Understanding Self and Others: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Development

This study delves into the understanding of individual strengths and weaknesses, with a focus on the importance of written communication, time management, and teamwork. It explores how these skills impact daily work life and provides strategies for improvement through writing, team activities, and effective planning.

UNDERSTANDING SELF AND
OTHERS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This study includes the detail knowledge of strength and weakness of individual. It also
explains the strength of public speaking and its important in person’s life. Whereas by the written
communication, team working and time management shows the weakness of individual and how
these all things create negative impact on human daily work life. With the help of these study
person can identify their weak and strong and areas and can improve the by some writing the
blogs and articles, join team activity and pre-plan for managing time.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY................................................................................................1
SUMMARY AND ACTION PLAN................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................12

REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA 1
What is the core skill to develop?
Written communication: Written communication mean sending someone messages, guidance,
information, orders and something important by the using various ways like letters, reports,
memos, reports etc. It is a formal types of communication. It is appropriate for long distance
communication process.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant
theories and concepts to support your answer)
This skill also helps me for defining clear goals, for solving problems and solutions. A good and
smart written skill can improve my performance and work style. I can use this skill for influencing
people in my organization. It will also help me for improving my quality of work life.
Theory of communication: Shannon and Weaver theory of communication is a basic theory. This
theory is based on three main aspects i.e. sender, medium, receiver. In this sender is person who
spoke on phone he converts the code into understandable language, medium itself phone and the
receiver is a person who listen other side on phone and decode the message into his brain. By this
theory I can improve my written communication. I can use this theory for read, speak and write.
(Valkenburg, 2017).
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)
Self-assessment:I found some problems in written communication. Actually I do not explain exact
things and message by the written communication. Messages, written by me not clear to the
receivers, they always have some doubts in it.
Peers Feedback: My peer also analysed that my written communication has grammatical errors.
Peer also told me that I don't form sentences right. My written information are very difficult to
understand because they are unclear and irrelevant. So I tell my peer to help me for improving my
written communication by providing some writing sessions.
Tutor Feedback: My tutor also let me know about my written communication problem. He tells
me to work upon that and improve my grammatical problems. He also tells to more write and read
new books and articles for improving my written skills.

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 also feel that every one saying right things about my written communication problem. I also
examine myself, that I had done many problems at the time of forming sentences. I also agree with
my tutor and peers point of view, because they are my seniors and my mentors. They give me the
right knowledge about my bad communication style. They also have found various problems in my
communication, my messages are not that much clear and that things move to a serious problem in
the future. I really want to work upon this because in future it can be demotivate my morale in
company. For this I should start read business books, I can also take online test, I can consult with
my tutors and peers about my problem and by write, write and write (Kang,Gray and Dovidio,
2015).
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
Written communication is very import for my career. For expressing my ideas, thought's and
proposals to others it is very essential. When written communication become my strength it would
be helpful for generating valuable result. By this I can convey my messages and information to
others and also help me for influence others to considering good ideas that might be ignored.
Written communication can also assist me to inspire people for action. It is essential process in the
world of business, and also help me in the future for share important information with others.
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA 2
What is the core skill to develop?
Time Management: Time management is an ability of a person's to use time effectively. It is a
process of planning and effort self-conscious control of time spending on specific things and
activity specially for enhancing effectiveness, efficiency and productivity. Good time management
allow a person fulfil more things in short time period, which leads to more free time. Individual
can use that time for learning new things, chance and for reducing stress. Each benefits of good
time management improves other feature of individual life style (Ninomiya and 2018).

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 select the skill of time management, because good time management can help me to reduce
stress, it will also provide focus on my task. With the assistance of good time management, I can
also decrease deliberation and gain my self confidence. By the proper time management, I can
increase my productivity, work effectiveness and efficiency.
Theory of time management: Pickle Jar Theory is based on three major aspects i.e. Rock, Pebbles
and Task. This theory show how an individual manage their time and also complete their
important tasks.
Rock: The rock is first aspect of this theory. It represents the most important and big tasks of
individual daily life.
Pebble: Pebble is next aspect of this theory. It stands for jobs and tasks which are not that much
important or an average necessary for person.
Sands: This is the last aspect of theory. Sand contain all the less important task like managing
phones, massages, social media notifications and others break up component.
By using this theory I can easily know about my important and average task. This theory help me
for firstly work upon my important task which consume my more time and then focus upon
another task.
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)
Self-analysis: I synthesis that I am unpunctual person. I don't know how to manage time for my
all necessary task in my life. I'm always late for meetings, events and for office. Unpunctual
schedule of life affects all day, I always feel stress, I don't have time for learning new things and l
always feel pressurise.
Peer Feedback: My peer also examine that I am always late for work. He always tells me this
habit of mine reduce my productivity and performance in company. He gives me advice for wake
up early in morning and manage my day. Now I am trying to improving my work management
quality. I wake up early and also manage my all day task before going to bed.
Tutor Feedback: My tutor also tell me that my assignments are not complete on time, that
decrease my grade and performance in firm. He also tells me that my unpunctual behaviour makes

more work burden on me (Steinbeis, 2016). So, I work upon my writing skills for enhancing the
quality of my assignments.
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 am completely agree with each and everyone. I am the most unpunctual person in firm. I also
identify that some time I am late on work just because of my laziness. My peers and tutors both
have right opinion about my nature. They always tell me for managing time and be on time. They
motivate me for manage time, use alarm. They also tell me to set goals for each day and prioritize
them wisely. I also think that, I should follow the advices of my seniors and set a SMART goal for
my every day. I can also take help of time tracker like Tsheets mobile app and directly from my
desktop.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
Time management helps me for reducing my stress. I feel more free and that save time I can use
for learning new thing. Time management give me an opportunity for growth. It can also improve
my self confidence and I feel strong and motivated. A good time management gives me chance for
spending time with my friends and family.
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA 3
What is the core skill to develop?
Team work refers to the collaboration of ideas to work in a group to achieve a common task
in the unique way with less of efforts and stress. This concept is seen to achieve a greater
framework. Rather than individual they work as a team to achieve a common goal. Teamwork
is generally willingness of a group towards a common goal.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant
theories and concepts to support your answer)
This core skill is important because teamwork improves your skill and help us to develop as

individual.
I selected this skill because it helps us to grow and learn as an individual this skill helps in the
development of a person for a long term. This skill helps in all round development of a person
which helps in sustaining in a firm for a long term. Team work helps you to grow and help
your teammates to grow with you. Team working gives you a support of your fellow team-
mates, in any case you are wrong they provide a helping hand.
Tuckman's teamwork theory:
it consists of 4 phases: forming, storming, norming, performing
forming: forming a team is finding a right choice of individual for performing a task. Team
selection must be done wisely it must involve all the members which have skills towards the
completion of task. A team must consist of a good leader who can guide and boost workers to
achieve a common task. it must have every type of members which are required for the better
functioning of team. The team is selected including all the necessary members for the team.
(Goer and Elliott, 2019).
Storming: individual consider themselves as a part of the team, starts taking initiative in the
team building projects starts to involve with co-workers try to involve as a team. This process
helps building our team in effective way.
Norming : people of the team helps each other works towards a common goal tries to help
each other in their work, shares their ideas, works are assigned to the team members and they
show active response towards the work.
Performing: this is a final stage where people starts performing with a pace towards a
common goal. Delivering their ideas and implementing a plan in a group to achieve a common
goal. Team starts performing for one goal one objective.
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)
self-analysis: I as an individual see myself as a weak performer working in a team. As the
basic skills developed in me are weak which can ruin the performance of the team. I need to
focus on my basics to improve and deliver out best what my team needs from me. I must focus
on team building strategy and improvise. This can affect my career perspective and I need to

improve my team working strategies.
Feedback from peers: My peers thinks that my working in a team can hinder the performance
of the team which is a major setback for the firm. Peer thinks I need to work on my
performance and develop my skills to cope up with the competitive world and tries to be an
asset to the firm. Peer thinks I need to work on my skills to be in a team as I must not left
behind.
Feedback from tutor: My tutor thinks that I need to work on my team working skills and
improve as per my company norms. My way of working in a team must be changed as I am a
slow worker. I must develop my skills to grow and to upgrade as per requirements of the
company.
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 per above mentioned views and points I think that I am sustainable in the environment
which my peer thinks I am not able to take up my skills as of others but I think even though I
am weak I must be able to sustain which will help me to grow for future. my tutor thinks I will
need more time as my grasping skills are slow but I think opportunity will help me to grow
faster and develop.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
By improving on my skills I think I might be an asset to the firm which help me to grow in a
long term perspective. This will help me to grow socially and emotionally with my skills.
This will provide an all round development of myself as an individual and will help the firm to
grow. I can help my firm to grow and work with a long perspective. This will help us to be a
better leader of tomorrow. Team work will help them in evolving oneself with the future
perspective and to be a better leader of tomorrow.
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA 4

What is the core skill to develop?
Public speaking is an act or idea to deliver your views on the topic to the people. it helps to give us
an opinion on what we think. Public speaking can be done in front of large audience you never
know. Public speaking boosts up your self esteem and enhances your skills. Public speaking
improves your verbal and non-verbal skills, way to present yourself in front of others, helps to
communicate with others and polishing up with your skills.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant theories
and concepts to support your answer)
This skill is important as an individual to boost up your knowledge and help you to grow in that
skill. This skill helps you to gain your knowledge if you speak in front of audience you need to have
a complete knowledge about what you speak in-front of audience (Campbell and 2017).
I selected this skill because this skill helps you to develop as yourself with the knowledge and
removes out the anxiety from you. If you want to achieve higher position this ability is must
develop if you stand at a position public speaking gives positive impression on the viewers and
creates a good image on your identity.
Aristotle's Theory
This theory consists of four pillars mainly: speaker, speech, audience and response.
Speaker: Speaker must be confident with their speech what they need to deliver to the audience
they seek an opportunity to speak. Speaker must be confident and ready to deliver what audience
want. You as a speaker must be able to be consistent with your speaking skills and the relevant topic
must be appropriate.
Speech: The content must be appropriate and understandable to the audience, listeners must connect
to what you speak. Speech must be a give and take opportunity for the audience. Speech must be
very clear and approachable. The tone you speak must be approachable to others and must be catchy
or connect with the audience. (Lysaker and 2018).
Audience: Audience must be able to grasp what you speak. A good listener always motivates
speakers. Audience must find your content approachable. Audience must be aware with your topic
and must connect to speech.
Response: There must be a positive response from the listeners as responses helps you to grow as a
speaker. Response can be positive as well as negative. Positive response motivates you and negative
responses helps you to grow. Response are to learn and build yourself strong. A positive response

from speaker will encourage you to speak and motivate you.
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)
Self analysis: As for myself I feel that I am a good speaker. The qualities in me helps me to deliver
what a can. As a speaker I found myself as a good content creator which helps me to speak in front
of audience whether it is a talk show or a development program I find myself suitable to speak in
front of any audience. This can affect my career perspective and help to grow with a positive
approach in me (Crone and Fuligni, 2019).
Feedback from peers: my peers says that even though I have a qualitative skill I need to work on
my vocabulary and sentence formation. As a speaker I must focus on what I speak which more or
less reflects myself. As what I am what my capabilities are. I need to work on the way of
presentation. How I deliver speech the order of my speech is found irregular. I need to work on my
presentation skills.
Feedback from tutor: As my tutor thinks I need to work on the content of my speech and the way
I deliver the speech must be up to mark. As in what point I need to pinch this attracts the audience
towards your speech. My content should be according to the topic and proofread.
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?
In my contradictions I find myself confident for delivering the speech which my peers oppose
according to them my content is not clear and up to the topic but I find it very clears and appealing.
As my tutor says I must improve but I am capable to deliver a speech in front of public I have a
good sense of speaking in front of others, I am familiar with my skills and words which my peer
does not agrees. (Komives, 2016).
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
This skill will help me to be a better speaker in my future perspective. A better speaker can be a
better leader. If you have command on what you speak you can lead from the front and be a good
leader. To be a good leader you need to be a good speaker. If you have a complete idea of what is
working around you, you can be a leader.

SUMMARY AND ACTION PLAN
Strength:
Public speaking is my strength, by these I can easily convey my messages, ideas and opinion to
anyone. It's also boost up my confidence for facing new challenge in daily work. By the strong public
speaking I can lead my team effectively. I also have quality of be patient and calm, it will also help me
for understanding the new things and task. This thing also help me to better know better about my
colleagues opinions, their feelings and emotions (Winter, Bohus and Lis,2017).
Weaknesses:
Written communication is my weakness because it takes so much time for preparing the
message and information. I always make mistakes in my written messages which is related to
grammatical problems, and that's why some people unable to understand these. My written
communication is weak because it not shows my actual feelings. The another weakness of my is time
management. I am very unpunctual person and just because of that procrastinating has ever conflict for
me. Instead of doing little things I be given put things off and end up having to do everything at last
minute. It will affect my working conditions. Team work is my weaknesses, I will like to do work
alone and that's why I feel uncomfortable in team work. I feel hesitated in team and I am not able to
express my creativity, innovation and ideas in team. I feel pressure and stress on me when I'm
performing in team.
Personal development plan
Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely
Development
area- 1
To improve
written
communication
skill
I need to
improve on
my
communicati
on skills with
increasing my
vocabulary
and
grammatical
efficiency.
As this will
be beneficial
in my career
perspective,
to interact
different
people. At
different span
of time .
I can write
essays on a
particular topic
which will help
me to improve
on my
communication
skills.
This can be
achieved by
writing a
diary entry or
writing a
blog. Which
will enhance
our skills.
2 months
Development I need to Being I can make a This can be 1 month

area-2
To improve on
time
management
improve on
my time
management
skills by
assigning
time for the
task I need to
complete.
Make a time
management
plan and stick
to those
plans.
punctual
towards time
will help me
to achieve my
goals. It will
help me to be
less reliable
on others for
work.
daily plan of
the tasks which
I need to
achieve. Stick
with plan and
try to achieve
it (Link and
et.al., 2015).
achieved by
preparing
before time
for the things
I need to do
the next
particular
day.
Development
area-3
To improve
my team work
I need to
improve on
my team
work skills
which will
help me to
grow as
individual
and boost up
my team
performance.
Improving on
my personal
skills will
help me in
my career
perspective.
This will help
me to grow in
a team and
will help me
to hike my
performance.
To improve
my team work
skills, I need to
observe and
grasp the
positive affect
of other fellow
workers.
Which will
help me to
improve.
This can be
achieved by
participating
in the team
based work
which can be
a team sport
by which we
can learn
easily.
3 months

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Campbell, S. B and 2017. Developmental changes in empathic concern and self-understanding in
toddlers at genetic risk for autism spectrum disorder. Journal of autism and developmental
disorders. 47(9). pp.2690-2702.
Crone, E. A. and Fuligni, A. J., 2019. Self and Others in Adolescence. Annual review of
psychology. 71.
Goer, F. K. and Elliott, R., 2019. Understanding of Self and Others: Neurobiological Underpinnings of
Social Cognition. Cognitive Dimensions of Major Depressive Disorder. p.197.
Kang, Y., Gray, J. R. and Dovidio, J. F., 2015. The head and the heart: Effects of understanding and
experiencing lovingkindness on attitudes toward the self and others. Mindfulness. 6(5).
pp.1063-1070.
Komives, S. R., 2016. Leadership for a better world: Understanding the social change model of
leadership development. John Wiley & Sons.
Link, B. G and et.al., 2015. Understanding the importance of “symbolic interaction stigma”: How
expectations about the reactions of others adds to the burden of mental illness
stigma. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal. 38(2). p.117.
Lysaker, P. H and 2018. Understanding the course of self-disorders and alterations in self-experience
in schizophrenia: Implications from research on metacognition. Current Psychiatry
Reviews. 14(3). pp.160-170.
Ninomiya, T and 2018. Performance monitoring in the medial frontal cortex and related neural
networks: From monitoring self actions to understanding others’ actions. Neuroscience
research. 137. pp.1-10.
Steinbeis, N., 2016. The role of self–other distinction in understanding others' mental and emotional
states: neurocognitive mechanisms in children and adults. Philosophical Transactions of the
Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 371(1686). p.20150074.
Valkenburg, P. M., 2017. Understanding self-effects in social media. Human Communication
Research. 43(4). pp.477-490.
Winter, D., Bohus, M. and Lis, S., 2017. Understanding negative self-evaluations in borderline
personality disorder—A review of self-related cognitions, emotions, and motives. Current
psychiatry reports. 19(3). p.17.

APPENDIX
Written communication- Johari window
Available at: (https://kevan.org/johari.cgihttps://kevan.org/johari.cgi)
Vark- Time management
Available at: (http://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/?p=results)
Jung Test- Team working

Available at: (https://psychologia.co/jung-personality-types/https://psychologia.co/jung-personality-
types/)