Personal and Professional Development

This report discusses the importance of personal and professional development in the growth of an individual. It covers approaches to self managed learning, ways to encourage lifelong learning, benefits of self managed learning, evaluation of own skills and competencies, identification of development needs and opportunities, and personal and professional development plan.

Unit 13
Personal and Professional
development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1Approaches to self managed learning.....................................................................................3
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning can be encouraged..............................................................4
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning.........................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Evaluation of own skills and competencies against the standard objectives.........................5
2.2 Identification of own development needs..............................................................................5
2.3 Identification of development opportunities .........................................................................6
2.4 Personal and professional development plan.........................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Processes and activities required for implementation............................................................6
3.2 Undertaking and documenting the development activities....................................................7
3.3 Reflect on own learning against original aims.......................................................................7
3.4 Updation of the development plan.........................................................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
4.1 Solutions to work based problems.........................................................................................7
4.2 Communication in a variety of styles.....................................................................................8
4.3 Evaluation of time management strategies.............................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
The professional and personal development are considered as two main aspects of life
which helps the person in setting the goals, methods and the outcomes of the learning and
training process. The plans of each individual may vary from one another, but it leads to the
lifetime learning of an individual. The personal and professional development of a person is
essential because it helps in the inner development of a person and their profession as well. The
report is about understanding how important personal and professional development is in the
growth of an individual.
TASK 1
Approaches to self-managed learning
Self-managed learning can be considered as a process in which people can gain a huge
amount of information by using some means themselves. Self-managed learning can help in
enhancing the lifelong development of a person which can help the individual in professional
a well as in their personal life. These can be used for shaping culture, communication,
behavior as a person can learn a lot of things which can help in shaping their life in a very
positive direction. Some of the self-managed learning factors are discussed as following:
Social networks
There is a very wide range of social networking option by which people can interact with
each other and also, it can be used to gain information. Major part of the population spends
most of their time on these social networking websites such as face book, twitter. By these
means, they can interact with various people and along with it, they can also gain a he
amounts of information. So, social networking media can act as a very helpful and efficient
tool for gaining the information and with interacting with people as well.
Seminars and Conferences
One can participate in various seminars and conferences for gaining a good and quality
information. Many people feel shy in the starting but participating in such gives a lot more
confidence to the people. Seminars act as a very effective tool as it gives the person, an
opportunity in presenting their knowledge in front of people and it also helps in boosting the

confidence of the person. So, seminars and conferences are also a very effective tool for
gaining information and along with this, it also helps in presenting the person in front of a he
amounts of people, which further is useful for boosting the confidence of the person.
Internet
Another important and most common tool is internet which most of the generation is
using these days. The world has been indirectly got dependent on it because whether one can
see in terms of booking a flight or booking a cab, internet is required. Many people spend a
huge amount of time on internet such as on social networking sites, but people can also use it
for collecting the efficient data and information about specific facts. It is a very well-known
tool and all the information is present in it. One can search anything on the internet and the
person can have various links as well for gaining as well as for increasing the knowledge.
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning can be encouraged
There can be various ways by which people can stay engaged in the lifelong learning. It
can be classified by using the SWOT analysis here and it is discussed as under:
Through an evaluation of the strengths and weakness, one can evaluate the
personal strengths. This can also make the person able to use professional learning tools
and continuous learning as well. Self-reflective learning helps in maintaining the learning
of new information and skills and in the workplace, it can be done by doing the roles and
responsibilities more effectively. It is because after learning something by some specific
mean, it is very important to practice it themselves because if it will be done in routine,
then the person can increase their self-managed learning skills, but if it is not, then in that
case, the person will forget doing all these activities because continuity is must, whether
it will be any work, but continuity is must to keep the whole practice maintained. The
workplace wants the employees to have proper time skills, leadership skills and
communication skills as well. Communication skills is also very must because in a
workplace, it is very important to interact with each other and also, the person should be a
good listener because no one wants to have a talk with someone who does not listens and
keeps speaking. So, managing proper communication skills is very important in person as
well as in professional development.

1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning
Self-managed learning has enormous benefits as hen the person will be able to participate
in seminars and conferences, they will help in giving the person an opportunity to present
their own selves in front of people which will give him enough confidence. In the
starting, the person may feel shy but after a few times, the person feels confident enough
in speaking in front of others. So, self-managed learning skills can help in gaining a huge
amount of confidence which can last for the lifelong of the person. Also, when the person
is confident enough, it acts as a tool for motivation as well. It helps in keeping the person
motivated towards life and by this way, the person can achieve various targets and goals
in their life and that too at a very faster rate. The process of self-managed learning also
helps in improving the decision making process as the person starts taking their own
decisions, rather than staying dependent on others, so self-managed learning can also help
in increasing the thinking of making better and efficient decisions. Along with these, self-
managed learning also helps in a faster collaboration, it may be within the family and
friends or may be outside as well. So, it can help in collaboration.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of own skills and competencies against the standard objectives
There can be various ways by which a person can evaluate their own skills against the
professional ones. While working in a company, a person can be able to understand the
difference between them and the other professionals working there. It may be regarding
communication skills or the leadership skills or any such other skills that are required and are
essential to work in a company. The person should have efficient leadership skills because a
good leader can control any situation whether it may be much complex and complicated also. A
good leader should understand what employees want from the organization. It is not just
following the instructions of the leader, but the leader must ensure that all the activities and
processes are being done in a very efficient manner so that the employees also consider that there
is someone who is keeping an eye on them. By this way, the employees can stay focused towards
the work. Along with it, it is very important to provide employees some sort of incentives and
increments on a regular basis because by these ways, they also consider that they are important
for the company and this helps in motivating them and staying more focused towards the work.
But a leader that has not such efficient skills may not be able to manage the complexities of the
employees and organization. So, these factors can make a difference.

Strengths Weaknesses
 My biggest strength is that I am risk
taker and hard working.
 I am having strong research skills
which help in improving the chances of
attaining positive results.
 My another strength is I am easily cope
up with my team members and also
able in establishing positive work
environment.
 I am also able in accepting all the
changes that arise at workplace.
 I have less effective technical skills as I
am less confident at the time of
operating technologies.
 I am less confident at the time of
communicating with my team
members.
Opportunities Threats
 I easily improve my communication
skills by interacting with my team
members as per continuous basis.
 By taking feedback from tea workers I
am easily improve my learning skills at
workplace.
 I am less flexible in nature which is a
big threat for me at the time of
performing my job responsibilities.
CV:
Curriculum Vitae
Name:
Address:
Contact No.:
Email address:
Carrier Objective: To make their career successful in reputed organization where I show my
skills and also tries to improve them by learning in company. I can make an better contribution
in HRM in attaining growth.

Academic Qualification:
 Masters in Management
 Graduate from Business administration
Experience:
Two year of experience in HR field as a HR manager in UK company.
Personal skills:
 Self motivated and quick learner.
 Good communication skills.
 Ability to accept changes at workplace.
 Ability to resolving issues and skills in complex situation.
Declaration:
I here by declare that all the information given in above is correct and reliable and
issues by reputed and recognized university.
2.2 Identification of own development needs
It is very important that the person must be knowing where they lack, means in
which part, they need some improvisation. It is because when the person must be
knowing where they are lacking, they can keep their focus on it only. Practicing on the
previous skills is better but it is also important to involve some in which the person is
lacking, and for that person should be able to make an analysis so that they can stay clear
with what skills they have and what not. The skills in which they lack, for them they can
involve some methods in their life by which they can learn them as well. Such as if the
person knows that they lack somewhere in the communication skills, for that the person
can join any personal development classes where they will guide the person about
development as well as help them in improving the communication skills. The person can
also participate in various seminars and conferences which will help in boosting their
confidence to speak in front of people. So, this factor can be used for identification of

own needs and this can help the person in understanding the importance of those factors
in which they lack.
2.3 Identification of development opportunities
The development opportunities can be classified by evaluating the current and future
needs and it is represented as under:
Current needs
This covers the fact that the person knows in which they are perfect and are confident as
well but along with it, they also know that they have to develop their skills in various
other activities such as strategic planning, participative management etc. For that the
person needs to make use of some opportunities which can help the person in
understanding these factors.
Future needs
There are various opportunities in life which can help in developing a personal attitude
towards things. Every opportunity helps the person in such a way that the person can be
able to achieve targets at faster rates. For this, the person needs to re innovate the skills
and also, increase the level of thinking as well regarding the personal as well as
professional life
2.4 Personal and professional development plan
For becoming successful in life, people must ensure a proper plan which they can follow
in achieving all the opportunities and factors. Although self-monitoring can help but a proper
personal and professional plan can help in making the person efficient enough about choosing
the decisions they have to so that they can be able to achieve the targets at faster rates. Time
framing is also a very important concept because by this way, one can set deadlines for
completing the specific work in a specific deadline. This will help in achieving the targets at
more faster rates. Along with these activities, the person can also join various activities in which
the person thinks that they lack in it such as for developing the leadership skills, the person can
read various books on leadership to get the self-motivation. By going through these books, the
person can be able to be aware of some strategies that can be used by them in making of an
efficient leader. After analyzing thee skills, the person can also use that skills in the work place
and after a few times, the person will be capable enough to be an efficient leader.

S. No Learning
objectives and
goals
Current
Proficiency
Target
Proficiency
Development
Opportunities
Time Scale
1 Communication
skills
3 5 I needs to improve
my communication
skills because it will
help me in attaining
appropriate results.
It is important
opportunity for me
to reduce my
hesitation and fear
to communicate
with others.
3 Months
2 Leadership skills 4 5 As a leader it is
important to be a
good leader to
provide better
guidance to their
staff members to
attain appropriate
results. As it is
important for me
because I have to
lead and guide team
members in
appropriate way
which help them in
attaining setting
goals and
objectives.
1.5 Months
3 Problem solving
skills
3 5 It is important
development
opportunity for me
to manage and
reduce the conflicts
at workplace that
2 Months

faced by the
workers within the
company.
4 Technological skills 4 5 Technology is
important for
developing entire
process of the
company to attain
predetermined goals
and objectives.
Thus, it is important
for me to
understand how to
handle the
technologies to
attain growth at
workplace.
3 Months
TASK 3
3.1 Processes and activities required for implementation
There can be various activities that the person can go for the implementation of all the
activities in which they lack in. Such as in case the person lacks in communication skills, then in
that case, the person can join various seminars and conferences so that it can help in boosting the
confidence of the person. In the starting phases, the person may feel shy but after participating in
various seminars, the person will be capable enough to speak in front of others without any
hesitation. So, these processes can be done in order to implement the planned activities. As there
are some various activities which implement in development plan. These can be understood by
following points:
Aligning training plan with business strategy: It is important for manager to align with
organizational strategy and training plan. As it help in effectively train their staff members with
the aim of attaining set goals and objectives in appropriate time frame.
Highlighting certain skills gaps: For improving workers skills, manager of the company
is responsible for evaluating the skill gaps in order to provide better training and development
programs. With the help of this manager can easily implement the development plan at
workplace and also improve he performance level of the workers.

3.2 Undertaking and documenting the development activities
For a proper undertaking, there are various activities that the person can do. Some
key factors are required for preparing the documentation such as collection of the initial
thoughts and information regarding the specific skill and then documenting it. It may
also include meeting notes and decisions also which are also noted down in the
document. Then after the whole involvement of the processes in the document, the person
can take a review of the whole document and check for anything that is lacking in the
document. If anything is lacking, then the person can make modifications to that
document and after that, can again make a check of all the processes and procedures of
the documentation.
3.3 Reflect on own learning against original aims
It may include initial meeting preparation as it is very important in every level of
learning and implementing new skills that can help in the lifelong development. It helps
in balancing the expectations among the team members as well. To know the proper level
of anticipation is also must. If I will be having previous knowledge about the skills and
factors, the process of developing and implementing new will become easier.
3.4 Updating of the development plan
After the updating of the plan, the person was able to become able of the communication
skills but still if they lack in leadership skills, then in that case, the person can take some more
time in the development of the leadership skills that can help in a more effective development.
For this the person may have to put some more time in the development of the leadership skills
such as for about 1-2 months more for a proper development of these skills. Then, the person can
be able to learn proper skills which will help in developing the personal and professional
development.
Learning
Needs
Priority Activities to be
Undertaken
Resources
Required
Target
deadline
Proof of
Achievement
Leadership
skills
High By influencing
team members
to perform
allotted task in
a group with
the aim of
Video, team
management
01/11/18 Attaining
positive team
goals.

attaining
positive
outcomes.
Communicati
on skills
High By taking
participation
in various
seminars,
group
discussion.
Seminars,
meetings and
many more.
15/11/18 Positive
outcome of the
task and
groups
discussion
TASK 4
4.1 Solutions to work based problems
There are a few steps that can act as problem solving ones and these are discussed as
under:
Identification of the issues
It is very important that the issues are clarified first because on the basis of that only,
proper solutions can be taken out of the same. One should stay clear of the issue that what is the
actual problem and what are the causes of that problem. If the issues are known before, then the
company can work in keeping those factor in mind so that they cannot involve any of such
factor.
Understanding everyone's interest
While working in an organization, it is important to get an overview of everyone's
interest because it helps in a better analysis as well. One should understand that everyone has
their own interest. So, they can be applied as well, and it also can be beneficial for the company.
Listing the possible solutions
It is another important factor that a company can do. It is because if all the possible
solutions to the issues will be prepared, so at the time of occurrence of the issues, the company
do not have to waste their time in making solutions and they can make use of these solutions.

4.2 Communication in a variety of styles
At various levels, the employees and the members can communicate in a variety of styles
which are discussed as under:
Assertive style
Assertive style is associated with the high self-esteem. It is considered as the healthiest
and one of the most effective style that a company can use and it can further help in getting
efficient results.
Aggressive style
This style is considered about the winning. The behavioral characteristics of this person
involves threatening, frightening and is loud as well. So, all these characteristics can come in
aggressive style.
Submissive style
This style focuses on pleasing other people so that they can avoid conflicts. This is
considered as even a better style because it focuses on avoiding the conflicts.
4.3 Evaluation of time management strategies
The effectiveness of time management strategies is that using these strategies can help in
running the whole process more smoothly and efficiently. Also, by using these strategies, it can
help in doing a pre-planning that can further help in completing the work efficiently and within
the deadline as well. So, the time management strategies have their own effectiveness and can
help the organization in achieving targets.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the report that the person requires various skills or the personal
and professional development. A proper development plan can be prepared which as well will be
requiring proper plans and activities that needs to be improvised, whether it can be done by any
means by joining some sessions or participating in some activities. So, it can help the person in a
lifelong personal and professional development.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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regulated learning: A natural formula for connecting formal and informal learning. The
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Lester, S. and Costley, C., 2010. Work‐based learning at higher education level: Value, practice
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Gibson, D. M., Dollarhide, C. T. and Moss, J. M., 2010. Professional identity development: A
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Pedler, M., Burgoyne, J. and Boydell, T., 2013. A Manager's Guide to Self-development.
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