Understanding Self and Others

This study explores the importance of personal development plan and core skills of development. It discusses the significance of time management, focus and attention, public speaking, and team working in both personal and professional life.

Running head: UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
Executive summary
Importance of personal development plan and core skills of development have been identified in
this study. During the learning process, time management, focus and attention, public speaking
and team working have been identified as the important core skills that can play significant role
for enhancing both the personal and professional skills. Understanding the importance of
different core skills and its implementation in real world, its importance in both the personal and
professional life has been analyzed. Highlighting different theoretical aspects of personal
abilities, self-assessment process has been highlighted. Using different self-assessment tools,
strength and weakness have been identified. After identification of personal abilities and
weakness, its relevancy has been compared with the feedbacks collected from different peer
group. Analyzing the importance of core skills in personal development, its importance in future
development has been discussed. In the second section of this study, strength and weaknesses
have been highlighted. At the end of the study, personal development plan has been introduced
in which time management, focus and public speaking ability development plan have been
discussed.

2UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
Table of contents
Reflective personal development plan:............................................................................................3
Summary and Action plan.............................................................................................................10
Reference list and bibliography.....................................................................................................14
Appendices....................................................................................................................................16

3UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
Reflective personal development plan:
Appendix A
What is the core skill to develop?
Analyzing my strength and weakness, it can be assumed that with the effective skill of time
management, it will be easier for me to organize the everyday activities in proper manner. I
believe, if I will be able to effectively develop my skills, it will be beneficial for me to
increase my effectiveness (Gallagher 2013). Time management indicates the ability of
individuals that can help to increase the productivity in the workplace. By continuing this, it
can be said that based on the time management ability right time allocating skill helps to
manage the tasks in proper manner.
Focus and attention indicates the dedicating ability of individuals. Depending on the proper
attention, people get focused towards achieving their goals. Sustainable attention can be
considered as the important ability that plays an important role for specifying the task for
continuous growth. Attention helps to set various factors and focus choose one of those. The
meaning of attention is to direct human mind from random to specific thought on the other
hand, focus helps to extend the tremendous effort for enhancing the attention areas.
The term public speaking indicates a process that can help to make speeches in public. In this
process, good speech is being provided by the speaker for grabbing the attention of the
audience. The process of public speaking is being governed based on different structures and
rules. The general purpose of public speaking is beneficial in terms of entertainment. Through
the persuasive as well as informative speech making process, public speaking helps to share

4UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
knowledge with large numbers of people at a time.
Team working is being considered as the crucial part in self-development. In case of effective
team working environment by cooperating each others, constructive framework can be
developed that helps to develop individuals’ skill. It is also true that the team working ability
helps to avoid the conflict between individuals in a workplace. Based on the willingness of a
group of people team work helps to achieve the goals of individuals.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant
theories and concepts to support your answer)
I believe good time management can play an influential role in case of accomplishing work in
a shorter period of time. I believe, if I will be able to devlop the time management skill in
mine, it can help me to get opportunities in my workplace. I also believe, time management
skill can play an important role for reducing stress as well as it can also help to increase my
dedication towards bringing the career success. By improving different aspects of time
management, the career graph of mine can be improved. By exercising continuous control on
my activities, time management skills of mine not only help to increase my efficiency, but
also it can help to increase the efficacy of individuals. In order to improve the aspect of my
life, I believe the contribution of time management skill is important.
On the other hand, analyzing the importance of focus and attention skill, it has been identified
by me that in order to gain success, it can play an influential role. It cannot be denied that
people do not born with the power of attention. It is very important for the individuals to
develop the power so that they can increase their control on different activities. Power of
attention also being considered as the process of concentration. In case of attention, listening

5UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
skills of individuals gets developed. I believe, in order to bring both the personal and
professional development of mine, I need to improve my focus and attention skills. I believe,
in case of developing an effective training program, attention is very important as in this
process, understanding both the oral and written processes the focus and attention abilities are
being increased.
Public speaking ability is being considered as one of the important aspects of communication
skill. In this process, interaction abilities can be increased. I believe, the major purpose behind
public speaking skill is increase the confidence of individuals so that they can be able to
effectively participate in different discussion. Based on the public speaking ability, the
leadership qualities of individuals can be judged. I strongly believe, in order to motivate
others, this skill can play an important role. Using the speaking ability, I will be able to
convince large numbers of people and gain their attention, which can help me to develop my
leadership skills. I also believe, in order to develop strong workplace culture this skill of mine
can play an important role. It has been analyzed by me that the public speaking abilities are
being developed based on 7 elements such as speakers, message, channel, listener, feedback,
interference, and situation. Based on these elements, it will become easier for me to
understand its importance in proper manner.
Team working ability is being developed based on the co-operating skills of the people
(Cottrell and Stella 2011). I strongly believe, team working ability not only help to increase
the risk taking abilities. I have selected this as the important part in my development process
as I strongly feel that in order to attaining growth in my professional career, it can play an
important role. By continuing this I can also say that if I will be able to properly develop my
team working abilities, it can help me to increase my problem solving skills. Analyzing

6UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
different aspects of team working skills, it can be said that in the year 1965, Tuckman
developed the theory on team development. In this theory, forming, storming, norming and
performing processes have been mentioned, which are important for improving effective team
working abilities of mine.
Reflect on your current competence regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers and your tutor, plus
your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to answer this question
By understanding both the strength and weakness of mine it has been identified by me that I
am little shy and afraid communicating with the strangers. I have strong dedicational skills but
due to my lack of time management ability most of the tomes I face failure for
implementation or organizing my plans. Analyzing my abilities I have also identified that I
have strong intelligence skill. I have the ability to understand others needs and demands,
which proves that I have the strong ability to become a good leader. I also believe, I can easily
motivate people towards achieving their goals. However, collecting feedbacks from my
friends, I have understood that although I have the capability to convince people, but my
ability is limited into my friends circle. Due to my shyness, I have never tried to convince
strangers. I am a kind of introvert person, which creates challenges for me to show my
abilities to the world. It has been identified by my professor that I have strong listening
ability. Rather than making press9ure on others, I try to listen individuals.
They believe, this quality of mine can make strong impact on my career graph. They also
believe, based on these qualities of mine, I can easily make my important position in my

7UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
workplace. However, by continuing this, it has also been analyzed by me that I am little short
tempered. When people do not listen to me I get angry and due to my angerness, I sometimes
use abusive languages, which hurt people. In the self-assessment, it has also been identified
by me that I have the ability to fulfill my jobs in proper manner, however in case of working
as a team member I face various difficulties due to my lack of cooperating skills. Some of the
cases, due to lack of cooperating ability of mine I get angry and this create disturbing situation
for me.
Understanding individuals’ feedbacks regarding my behavioral characteristics, I can say that
the negative characteristics on mine have been identified by me while performing different
activities (Cottrell and Stella 2011). It is not that I have ignored all the negative behavioral
characteristics, however, I also believe, if proper training would have been provided to me, it
will be easier for me to deal with the issues. However, I also believe that the feedbacks which
have been provided by me friends are not totally justified with my characteristics. I believe, I
have strong patient and I rarely use the abusive language. I also believe, rather that abusing
others I prefer to leave the conflicting situations. By continuing this, I can also say that in case
of bring positive growth in my behavioral characteristics, I need to focus on adopting the core
skills of time management, focus and attention, public speaking and team working. Based on
these skills, not only my personality can be developed, but also these core skills will help me
to handle different situation in my workplace in future.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is there a match
between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not?
Analyzing all the feedbacks and self-assessment results, I can say that I will not agree all the
feedbacks people have provided regarding my characteristics. I will not deny that I have the

8UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
issue with time management. I have also realized that in few of the cases, while performing
my job. It is also true that due to lack of understanding regarding time management I have
faced negative comments from my parents too. However, I also believe, the allegation
regarding my short temper, which have been mentioned by me professor is not true. It is also
true that due to my shy nature I feel afraid to talk with strangers. Due to my shyness, most of
the cases, I do not participate in discussion. I also felt that my shyness creates the barrier for
sharing my ideas with others. However, I also believe that I have strong listening ability
which makes me quite. I have also analyzed that I am afraid of dealing with the conflict
situation. In most of the cases, avoiding conflicting situation, I stay quite ever after people do
wrong to me. I believe, this weakness of mine is the major barrier in my growth. Rather than
contributing myself in the problem solving process, I step out from the situation. I strongly
believe, this behavioral characteristics of mine not only drive the negative impact on my
career graph, but also it increases the question regarding my ability as a leader.
How might this skill help me in the future?
In the analysis, it has been identified by me that in order to bring the positive growth in my
personal as well as professional career, I need to focus on improving my skills on time
management, focus and attention, public speaking and team working. As per my
understanding, time management skill of mine will play an important role for increasing my
abilities for managing the challenging situation. Using the effective time management skill,
risk taking abilities of individuals can be increased, which drive people towards becoming a
strong leader (Gholipour 2016.). By continuing this, I can also say that focus and attention
skill also play an important role for increasing the concentrating ability of mine, which will
help me to make an effective decision on the behalf of my organization. It not only enhance

9UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
my leadership abilities, but also increasing concentration of mine towards my job, I can make
a strong example for my friends and colleagues (Emmerling and Boyatzis 2012). As I have
repeatedly mentioned that due to my shyness, I feel afraid to share my ideas with others in
that case, if I will effectively develop the plan for increasing my public speaking abilities, I
can set a strong example for those people who have the ability to bring innovation but due to
lack of confidence do not share those ideas. Public speaking ability not only help to increase
my communication ability, but also it can play an important role to increase my confidence
towards achieving my goals. It cannot be denied that due to lack of cooperating abilities, it
becomes harder for me to perform in a team. In that case I believe, if I will be able to gain the
team working ability, it will be beneficial for me to enhance my knowledge. Based on the
team working ability, it can become easier for the individuals to share their knowledge. It also
helps to enhance the interaction skills. I believe, with the effective team working ability, it
will be easier for me to achieve my goals by performing as an effective team member.
Summary and Action plan

10UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
As per my understanding introducing an effective self-development plan, it is very
important for me to make an effective self-assessment, in which understanding my both the
strength and weaknesses I will be able to identify an effective way towards bringing
development in my personality. Understanding different theoretical aspects of self-development.
It has been analyzed by me that in order to improve the `performance ability of individuals,
understanding individuals’ personality traits is important.
Strength
 I have strong analytical ability
 I am quite creative
 With ambitious nature of mine a can be a strong motivator
Weakness
 I am not a good team player
 I have lack of exploring ability, which makes me introvert and shy
Based on the analysis it can be said that in order to bring self-development, I need to improve
my focus skill
Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely
Development
Area 1
Focus
I want to
improve my
focus skill
so that I can
be more
In order to
measure the
improvement,
I will monitor
my activities
I believe the
goal is
attainable as
based setting
daily basis
Based on this
skill,
dedication as
well as
concentration
In order to
complete the
target 30
days will be

11UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
determined
towards
achieving
my goals
and will set
personal goals
in daily basis.
job target, the
improvements
can be easily
identified.
I will make
the goal in the
morning and
follow the
entire
schedule till
night.
skill of mine
will get
improved.
required
Development
Area 2
Time
management
I want to
improve my
time
management
ability so
that I can
have proper
control on
my job and
my
efficiency of
working can
In order to
measure my
improvements,
I can set my
own goals.
Trying to
complete my
own task
within time, I
can improve
my ability.
I believe this
plan is
realistic as it
not only help
to improve
my personal
abilities, but
in can help
me in my
professional
field.
Setting my
own goals, I
will be able
to develop
my
competitive
energy,
which will
help to
develop my
time
management
In order to
achieve the
target I will
take 2
months

12UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
be increased skill.
Development
Area 3
Public
speaking skill
Public
speaking
ability of
mine will
help to
develop my
interpersonal
skills
I will attend
different
seminars and
presentations,
where I will
get the chance
to share my
knowledge
with large
numbers of
people.
I believe by
attending
different
seminars,
confidence of
mine can be
increased,
which will
help to reduce
my publicly
speaking fear
Participating
in different
seminars,
stage fear as
well as fear
of talking
with the
strangers will
be reduced.
In order to
achieve the
target I will
take 6
months
Reference list and bibliography
123test.com 2019. Retrieved from:
https://www.123test.com/team-roles-test/id=IPVMJSZOFGLE&version= [Available on 20th
March, 2019]
Butler, M. and Rose, E. (eds) 2011. Introduction to Organizational Behaviour. London: CIPD

13UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
Cottrell, Stella (2011). Critical Thinking Skills. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. viii.
Emmerling, R.J., Boyatzis, R.E. (2012). Emotional and social intelligence competencies: cross
cultural implications Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal 19:1
Fastcompany.com 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.fastcompany.com/3050123/8-ways-to-
improve-your-focus [Available on 20th March, 2019]
Gallagher, K. (2013). Skills Development for Business and Management Students (2nd ed)
Oxford: Oxford University Press
Gholipour, A., 2016. Human resource development by means of personal development plan in
project-based organizations. Journal of Public Administration, 8(1), pp.15-32.
King and Lawley 2016 Organisational Behaviour (2nd eds). London: Oxford University Press
(Main core)
Roldán-Merino, J., Roca-Capara, N., Miguel-Ruiz, D. and Rodrigo-Pedrosa, O., 2019.
Development and psychometric properties of the assessment questionnaire for the process of the
tutorial action plan. Nurse education today, 76, pp.109-117.
Stewart, J., 2016. Personal development plan. In Encyclopedia of Human Resource Management.
Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
Verywellmind.com 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/the-assertive-
communication-quiz-4008924?quizResult=15b76408 [Available on 20th March, 2019]
Williams, K. & Wooliams, M. (2012) Reflective writing. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

14UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS

15UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
Appendices
Appendix 1
123 Teams test
Source: 123test.com 2019. Retrieved from:
https://www.123test.com/team-roles-test/id=IPVMJSZOFGLE&version= [Available on 20th
March, 2019]
Appendix 2
How Assertive Are You?

16UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS
Source: Verywellmind.com 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/the-assertive-
communication-quiz-4008924?quizResult=15b76408 [Available on 20th March, 2019]