Arden University HRM4001: Developing Personal & Management Skills

This portfolio assignment focuses on the development of personal and management skills. It includes a reflection on the author's management and leadership skills using Gibb's reflective model, detailing experiences, evaluations, analyses, conclusions, and action plans. A personal development plan is created to facilitate increased effectiveness in management and leadership, outlining specific skills to develop, their importance, and action steps with timelines. The assignment also explains transferable skills, such as supportive communication and motivation, using relevant theories like the two-step flow theory and Maslow's hierarchy of needs, applying them to an organization like Tesco. The portfolio aims to enhance the individual's capabilities in various management and leadership aspects.

Developing Personal and
Management Skills

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Reflect on own management and leadership skills using a range of models, and develop and
justify a personal development plan that will facilitate an increased level of effective
management and leadership.........................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
Explaining the following transferable skills using relevant theory and applying them to an
organisation..................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Businesses can run with the help of effective operations which needs skilled and
experience human resource. Personal and management skills are the ability which individual
possess including their thoughts, abilities, feelings and action (Midgley and Bak, 2021). Skilled
employees are asset for organisations as they are responsible to carry out all the operations in
organisation. Human resource managers should develop the required skills in their employees
which fulfil the requirement of organisation. It helps in better and improved productivity which
results in higher profits and revenues in an organisation. Organisations nowadays focus more on
personal and management skills as it plays important role in managing all the necessary actions
in effective manner. Each and individual employee possess different set of qualities which help
to perform in their respective expertise field. This report will include reflection on own
leadership and management skills using an appropriate models. Personal development plan is
created to facilitate an higher level of effective management and leadership. This report also
include transferable skills using relevant theories.
MAIN BODY
TASK 1
Reflect on own management and leadership skills using a range of models, and develop and
justify a personal development plan that will facilitate an increased level of effective
management and leadership
Management and leadership skills plays important role in effective performance as it
results in higher profitability. An individual should inculcate these skills because it enhance the
productivity in less time frame. Operations are carried out effectively when managers and leaders
are capable to solve the critical situations at workplace (Stek, van Dun and Wisniewski, 2021).
Managers have to become mentor of their employees and develop required skills and abilities
which are necessary for organisation. Environment should be evaluated on the basis of internal
and external factors. To evaluate the skills of management and leadership Gibb's reflective model
is used which is formulated by Graham Gibb's in 1998. This model is used to identify the
experiences and abilities which an individual use to perform operations. Model is discussed
below with the reflection of own management and leadership skills are:
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 Description: This stage includes the detailed and exact situations. When I was working
with an organisation, I used to divide the tasks and responsibilities among all the
employees. This leadership skill helped me to influence the mind set of employees to
perform in desired direction. We always coordinate with each other which help in sharing
of innovative and creative ideas. Being a manager I always focus on the management of
organisation which improves the productivity in effective manner. Before operating or
starting any task I always ensure that strategic decisions are carried out which help in
better performance. All the tasks were planned according to the needs and requirements
so that work should be done without any difficulties. Managing activities helps in
accomplishment of tasks prior to their deadlines which therefore helps in achievement of
goals and targets.
 Evaluation: Being a manager in an organisation includes various responsibilities and
authorities which should be completed on time. I was able carry out all the operations
effectively which enhanced my confidence (Fleming and Kowalsky, 2021). Everything
was happened in appropriate manner as I always motivate my workforce which results in
increased performance. Leadership skills like delegation of responsibilities helped in
saving the extra time and cost of operations. Better management results in positive work
environment which increase the mental stability of employees at workplace. All the
negative factors are identifies and proper strategies are formulated to eliminate the
negativity from the operations. It also evaluate the feelings that plans are carried out
successfully or they need any changes.
 Analysis: This refers to the analysation of work that is carried out effectively or not. I
used to focus on the environment of organisation that everything is carried out properly.
Management skills like commercial awareness is highly required for the relevant
knowledge and information which increase the ability. Strategic thinking always helped
me in better coordination and cooperation which prevents conflicts and miss
understanding in an organisation. Regular evaluation of employee performance helps in
identification of weaknesses which are easily controlled with the help of training and
development programs. Division of authorities and responsibilities helped us to
accomplish the operations before their deadlines which boost the morale of all the
employees.
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 Conclusion: This stage includes specific and transferable conclusions which includes the
learning and outcomes of performances are measured. I have contributed my best
possible efforts to earn high revenues in an organisation. I always maintain good
relationships with employees which results in better understanding and satisfy social
needs at workplace (Hairunisya, 2021). I generally takes feedbacks and reviews from the
employees after completion of task which helped in further improvement. These
leadership and management skills helped me in influencing employees and managing the
organisation in effective manner. Various challenges were affected the operations like
low productivity, employee absenteeism and employee turnover but with the help of
management skills I have effectively overcome these challenges.
 Action: During my manager position, I have faced challenges in employee retention
which results in heavy losses. After the evaluation of this problem I have used my
managerial skills and leadership skills like motivation, mentoring and interpersonal skills
which helped me in cope up with this problem (Basiony, 2018). Various new policies and
regulations are implemented in organisation which helped me in increasing the interest
and performance of employees. With the help of creative and innovative ideas,
employees perform all the required task in desired manner.
It is evaluated that this model helped us on reflecting the managerial and leadership
abilities which is necessary for an organisation. This is a structured cycle which focus on the
overall business environment including the abilities and performances. It promotes teamwork
where all the employees contribute their efforts to achieve success and goals. It helps in
managing the tasks and operation whether they results in profitability or not. If any changes
required in performances, managers need to develop that particular skills to improve the
performances.
Personal development plan
It refers to the action plan which helps in identification of goals and targets which have to
be achieved. It focus on the strengths and weaknesses and provide measure to improve that
which helps in improved performance (Cline and et.al., 2021). Personal development plan
provides clear vision of abilities and skills which an individual have to be developed in order to
attain goals. These development plans helps in setting the priority level which indicates which
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skills should be developed first to enhance the ability. Personal development plan is mentioned
below:
Skills Importance Action Time taken
Leadership skills A good leaders
motivates their
employees to perform
in best possible ways.
This skill helps in
better communication
which results in
transfer of ideas and
information in
effective manner.
Leaders are
responsible in
delegation of authority
and responsibilities so
that tasks are
performed in less time
frame.
I have practice
discipline so that my
leadership skill can be
enhanced which help
me in influencing
employees. I keep on
learning new things
which increase my
knowledge about
leadership. Team
projects helped me to
learn hoe to lead
employees so that they
work in particular
direction.
1 month
Conflict management This skills helps in
retaining employees
for longer period of
time which saves lot of
cost in training and
development (Shantz
and Dempsey-Brench,
2021). Due to less
conflicts in
To enhance this skills,
I have develop the
ability of active
listening and stay
attentive when
employees discuss
anything with me. I
used to arrange
meetings and
20 days.
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organisation people
enjoy positive work
environment and it
also reduces stress and
pressure. Due to
conflict management
skills, employee
absenteeism is also
reduced which helps
entire team in
achieving success and
growth.
conferences where I
give them opportunity
for open
communication which
resolve miss
understanding among
employees. I try to
understand each and
every aspect without
any partiality which
help me to enhance
this skill.
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Motivation skill Motivation skill helps
in making positive
work environment in
an organisation. It
improves the ability
and efficiency of an
individual so that they
improve the
productivity which
helps in higher
profitability. It
increases the
satisfaction level of
employees at
workplace and boost
their morale. Optimum
utilization of resources
can be done with the
help of motivation.
I have given various
benefits and perks to
motivate employees
which help in
improved and higher
productivity (Safa and
Sharma, 2021). Proper
schedules are planned
to carry out the
operations on time
which motivate
employees to perform
better. Various
activities are planned
on weekends so that
employees stay
motivate to complete
their deadlines.
2 months
Team effectiveness
skill
This skill is important
for organisations
because employees
working in teams
contribute more efforts
toward the success of
organisations. It
creates better work
environment as all
employees work on
same page. This skill
provides various
Decisions are easily
taken with the help of
this skill. I used to
solve more problems
so that I can organise
people in better way.
Communication skills
are also developed
which help in
achievement of growth
and goals.
1 month.
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learning opportunities
due to high
interdependence.
TASK 2
Explaining the following transferable skills using relevant theory and applying them to an
organisation
Transferable skills are used in job on day to day basis. Individual can use these skills in
every field or Job position. The person could carry these skills while switching the organisation.
There are some hard skills which include coding, data analysis etc (Hattie, Hodis, and Kang,
2020). The individual needs experience to master these set of skills. On the other hand, there are
some soft skills like communication, time management, coordination etc. These skills are
developed by the employee while working in the company.
Tesco is a retail supermarket giant the organisation operates their business in different
regions. Their aim is to provide quality products to the customers at an affordable price.
Explaining the transferable skills:
Supportive Communication – It is a style of communication which helps the individual
to communicate with other people effectively in the organisation. The main focus of this skill is
to build relationship with other employees in the company. This will help the person to tell about
any shortcoming in the organisation. On the other hand, the organisation could get valuable
feedback from the employee. For better understanding an effective communication two step
flow theory could be used:
This theory suggests that there will be flow of communication in the organisation. The
employees has the authority to communicate with the leaders of top management directly. The
individual might communicate effectively with the companies management. Tesco is using this
theory to solve different problems of employees. While, making new innovative ideas the
individual could pass their idea to the management. The messages are delivering at a systematic
level in the company. This helps the organisation to generate more revenues in the market.
Motivation – It is a driving force which helps the employees to work more productively
for their goals and objectives. Effective motivation could be used by the organisation to achieve
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maximum output from the employees (Gastil, and Broghammer, 2021). To understand this skill
better Maslow theory could be used.
 Physiological Needs – In this factor the employee focuses to achieve basic needs while
working in the organisation. It includes food, shelter, etc.
 Safety Needs – In the factor the individual seeks to achieve secure job position in the
workplace. It is necessary for the organisation to provide job security through various
factors. In Tesco the organisation treats their employees in a healthy way. The
organisations supports their employees by give job satisfaction and security. Due to this
the employees are self motivated and able to achieve high productivity in the workplace.
 Love and belonging Needs - This factor suggests that the person develop interpersonal
feelings while working in the organisation. These feelings helps them to build healthy
relationship in the workplace. On the other hand, it includes attraction, affection,
commitment etc. In context to Tesco their employees develop friendly relationship in the
organisation. Their management ensures that everybody is working in a cordial way.
 Esteem needs: As per this need, the individual wants respect, dignity and power while
working into the organisation. These needs to showcase that, the individual require
affirmation once they have achieved all the above needs. These needs are essential for
individual motivation (Lynch, and Mcloughlin, 2018). While working in the Tesco, it
has seen that the company provide great environment for the self centred employee who
wants stake and their own identity.
 Self actualisation needs: These needs are those for which the individual is required to
have much potential to go on beyond their capability. The person requires a lot of skills
and experience to achieve this stage. In Tesco, there are a lot of opportunities provided
for the employees to grow more and achieve more.
Empowerment:
This is also a type of transferable skills which are required for to have in every
individual. These skills are mainly present in the managers and leaders who empowers other for
doing a specific work and motivates them to grow at high level. There are many reasons for
which employees find them self restless and in full of troubles. Life gives many consequences in
which people may losses motivation and loose control over their emotions. In companies
changing business environment, employees, managers and otter staff find many difficulties
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which leads to create conflicts and office politics (Sisodia, and Agarwal, 2020). It shows that,
there is lack of empowerment within the firm to keep employee dedicated towards achieving
goals and objectives. Empowerment concepts plays a crucial role in building teams and
collaboration. The organisation find is crucial to work in coordination in which each of the
member support others at the time of problems and issues. While working in Tesco, it has
identified that the managers and leaders are cooperative and motivated to influence others. Due
to having diversified work environment, the company needs to look for every department and its
people who also gives their efforts in achieving goals and objectives. There are various key
dimensions of empowerment which help the individuals which is better explained by the Karter
theory of management:
This theory shows that, there is requirement of the organisational operations to empower the
skills and talent of the employees. In Tesco the key relevance of this theory has applied in Tesco
which are presented below:
Opportunities for advancement: this is the major relevance of employment. Providing
opportunities which helps in enhancing employees skills
Access to information: This is also an effective working practice which will lead to
empower the employees towards achieving goals and objectives. By giving each relevant
information to the employees, they will carry out work without any delays and mistakes. In
Tesco, the employee work in hierarchy which influence on the key development activity of the
performance by making them feel valued.
Access to support: By giving support to the employees, they feel confident and work
with clear mindset in the organisation. It is a great way to empower someone through supporting
them in ups and down.
Conflict Management: Conflicts are one of the cause of employees demotivation and
dissatisfaction while working in the organisation. It happens when there is a lot of pressure puts
on the employees, improper coordination into team, office politics, miss management an lack of
communication. These all are the most effective reasons which creates situation of conflict in
the organisation. While working in the Tesco, conflicts were a part of everyday activity due to
having giant supermarket chain (Koenka, 2020). It means that, the organisation needs to
eliminate negative impact on the organisation and bring positive changes. Therefore, the
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company needs to carry out effective plans and policies of managing workplace issues. This
could be done through applying relevant theory which is described below:
Human relation theory: As per this theory, the managers needs focus on building
relations with company employees. The managers of Tesco analysed that, conflict are a natural
phenomena which will take place among a group of individual. The matter is, how it could be
solved. Therefore, maintain good relations will create a sense of understanding among each
other.
Avoiding: while working at workplace, it is necessary to avoid some conflicts which are
not relevant and crate negative environment.
Compromise: Sometimes, compromises are required to done in situation of conflicts. It
shows that, every team must agreed for mutual solution to satisfy the need of both the parties.
Team effectiveness: in an organisation, the success depends on the working of team and
their efforts. When employees work collaborative and with together support, the objectives will
be achieve more easily (Black, Gardner, Pierce, and Steers, 2019). Therefore, it has analysed
that the Tesco ceases a deliberate environment in which people could work together and
understand each others strength.
Tuck man theory:
Forming stage: at this stage, the teams gets combine and introduce with each other. The
managers of tesco make sure that, different background people who have different skills and
background form a group of team for better working.
Storming stage: on this stage, the team members comes to some arguments and conflicts
by not having same opinion and perception (Fong, 2022). The manager of Tesco focus on the
key development activities which are related to the individual growth and team building.
Norming stage: This stage shows development of maturity among team. They start
working in coordination.
Performing stage: This stage involves a high level of performing among team which
leads to achieve aims and objectives.
Adjourning stage: This is the last stage in which the team gets separated and new
project will be undertaken.
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CONCLUSION
The report has concluded that, leadership and management are crucial activities which
helps in building transferable skills within individual. It could be done through by analysing
effective techniques of leadership which has done into the report. There are many transferable
skills have identified that could be develop through applying theories.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Midgley, J. and Bak, O., 2021. A preliminary investigation into senior management skills: the
context of third-party logistics (3PLs) providers. Benchmarking: An International
Journal.
Stek, K., van Dun, D.H. and Wisniewski, R., 2021, April. The Human Aspect in Purchasing and
Supply Management: Traits as a Proxy for Personal Skills Development. In 30th
Annual IPSERA Conference 2021.
Fleming, R.S. and Kowalsky, M., 2021. The Importance of Effective Time Management.
In Survival Skills for Thesis and Dissertation Candidates (pp. 11-14). Springer, Cham.
Hairunisya, N., 2021. Student's perception of learning, knowledge, attitudes and skills based on
Indonesian economics. Available at SSRN 3866007.
Cline and et.al., 2021. Assessing how students value learning communication skills in an
undergraduate anatomy and physiology course. Anatomical Sciences Education.
Shantz, A. and Dempsey-Brench, K., 2021. How Volunteerism Enhances Workplace Skills. MIT
Sloan Management Review, 62(4), pp.1-6.
Safa, M. and Sharma, N., 2021. Diversity and innovation management skills. International
Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 26(4), pp.488-503.
Basiony, B.M., 2018. Management Development Strategy for Developing Nurse Intern's
Managerial Skills. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 17(5), pp.1-11.
Hattie, J., Hodis, F.A. and Kang, S.H., 2020. Theories of motivation: Integration and ways
forward. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61, p.101865.
Gastil, J. and Broghammer, M., 2021. Linking theories of motivation, game mechanics, and
public deliberation to design an online system for participatory budgeting. Political
Studies, 69(1), pp.7-25.
Lynch, S. and Mcloughlin, G., 2018. Optimizing the learning environment for students in
physical education: Integrating theories of motivation. Active Healthy Journal, 25(1),
pp.35-40.
Sisodia, S. and Agarwal, N., 2020. Synthesising employability skills with classical theories of
motivation in the healthcare industry. International Journal of Indian Culture and
Business Management, 21(2), pp.181-205.
Koenka, A.C., 2020. Academic motivation theories revisited: An interactive dialog between
motivation scholars on recent contributions, underexplored issues, and future
directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61, p.101831.
Fong, C.J., 2022. Academic motivation in a pandemic context: a conceptual review of prominent
theories and an integrative model. Educational Psychology, pp.1-19.
Black, S., Gardner, D.G., Pierce, J.L. and Steers, R., 2019. Process Theories of
Motivation. Organizational Behavior.
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