain. It usually takes place before a vast number of audience, the workplace, like in
school & even in personal lives as well. In public speaking, information delivered by
speaker is purposeful and meant to influence or entertain a group of listeners.
Importance of skills
With the help of this skill, individual can form connection, motivate change and influence
decision. It is considered as one of the most essential and dreaded form of communication.
Mastering in this skill will results in increasing the confidence and with that, one can attain
a collected presence in front of large audience. The main reason why I have chosen this skill
is because it helps in improving my level of confidence, communication skill, leadership
skill as well as the ability to understand and read people. This indirectly helps in growth and
development of my both personal and professional career.
Current competent regarding the skills
As of now, my public speaking skill is good i.e. I can confidently speak in front of large

gatherings without any hesitation. In-fact, I always wait for the opportunity to speak in
public. However, in delivering what exactly the information contains, adequate skill and
knowledge is required to first understand it my own level and then speaking & delivering
what exactly it contains. To improve in this skill one of the apt technique that I will be
referring to is Johri Window that will help me to gain understanding of myself and make it
easy for me to channelize my thoughts.
Identification of contradictions from analysis
From the prospective of my colleagues I am unable to communicate effectively in front of
large audience. This is because they think I stammer whenever I speak in public and I also
lacks in delivering important crux of the topic. Simultaneously, they think my
communication and speaking skills are ineffective
How might this skill helpful in future
It is considered as an exceedingly valuable tool that help an individual to attain something
bigger in life. With strong public speaking skills, one can put a great leg over people or
peers who all are working & competing against each other. This skill can make one good
leader and also assist in impressing your boss. Along with this, it also help in creating
context in your network i.e. establishing strong relationship among them.
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA
Core skill- Written Communication
According to Murphy and et. al. (2010) Written communication can be described as a
ability of a person to communicate a message or exchange an information to two or more
persons in written form. It is one of the easiest and effective medium of business
communication that involves reports, notices, emails, letters, job description, memos etc.
Importance of skills
In this era of digitalization, written communication forms one of the core skill that is
requisite for business professionals to acquire or posses. It is because it assist managers and
leaders in efficiently handling workforce by properly communicating organisations policies,
norms and in providing them clear and specific directions related to work. Thus, it decreases
chance of employees getting confused that further could lead to role and goal conflicts

among them. The reason for selecting this skill for reflection is because it will help me to
clearly and effectively share complex and lengthy instruction and information with my team
members. Other importance related to this skill is as follows:
Helpful in establishing relations: Perfectly written, specific and clear message or
information assists in developing work integrity, building trust and good relations within a
firm. This skill will help me to understand and further communicated instructions and
messages clearly and correctly without getting confused from that official language in
which the particular email, letter, notice etc. is been written.
It creates permanent records: Another major significance of written communication is that
it provides permanent record of letter, proposal, incidence, information or any other fact that
could be used as an evidence any time later. Thus, proficiency in this skill will enable me to
maintain record of terms and conditions of employment offer, various official letters,
reports etc. that I could later use for taking any work related decision. Besides, it will serve
as a legitimate proof authenticate my statements and instructions as an executive or manager
to counter off any allegation, discrimination or remuneration related practices.
Current competent regarding the skills
In personal, I have good command over my written communication skills however as per
my self analysis I am still not up to mark or proficient in this areas of communication. This
is because I lack down in conveying my thoughts or exchanging information properly in a
formal language. For improving this skill I will tools like VARK Model that will help me
to improve my visual, auditory, writing and kinaesthetic skills.
Identification of contradictions from analysis
Although my superiors are convinced with current level of my skills but they keep on giving
me feedbacks and tips to further enhance my this skill. They review my written
communication skills on monthly basis and give guidance on using correct formal
vocabulary and to use effective formatting tools.
How might this skill helpful in future
Being professional in this skill will help me gaining understanding of my colleagues as I
will be able to clearly convey my ideas, thoughts, work related expectations and also to
provide them proper guidance and directions. This further will assist in depicting clear
picture of vision, mission and goals that are to be achieved thereby reducing any sort of

confusion in them.
TASK 2
Summary and action plan
For a person, it is of high significance to identify and improve their personal skills that
are requisite for them to be proficient and competent in this competitive business environment.
Mentioned below are my key strength and weakness:
Strength Weaknesses
 My strength lies in my good public
speaking skills that makes me confident
to convey my thoughts, opinions and
ideas effectively to public.
 There is scope of me to improve my
focus and attention skills
 Another weakness of mine lies in my
lacking in written communication
skills.
 Another area of improvement for me
lies in developing my time management
skills
From the analysis conducted above I find out the my key strength lies in my time
management and public speaking skills. From the feedback that I received from my colleagues
and superiors, I efficiently manage completing my task with high quality within specific
deadlines. Also my public speaking skills are up to the mark as I confidently and impressively
convey my thought, ideas and information to others leaving them with no confusion and getting
inspired to perform their tasks accordingly (Salvatore and et. al., 2012).
Mentioned above reflective also enlighten me about my key areas of improvements that
lies in my focus and attention skills and written communication skills .
Develop
ment
area
Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely
Time
manage
To enhance my
time
I will consider
myself proficient
To improve
this skill I am
This skill will
provide me
To gain
expertise it

ment
skill
management
skill to finish
complex
projects on time
and to develop
multi tasking
ability
in this skill when
I will be able to do
multi tasking by
working on two or
more project
simultaneously
and completing
all of them on
time
required to
become
habitual to
prepare a to-
do- list that
will help me
to remember
important
tasks and to
systematically
arrange them
according to
priority. Also,
I will practise
on various
online
examination
and tests that
will help me
developing my
skills to
segregate
important
activities
according to
deadlines.
capacity to be
handle higher
responsibilitie
s other than
the work
assigned to me
which will
give me career
growth
will take me
minimum 6
months to
excel in multi
tasking
Written
Commun
ication
Skills.
To intensify my
written
communication
skills.
My criteria for
success will be
when when
articles, reports or
any information
For
developing
this skills, I
will take help
of various
These
practices will
help me to
improve
formal
3 months will
be sufficient
for me to gain
proficiency in

written by me will
be clearly
understandable to
people without
any confusions or
questions
online and
offline writing
programs
besides
seeking
opportunities
to write for
any magazine,
company etc.
vocabulary
and will also
improve my
script writing
for formal
documents
this skill.
Focus
and
Attentio
n Skills
To develop my
focus and
attention skills
so that I do not
get distracted
during my work
I will consider
myself proficient
in this kill when I
will be able to
complete my work
before deadlines
without been
distracted even
when number of
my colleagues are
talking with me
For
developing
this
competency I
will take
meditation
classes that
will help me
to develop my
concentration
level. Also I
will take
guidance of
A/V
processing
programs,
interactive
Metronome
programs.
Meditation
and various
A/V programs
will help me
to be exercise
motor
planning and
sequencing
capacities and
will also copes
up my brain's
cognitive
functions like
memory,
ability to
multitask etc.
4 months of
regular
mediation and
practising on
these program
swill develop
my skills

CONCLUSION
From above mentioned report, it can be concluded that above discussed skills plays key
role in growth and development of an individual. Each skill is having its own advantage and
limitation which critically needs to be taken into account while implementing the skill in both
personal and professional career. Additionally, it makes person more knowledgable, skilled and
competent. Through the help of personal development plan, individual can improve their basic
skills and outcomes in more adequate manner.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Anderson, R. and Braud, W., 2011. Transforming self and others through research:
Transpersonal research methods and skills for the human sciences and humanities.
SUNY Press.
Baron-Cohen, S., Tager-Flusberg, H. and Lombardo, M. eds., 2013. Understanding other minds:
Perspectives from developmental social neuroscience. Oxford University Press.
Frye, D., 2014. Children's theories of mind: Mental states and social understanding. Psychology
Press.
Gonzales, A.L. and Hancock, J.T., 2011. Mirror, mirror on my Facebook wall: Effects of
exposure to Facebook on self-esteem. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social
Networking. 14(1-2). pp.79-83.
Murphy, E.R. and et. al., 2010. Differential processing of metacognitive evaluation and the
neural circuitry of the self and others in schizophrenia: a pilot study.Schizophrenia
research. 116(2). pp.252-258.
Salvatore, G. and et. al., 2012. Vulnerable self, poor understanding of others' minds, threat
anticipation and cognitive biases as triggers for delusional experience in schizophrenia:
a theoretical model. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. 19(3). pp.247-259.
Sosik, J.J. and Cameron, J.C., 2010. Character and authentic transformational leadership
behavior: Expanding the ascetic self toward others. Consulting Psychology Journal:
Practice and Research. 62(4). p.251.
Walsh, S.P., White, K.M. and McD Young, R., 2010. Needing to connect: The effect of self and
others on young people's involvement with their mobile phones. Australian journal of
psychology. 62(4). pp.194-203.
Online
Top 10 Leadership Skills. 2017. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.thebalance.com/top-
leadership-skills-2063782>

APPENDIX
Jung Personality test: This test measures preferences of an individual to deal with people, make
decision, organise life and process data. I used this personality test to develop my skills of
focus and attention. One of the main benefit of using this test is provide an overall view of
an individual’s personality.
MCI (Management Charter Initiative): This is another model of personal competence which
help an individual to deal with the areas in which he/she lack. I used this tool to improve my
time management skills.
Johari Window: This is a tool which help an individual to better understand their relationship
with others. Mainly this is used in self-help groups and that’s why I used this in to order to
improve my skill of speaking in front of public.
VARK Model: VARK stands for Visual, Aural, Read and Kinesthetic that are used for learn
information. As per this model, most of the individuals prefer to learn in one way from the
three: visual, auditory or kinesthetic. I utilise this model to improve my written
communication.