Arden University HRM4001: Personal and Management Skills Portfolio

This portfolio reflects on personal leadership and management skills using models like Gibbs' Reflective Cycle and Driscoll's Model. It identifies strengths in communication, creativity, strategic thinking, and problem-solving, while acknowledging weaknesses in team development, ICT, motivation, time management, and adaptability. A personal development plan (PDP) is proposed to address these weaknesses through team development models, training, case studies, planning, and change acceptance. The portfolio also explains the application of transferable skills, such as supportive communication (using the Two-Step Flow model) and motivation, within a company like TESCO, emphasizing their role in building strong workforces and retaining skilled employees.

DEVELOPING PERSONAL
AND MANAGEMNT
SKILLS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK...............................................................................................................................................3
1- Reflection on own leadership and management skills using range of models and develop
personal development plan..........................................................................................................3
2- Explaining transferable skills utilizing relevant theory and apply them to a company..........8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Skill development is one of the best decisions that has been taken by individuals, which
drives their attention toward following strategic procedure, that encompasses different activities.
By developing personal & management skills, individual person gets the desire outcomes as they
achieve short, medium and long term goals. It helps them to grow and succeed in the field of
business, which is quite essential for them to do so. The current assignment will be based on
reflective statement as it highlights own management & leadership skills using strategic models.
It will define personal development plan, and appropriate theory implication in the context of
transferable competencies.
TASK
1- Reflection on own leadership and management skills using range of models and develop
personal development plan
Leadership is defined as set of competencies, abilities and strategies that a leader put in the
right place, just to obtain desire outcomes, for which they may work smartly and creatively
(Rudolph and et.al., 2021). While, management term refers to procedure of planning and
managing useful resources and an essential assets of companies. In the world, there different
types of models available that has been utilized by individuals, in order to reflect about
themselves as strengths that they have and some weaknesses, which lead to decrease their
effectiveness (Ingham-Broomfield, 2021). Like them, I also want to utilize a specify reflective
model and that is Gibbs reflective cycle, which enable me to highlight my leadership and
management skills in prescribe manner. It is one of those concepts that encompasses six different
forms of stages that allow user to explore an experience and describe the same in appropriate
manner. As by using this model I want to reflect on some of my strengths in term of managerial
& leadership skills as well as weaknesses related to same concepts.
I want to describe those factors that make me capable to obtain desire outcomes and
achieve short and medium term goals. These forces are considered as my strengths as I had better
communication skill, which has been founded in many people, but still they do not have
appropriate understanding about how to use the same, when and where. I am not among one of
these individuals as I am able to communicate with others in appropriate and respectful manner,
which is important for anyone to do that as it affect their image and personality. Just because of

having this skill I builds trustworthy and long term relation with others, whether they are my
friends or relatives. Another competence that falls under the category of leadership skill is
creativity or creativeness that I had and utilize the same in multiple period. I am a creative
person as I am always curious to know and understand new things that drive my attention toward
innovating something unique and useful. Along with these two skills, I have more such as good
decision-making that help to reach desire results and provide better direction to themselves as
well as other individuals.
With leadership, I also had some management competencies as well like strategic
thinking and problem solving. Both skills play crucial role in my growth and success, either
related to personal or professional. With strategic thinking skill I felt more confidence and
productive, while with problem solving competence I can solve the issues that affect others
performance.
Including all above strengths, I have some weaknesses that put negative impact on my
productiveness and creativity as well as performance level. As I do not pose team development,
ICT, motivation, time management, and adaptability skills, which falls under the list of
management & leadership. I want to overcome each weakness in appropriate manner, because of
varied reasons, especially to grow professionally and personally.
With some strengths, individual person feels confident and effective to accomplish
certain task or activities that in turn provide expected outcomes to them (Siepel, Camerani and
Masucci, 2021). Just because of having above stated skills I felt effective and assertive, as
utilization of each skill enable me to take pleasure of achieving strategic aims and objectives,
whether it is short, medium or long term. By communication with other people’s, I had obtained
more knowledge about varied things that I will utilize further. However, on the same time I felt
afraid because of not having few management and leadership skills that create barriers or
challenges in my career progress, which I have to overcome or mitigate. Without having some
competencies and abilities I am afraid of taking some challenges or risks, as the overall process
required excellent performance, that is possible when I have set of competencies. My feeling
might be changed after implementation of appropriate method and development of each skill in
systematic manner.
It can be evaluated that usage of skills play significant role in the context of individual’s
career development. Without having and using essential competencies, no one can grow in their

life as they face tough time and because of this reason many people get demotivated as they lose
hope, which put adverse impact on their mental as well as physical health. I am also feeling the
same, as I tend to become effective leader, but due to lack of some leadership skills I found
myself a weaker candidate, who can work by playing this role and providing multiple benefits to
other. Along with overall examination and evaluation, I also examined some positive thing,
related to leadership & management terms. As I get easily communicate with peoples and
actively listen what they said, which is one of the best qualities of a leader. It is a positive sign
that make me happy. Another thing that I also evaluated about myself is creative and useful ideas
that I provide to others and work appropriately.
By referring to Gibbs reflective model, I undertaken analysis section that enable me to
specify some key aspect relating to leadership & management skills that I had and take benefit of
these, which contribute to enhance my performance and productivity level, even better than last
few years, months or days. I realised that ICT, team formation, motivation and other managerial
and leadership skills are must, because it allows individual person to take risk and overcome the
situation while performing a role of leader or a manager in reputed company, where I will obtain
career growth opportunities in bulk.
The overall reflective statement defines importance of developing certain skills, along
with having existing competencies. Conclusion is the last second stage of chosen model which is
undertaken on the basis of analysing need for some leadership and management skills. There are
several methods exist in the world that I chose to develop or improve essential areas. Among
existing approaches, I had chosen personal development plan that is the best approach and used
by millions of users. By using this method, I will take benefit of increasing level of effective
management and leadership.
Another model that I use and take into my consideration for purpose of reflective
statement that stated my own leadership & management skills as well as weaknesses is Driscoll
Model of reflection (John Driscoll Model of Reflection, 2022). This model revolved around
three types of questions what, so what and now what. I had undertaken the first question or
element of this model that drive my attention toward providing appropriate description about
event, when I feel I had some leadership skills like, communication, decision-making, problem
solving, etc. As I get chance to lead a team of fewer members in academic duration, where I

experienced all these capabilities. Along with that at the same situation I realized that I had some
managerial skills as well, like strategic thing & problem solving.
During this situation I analysed that just because of not having ICT and other skills I felt
less confidence and then take decision to develop each skill in appropriate ways (Mulryan-Kyne,
2021). It makes me unable to become an expert or experience holder who can achieve any aim
and accomplish task that in turn provide unpredictable outcomes to me. Now after realization of
varied skills requirement I had taken action to develop a personal development plan.
PDP-
Development areas (skills) Approaches that I will used
to improve or develop areas.
Time-frame
Team development I want to develop current skill,
because it helps to increase
extent of effective leadership
& management competency
that aid to reach desire
outcomes and also enable to
set strategic long term goals.
In the context of team
development, I will take
initiative to consider and
follow team development
models. It can be said that
each of model covers different
elements and stages that
define ways to form a team or
group of people.
2 Months
ICT Another skill that I develop to
increase level of effective
management & leadership is
Information communication
technologies, with the help of
6 Months

current personal development
plan. I prefer to use the best
technique and that is training
& development.
Motivation Along with above two, I also
want to develop current skill
as well, that in turn provide
similar outcome to me. In
order to develop motivation
competence, I had taken
initiative to collect
information from experience
holder and read previous case
studies. Experts are able to
provide better directions and
suggestions that I will take
into my consideration to
motivate people and boost
their confidence level, when I
will work in specific
designation in an organization.
3 Months
Time management The most effective approach
to develop time management
skill is planning and
scheduling that enable me to
manage my work further and
conduct other activities as well
related to personal life.
1 Month
Adaptability It is also important for me to
develop this skill as well, like
the others, for which strategic
2 months

method or process implication
is essential. I will take benefit
of accepting change
requirement in the workplace
that make myself
comprehensive about
adaptability or acceptance of
any uncertain things.
2- Explaining transferable skills utilizing relevant theory and apply them to a company
Supportive communication-
It is one of those transferable competencies that individual person in the TESCO may
utilize and implement in effective manner, by follow the elements of specific theory that help to
communication easier in the workplace and supportive as well. Two step flow is the best model
that employee, or leader may take into their consideration for purpose of making communication
process supportive in each and every aspect. According to the theory, individual may conduct
two approaches to make communication better. As they may take step to get leader opinion and
then others, in the context of solving any issue (Two-Step Flow of Communication, 2022). It may
help to obtain better outcomes and allow to solve any problem effectively, which is quite
essential and beneficial for them to do so. Supportive communication is defined as those skills
that drive the attention of a person toward conducting verbal and non-verbal activities that aid to
interact with others and share creative ideas as well. With this competence individuals, either a
leader or an employee may build trustworthy relation in the supermarket that help to retain
potential customers and enhance their satisfactory level. in case of any situation, according to the
chosen communication model, when employees take exert opinion and listen each suggestion
appropriately, they may achieve set aims and objectives. Along with these benefits, the
implementation of supportive communication skills plays significant role to retain skilled people
in the work area as they feel happy to work in stress free environment.
Motivation-
There are different types of transferable skills utilized and developed in the corporate
world by the employees or other people’s, just to reach desire result and achieve strategic goals

(Gódány and et.al., 2021). Motivation skill is one of these competencies that enable a leader or
manager to build wide and strong workforce, among which skilled and talented people may work
in term of conducting collaborative practices. In regard to current skill, they may take approach
to utilize the best strategies and activities, by following Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. This
concept may enable individuals to achieve key objectives. According to the theory, leader may
utilize their skill in term of fulfilling different needs of candidates whether it is safety, love &
belonging, esteem or physiological. Each type of need may contribute to boost employee’s
morale and give leader power to retain them forever, which is quite essential and beneficial for
them to do so. (Nugraha, Sitiari and Yasa, 2021) The chosen model encompasses five key stages,
and each stage consideration may enable management to motivate people and utilize their
competency in effective manner, that is essential for them to do in appropriate way. They may
fulfil the basic need of individual candidate that help to enhance their performance because
motivation skill usage in turn provide positive outcomes like current one (Sharma, Narasimha
and Singh, 2022). Along with other skills, management may implement the same competence in
the TESCO that aid to change the behaviour of individuals and make them effective as well as
productive that is important for organizational as well as their professional growth.
Empowerment-
This skill is also included in list of transferable skills that play important role in the
context of growth and success of individual career, for which they work harder and effort too
much to grow. It encompasses varied terms such as effective communication, manipulative,
artistic and intellectual. Kanter’s theory of empowerment is suitable in regard to current skill, as
it may include an essential discussion of company behaviour and empowerment. Management
may take initiative to implement this skill in appropriate way in term of promoting empowerment
in the workplace which in return provide candidates with access of resources, growth
opportunities, information and influencing support that enable them to grow and develop
themselves successfully. It can be said that by providing fair growth chances to employees,
management may retain people and give them reason to become a productive as well as loyal
candidates of TESCO, who may always contribute to achieve competitive benefit (Benefits of
Empowerment, 2020). There are different types forms related to employment skill accessible in
the world, such as psychological empowerment that covers feeling of competency, job
meaningfulness, autonomy and capability to influence organizational progress, in positive

manner. The implementation of skill in the work area with consideration of chosen theory may
enable administration to provide new growth chances to each team member or employees that
help to develop as well as stretch beyond their existing effectiveness and acquire new
competencies that help to succeed in career, whether it is professional or personal.
Conflict management-
Each skill that implement in the TESCO may allow management to take pleasure of
increasing profitability, performance and productivity level of venture. Like other skills, the
implementation of conflict management skill help organization to find middle way or alternative
solution regarding major issues that affect negatively upon its success in the retail industry.
Thomas Kilmann model of conflict resolution enable manager and leader in the supermarket to
implement this skill as this concept is based on two dimensions such as empathy & assertiveness.
It may drive the attention and concentration of individual expert toward adopting some strategies
that help to use and apply conflict management skill (GaneshKumar, 2021). For example, they
may take initiative to compete and utilize this tactic that help to get appropriate outcome. This
strategy may work well, in case of commanding position that manager may hold and make
command on employee’s performance that aid to eliminate reason behind conflict occurrence
and manage the same when it may happen. By implementing this skill, organization may gain
benefit of reducing costs, increasing productivity and retaining the best employees, who can
work even better than last few years or months. With the help of conflict management skill, they
may strengthen supervisor relationship much better. It may also support to manage risk in term
of preventing aggression, sabotage, violence and vandalism amongst unsatisfied employees. It
may help to build and improve relationship between candidates and management stronger than
ever.
Team effectiveness-
This term is defined as capability of team members that help them to accomplish critical
task, and achieve strategic aims, which play important role in TESCO success and growth.
Tuckman theory is the best team effectiveness skills as it may drive the concentration of
management toward building effective team of players who are able to enhance customer
satisfaction and provide them better experience when they visit supermarket, for purpose of
purchasing products according to their need. Management may apply this skill in term of
following each stage of Tuckman’s theory of team effectiveness and these are;

Forming-
The effectiveness of a team is start from this stage where management may effort to form
a group in which talented people work together to reach and achieve key objectives. According
to forming term, manager may make assure that they select those people who may understand
their role and collaborate with each other.
Storming-
The skill implementation is possible when management may reach to next stage such as
current one. They may push each employee against established limitation and try to resolve their
issues.
Norming-
This phase drives the attention of individual toward resolving their differences and then
begin to work with others that show their effectiveness.
Performing-
After passing above stages, management may move to next stage and here perform with
confident and productive nature.
Adjourning-
Group of members in the TESCO may reach this phase normally, and perform their role
in appropriate manner.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above discussion, it has been concluded that utilization of appropriate and
useful leadership as well as management skills, enabled me to achieve key goals. It played vital
role in the context of career success in competitive world, where each person gives tough
competition to other, by using effective methods. Furthermore, by summing up above analysis, it
has been summarized by developing personal development plan, individuals have developed
their skills as they improve those areas that play significant role in career success and growth. it
is important for them to do so, because of grabbing future opportunities.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
GaneshKumar, R., 2021. Effectiveness of Conflict Management Games and Activities in
Workplace. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (TURCOMAT).
12(11). pp.395-400.
Gódány, Z and et.al., 2021. Entrepreneurship motivation in the 21st century in terms of pull and
push factors. TEM J. Technol. Educ. Manag. Inform. 10. pp.334-342.
Ingham-Broomfield, B., 2021. A nurses' guide to using models of reflection. TheAustralian
Journal of Advanced Nursing. 38(4). pp.62-67.
Mulryan-Kyne, C., 2021. Supporting reflection and reflective practice in an initial teacher
education programme: An exploratory study. European Journal of Teacher Education.
44(4). pp.502-519.
Nugraha, I. G. B. S. M., Sitiari, N. W. and Yasa, P. N. S., 2021. Mediation Effect of Work
Motivation on Relationship of Soft Skill and Hard Skill on Employee Performance in
Denpasar Marthalia Skincare Clinical. Jurnal Ekonomi & Bisnis JAGADITHA. 8(2).
pp.136-145.
Rudolph, C. W and et.al., 2021. A systematic and critical review of research on respect in
leadership. The Leadership Quarterly. 32(1). p.101492.
Sharma, M.K., Narasimha, S. and Singh, P., 2022. Battle of royale game: Perspective from
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 68(1). pp.227-
229.
Siepel, J., Camerani, R. and Masucci, M., 2021. Skills combinations and firm performance.
Small Business Economics. 56(4). pp.1425-1447.
Online
Benefits of Empowerment. 2020. [Online]. Available Through: <
https://www.technofunc.com/index.php/leadership-skills-2/team-leadership/item/benefits-
of-empowerment#:~:text=Empowerment%20provides%20new%20opportunities
%20to,satisfy%20their%20self%2Dactualization%20needs.>
John Driscoll Model of Reflection. 2022. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.toolshero.com/personal-development/john-driscoll-model-of-reflection/>
Two-Step Flow of Communication. 2022. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/two-step-flow-of-communication>