Developing Essential Skills for Effective Communication

This assignment provides a comprehensive analysis of key skills required for effective communication, leadership, teamwork, and time management. It highlights the significance of these skills in various aspects of life, including career development, job satisfaction, and social relationships. The assignment also emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, self-perception, and identity negotiation in achieving success. By mastering these essential skills, individuals can enhance their productivity, motivation, and overall well-being.

UNDERSTANDING
SELF AND OTHERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Reflective Personal Development Plan ...........................................................................................1
Analysis ...........................................................................................................................................6
Action Plan.......................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

Reflective Personal Development Plan
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA
What is the core skill?
Communication skills are ranked among the most important skills an individual must
possess. Communication is a process in which information is transferred from one person
to another through any medium whether written, oral, or through books, magazines, mails,
maps, charts, using body gestures, and tone of voice (Ting‐Toomey, 2017).
Communication skills are measured using how well the message has been transferred,
received and measured. A good communication skill sense to actions and gestures.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant
theories and concepts to support your answer)
Communication skills are important for every field. At the time of application of job,
transfer of message to any employer in office, to perform your job well, to give instructions
and to advance in your career. This skill helps in excellence in one's social and professional
life (Hassenzahl, 2018.). These skills are heart of every organization. Communication skills
include ability to listen carefully and speak clearly. Our body also communicate, the way
we roll our eyes, our postures and gestures, all expresses what is going in our mind. A
message which is wrongly delivered may result in disruption, misunderstanding and may
cause frustration.
I selected this skill because effective communication skills are important for delivering and
receiving messages quickly and correctly. It is all what an employer want from its
employee. A manager is going to hire only those people who have good communicating
and listening skills.
Reflect on your current competent 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 behaviors to answer this
question)
There is lot an individual need for effective communication skills. From my assessment, I
think I don't have good communication skills. Though I can speak in front of people and
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deliver information. Because I am from different town, my speaking tone and pitch are
quite different.
But my peers say, that I am not clear about what I want to say. I start talking about
something else from topic during presentation in office and can't keep my point in short
and precise way. They say I have ability to speak but not have ability to deliver clear-cut
message.
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?
As some of my peers told me that I don't have good communication skills, so I further did
an analysis to find out whether I really possess communication skills or not. I think I have
abilities to talk to people and deliver my message. I have power to express my thoughts. It
is just that I will have to practice more to bring fluency in tone and pitch and be clear while
delivering my message.
How will this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
To become a good communicator, I will have to learn things and practice improving my
pitch of tone and proper pronunciation so that I can become a good speaker among my
employees during presentation or writing and motivate them towards the goal of
organization.
What is the core skill?
The most important skill that a person require is leadership skills (Wagner, 2016).
Leadership implies that the person has a clear vision, have ability to communicate that
vision to others, have power to inspire his subordinates and make use of resources
effectively and efficiently. The power of influencing its subordinates is the most important
skill that a leader should have.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant
theories and concepts to support your answer)
Leadership qualities are important for a manager so that he can adapt changing
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environment quickly and fight challenges and circumstances in correct way. A leader is one
who see the future and turns ideas into real life. A leader is a person who communicates his
message clearly, have organizational skills, who is confident and have certain abilities and
skills to attract his team. He is the one who respects all his fellows and listen to their ideas
and views while taking decisions. Most importantly he is a person who influence others and
involves everyone in decision making process.
I choose this skill because a leader helps in providing direction, he encourages creativity.
He ensures that people are highly motivated at work to improve productivity. This quality
helps in building trust and confidence among the employees. They also help in solving
disputes like an arbitrator or conciliator.
Reflect on your current competent 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 behaviors to answer this
question)
According to self-assessment, I think leadership quality is one of my weakness because I
usually don't have ability and skills to guide my employee towards goals of organization. I
don't possess good and effective communication skills which a leader requires. My
communication often leads to misunderstanding and disturbance.
As per my peers, I am biased and selfish. I like to complete my work on time to take all the
credit for work and then disturb and distract others who are engaged in work so that they
cannot finish their work on time.
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?
I don't deny with above analysis. Some people say that I have leadership skill. But with my
self-assessments and peer’s evaluation I have concluded that I do not have any leadership
quality in me. I cannot become a leader and guide people for accomplishment of
organizational vision and goals. And if ever I am at a position of leader I will not be able
to influence my peers and motivate them towards organizational goal like a leader. Even a
leader has to be confident and this is where I lack the most.
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How will this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
To become a good leader, I need to learn how to communicate with others, be confident,
ways to install confidence in others, and manage and adapt changing environment. A leader
should be flexible to adapt changes.
What is the core skill?
Another core skill required is team work skills which means potential of an individual to
work in a group of people to achieve goal and objective in the best way possible. In a team,
it is important to listen to everyone, and take each and everyone's views and opinions. A
team becomes successful when skills and abilities of all are combined together for
achievement of organizational goal (Farh, Seo and Tesluk, 2012). If you have good skills
then you will probably make a good team.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant
theories and concepts to support your answer)
It is important to have teamwork skills to work well with your team. A person and his team
will succeed if all of them work towards one goal of accomplishment of work (Evans
2013). Employees are required to possess this skill as there are many tasks in which they
are required to work in as a team to complete the projects.
I prefer to reflect on this skill because helps to boost confidence and open opportunities to
move ahead in career. It brings closeness among employees of organization. It will help to
achieve goals and objectives properly and more quickly. It helps to improve
communication skills too.
Reflect on your current competent 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 behaviors to answer this
question)
I think working as a team is one of my strength as I have positive attitude while working on
any project. I always support my team members if they are stuck at some point. I
communicate my opinion and views whenever I am working as a team. I also own a good
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listening skill which is an important factor while working in a team.
My peers also think that I can work well when clubbed into a team. I always listen to others
and support their ideas. I always share my problems in the project and ask for solutions or
suggestions from my team members. I always work as 'we'. I am very cooperative.
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?
I don't have contradiction from above analysis as when compared with suggestion of peers
and self-assessment it can be concluded that I possess a good team work skills and can
work effectively and confidently when clubbed in a team.
How will this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
Teamwork skills are very important as they help in meeting the goals in short time and
utilization of resources. It helps in solving problems and taking decisions. It brings
openness and builds confidence and also improves communication skills of an individual. It
also teaches us how to respect each other while working in a team.
What is the core skill?
The core skill of negotiation is also important. Negotiation can be defined as process of
solving dispute and arguments by reaching to compromise and arrangements. Parties solve
their differences which exist between them by taking proper decision (Černe and et.al,
2014). A negotiator requires proper interpersonal and communication skills to solve any
dispute and come to a conclusion. A negotiation is successful when both the parties agrees
on to one point.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant
theories and concepts to support your answer)
Negotiation is an important core skill in the organization because there are different type of
people working under a roof who come from different society, religion and class.
Negotiator must have good communication and listening skills, take decision in fair
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manner, proper time management, patience and highly cooperative.
I selected this skill because it may help to bring a salary increase and also build higher
position in company. Negotiation skills builds confidence so that I can easily enter into
conflicts and solve it. It also builds respect in the organization.
Reflect on your current competent 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 behaviors to answer this
question)
I think negotiation is my weakness because I can't take decisions in favor of somebody.
My decision would not be beneficial for all the employees as I lack power to come to
conclusions. I have to force people to listen to me and do what I want.
My peers evaluate me as a person who is always lost and nervous. I am very shy and does
not open to new ideas. I have an attitude of arguing with others and I have all the opposite
skills of a negotiator.
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?
Some of my friends told me that I have negotiation skills but after evaluating myself I
found that I don't have such skills of solving disputes. I am not cooperative which makes it
uneasy to meet awkward moments at the time of negotiation. I may become frustrated
when asked to solve the problems.
How will this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
Negotiation skill will help me solve disputes in my organization, in building leadership
skills, it will also improve my negotiation skills and develop the ability to solve conflicts
and find solution.
ANALYSIS
Analysis of personality is one of the most difficult and challenging tasks. Self-assessment
is necessary to be performed by a person in his lifetime to find out what he is good at and what
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he is bad, his strengths and weakness, how to overcome those weaknesses etc. To become a good
leader, self-management is very necessary to find out abilities required to become a good leader.
From my analysis I have found out that I lack negotiation skills and a good leadership
skill. Though I possess good communication skills and I can perform very well when it comes to
team work. I am quite aware of my weakness and strength and I will try to build good leadership
and will improve my communication skills. I will also try to develop new ideas and innovation in
my work.
ACTION PLAN
Type of skill Why these skills are
required
How can these skills
can be developed
Time required to
adopt skills
Negotiation skills To solve conflicts and
disputes
By improving skills
and abilities to speak
confidently, having
strong power to take
decisions.
Within a month
Communication skills A good
communication skill
will make the message
clear and it can be
received and delivered
easily.
By communicating
with new people,
developing listening
skills.
Can develop whenever
one wishes.
No time limit
Leadership skills Can keep record of all
the work going in
organizations, helps to
motivate employees,
proper and timely use
of resources. Provides
direction.
By building solid
teams, taking part in
programs, be
passionate what is
your mission and
vision, taking
coaching from various
institutes
15-30 days
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Team work skills Can communicate
your message to group
By finding roles and
responsibilities,
joining teams and
various programs
organized, indulging
in group discussions
A month
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Černe, M. and et.al., 2014. Congruence of leader self-perceptions and follower perceptions of
authentic leadership: Understanding what authentic leadership is and how it enhances
employees’ job satisfaction. Australian journal of management. 39(3). pp.453-471.
Evans, K., 2013. Negotiating the self: Identity, sexuality, and emotion in learning to teach.
Routledge.
Farh, C.I., Seo, M.G. and Tesluk, P.E., 2012. Emotional intelligence, teamwork effectiveness,
and job performance: The moderating role of job context. Journal of Applied Psychology.
97(4). pp.890.
Hassenzahl, M., 2018. The thing and I: understanding the relationship between user and product.
In Funology 2 (pp. 301-313). Springer, Cham.
Nancarrow, S.A. and et.al., 2013. Ten principles of good interdisciplinary team work. Human
resources for Health. 11(1). pp.19.
Ting‐Toomey, S., 2017. Identity negotiation theory. The International Encyclopedia of
Intercultural Communication. pp.1-6.
Wagner, W.E., 2016. Leadership for a better world: Understanding the social change model of
leadership development. John Wiley & Sons.
Online
Thompson, J., 2015, “The 5 Core Skills of Hostage Negotiators”. [Online]. Available
through :<https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/beyond-words/201510/the-5-core-
skills-hostage-negotiators>
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