University Business Psychology: Reflective Report and Action Plan

This report delves into business psychology, focusing on three core skills: assertiveness and conflict resolution, time management, and focus and attention. It begins with an introduction that emphasizes the importance of understanding employees' behaviors and psychological factors within an organization. The report includes reflective journal entries for each core skill, detailing their significance, current competence levels, and potential future benefits. An action plan is also provided, outlining the student's strengths and areas for development. The student reflects on how these skills can improve their professional life, enhance relationships with colleagues, and facilitate effective decision-making. The report concludes with a personal development plan. The report is designed to help students develop key skills for success in business and leadership.

Business Psychology

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Reflective Journals for three core skills...........................................................................................4
Reflective Journal entry pro-forma for Assertiveness and conflict resolution.......................4
Reflective Journal entry pro-forma for time management.....................................................5
Reflective Journal entry pro-forma for focus and attention...................................................6
Action Plan.......................................................................................................................................7
Summary and action plan.......................................................................................................7
Personal Development Plan....................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
For an organisation it is important to understand themselves and the employees working
in the organisation as on the basis of which they formulate various strategies. This helps the
organisations to align the operations of the business in right direction. The managers of the
organisation need to have an understanding of various skills and capabilities which they poses.
Also they need to understand the manner in which such skills and capabilities can be utilised by
them in the direction which can help in achieving the goals and objectives of the organisation. It
is important to understand the capabilities and competence of the employees which are working
with them so that the plans and strategies can be formulated as per such skills and capabilities.
Such plan helps the company to direct the employees and accomplish the objectives as the
strategies are directly linked with their capabilities. To have a clear understanding of the
employees behaviour the psychological factors need to be considered by the managers as it helps
them in identifying the perception of the employees. Psychology is the branch which is
associated with the behaviour and the experience of an individual. Behaviour is an expression
which is developed due to the experience gained by the individual which belongs to the subject
and its interaction with the object. On the basis of such the psychological evaluation the
managers can identify the culture of the workplace and the attitude of the employees towards it,
also the reasons behind happening of any event can also be determined (Coopman and Lull,
2014). Such psychological evaluation can be done with the help of behavioural approach,
cognitive approach and humanistic approach. The behavioural approach facilitates the
understanding of the behaviour, performance and the working practices of an employee who can
be influenced on the basis of a stimuli which exist in the external environment of the business.
The evaluation of the performances of the employees will help the organisation in determining
the skills, capabilities, way of doing the things etc. which will help them in accomplishing their
tasks. Whereas the cognitive approach of psychological evaluation suggests that the behaviour of
an individual is developed on the basis of their expectations and their emotions related to
occurrence of a specific event. So the behaviour of the employees can be analysed by motivating
them with the positive outcomes of their actions. This approach will further support the
organisation in determining the factors that has the capacity to impact the performance of the
employees. The another approach which can use in psychological evaluation is humanistic
approach. It is the one in which the employees of the organisation can perform those activities

for which they feel good and this will help them to identify their potential. Such approach
focusses upon motivating the employees by empowering them for what they like to do. To get
out best from the employees the managers focuses upon the environment in which they work.
The psychological evaluation helps the managers in motivating the employees by appreciating
their efforts and work. This positively contributes in increasing their potential to perform a
specific task.
Reflective Journals for three core skills
Reflective Journal entry pro-forma for Assertiveness and conflict resolution
What is the core skill?
The skills which I have to develop in me is assertiveness and conflict resolution which can be a
hurdle in my professional career. This skills will help to manage the conflicts well that will
produce the positive changes. With the assertiveness and conflict resolution skills the issues
which can arise in the organisation can be identified (Ellis and Bach, 2015). Also it will
facilitate in determining various solutions to such issues and the conflicts. Conflicts has impact
on both the individual and the organisation in terms of the level of performance, but it generally
has negative influence. Such impact can affect the growth of the individual in their professional
career and their overall growth. Due to this reason only the individual desired to acquire such
skills so that they can eliminate such hurdles.
Why is this core skill important?
Assertiveness and conflict management is important for every individual. The assertiveness
skills in an individual will help me to control stress, anger and in improving the skills of
coping. While the conflict management will help me to untie the problems which are they faces
due to conflicts. Also such resolution skills will help to come up with exhaustive list of option
which will put them in win win situation.
How competent are you currently?
On the basis of the reviews from my colleagues I analysed that I am capable enough to listen to
the people and to understand them. This make me realised that I must acquire such skills which
will give me success in my career. It will facilitate me in taking feedback from the employees

easily.
Can you identify any contradictions, or allowable weaknesses from your analysis?
My colleagues believes that I can understand and handle the employees well but I felt that I
cannot manage the conflicts if it will involve a large number of people in the organisation. Also
in case if I have to represent the issue before the management then in that case I may not be able
to do it effectively as I feel lack in confidence.
How will this skill help me in the future?
The skill of assertiveness and the conflict resolution will make me in developing healthy
relations with the employees. Also it will develop trust and confidence among the employees
ans will ensure success in longer span of time.
Reflective Journal entry pro-forma for time management
What is the core skill?
The another important skill which I have to acquire is of time management. This skill will help
me in planning and controlling of time for various activities which has to be undertaken by me
whether professionally or in my personal life. Such skills facilitates an individual to complete
more of the task in a shorter span of time. This reduces the stress and pressure as the individual
will help can achieve their targets in the decided time frame (Autesserre, 2014). To get the
success in the professional life the individual need to manage the time as it will help them to
grab more opportunities at a time. After adopting the skill of time management I can easily
realise the goals and objective which will improve my overall efficiency and productivity.
Why is this core skill important?
This skill is important for me as it will make me competent to achieve my goals and objectives
in a shorter period of time without any delay. The time management can be done effectively by
define the goals which the individual or the organisation wants to achieve (Haugtvedt, Herr
and Kardes, 2018). Then for such goals time limit need to be allocated and the activities which
are to be done a has to be prioritized. For achieving the goals I have to plan in such a way that I

can take a break as it will motivate me to be consistent towards individual goals.
How competent are you currently?
My managers believes that I have the capability to lead as I can prioritize the work on the basis
of their relevance and can make the employees comfortable for such tasks. But I realised that to
lead it is important to have an understanding of the capabilities of the employees and to allocate
the total time among various activities.
Can you identify any contradictions, or allowable weaknesses from your analysis?
According to my performance report I analysed that sometimes it becomes difficult for me to
allocate the time properly to various activities which I have to perform. Due to this issues my
work does not complete on time and this also has impact on my personal and professional life
both. The poor performance at the workplace affects the reputation which make it essential to
develop such skill in me.
How will this skill help me in the future?
The skill of time management will help me in planning for the organisation and for me as well.
Non essential activities and the task which are to be performed will be identified by me easily
with the help of which I can plan well. The projects with the deadlines can be completed on
time as they will be divided in smaller achievable tasks (Riggio, 2017). Further the relations
with the employees will improve as they can be directed specifically with the time limit in
which they have to get the work done.
Reflective Journal entry pro-forma for focus and attention
What is the core skill?
The other skill which I have to develop is focus and attention. It is believed that good attention
is a type of controlled attention which is guided by the good choices. The focus is something
that can be build by an individual by regular practice. The focussed and attention helps an
individual to be consistent towards the goals and objectives which they have to achieve. The
focus can be fostered with a combination of tools and mindset. Such focus and attention can be
improved with the help of understanding the area where the individual need to to focus. This
skill has various benefits such as it will improve the performances as the individual and

organisation will focus and be attentive towards what they to achieve (Schermuly, 2018).
Why is this core skill important?
The skill of being focussed and attentive has various advantages for both the individual and for
the company. I will develop this skill as this has various importance such as it will make me
feel more controlled as the attention can be paid on whatever is being planned by controlling the
distraction. It will make me feel motivated as it will develop an optimistic behaviour. Further
the focus and attention skills of the individual will develop better understanding among them as
they will become internally strong. The advantage of this skill which will boost my professional
career is that it facilitate decision making (Robert, 2016).
How competent are you currently?
My colleagues and friends believes that I take effective decisions but they to take effective
decisions various aspects need to be considered. But I fail to consider such factors as they need
to be focussed for a longer period of time. To improve the efficiency I have to develop this skill
necessarily.
Can you identify any contradictions, or allowable weaknesses from your analysis?
On the basis of my analysis I identified that I cannot focus for a longer period of time on one
activity. But to undertake various task and responsibility in professional life an individual
requires various skills so do I require. For this I have to acquire the skill of focus and attention
which will help me in taking decision making as I will be attentive for various aspects which
are related with the decisions.
How will this skill help me in the future?
Improvement in the focus and attention skills will make me confident in taking effective
decisions as I will become capable of focussing on all the aspects. Also it will facilitate me in
analysing the problems as I will be focussed towards various issues and opportunities available
in the market. The most important benefits of this skill will be that it will improve my
knowledge as I will be focussed so I can spend more time on gaining knowledge.

Action Plan
Summary and action plan
Strengths : On the basis of evaluation of various skills and abilities, I determined that my
communication skills are better which can give me competitive advantage over others. Also I
love to talk to people without any hesitation this make me confident to talk to people with the
help of which I can take feedbacks. This facilitates me in decision making. Apart from this I am
a good listener which helps me understand all the aspect and concept effectively. Accordingly I
take necessary steps which improves my performance. With the help of such skill I can establish
healthy relations with the employees and the others working in the organisation.
Weaknesses : On the basis of personal evaluation it is identified that my public speaking
skills are not satisfactory which is why I faces various issues. Along with that I faces an issue of
lack of focus and attention which affects my performance and delays my work. The another
reason for such delay is lack of time management skills which affects the targets achievements.
When the conflicts arise at large scale it that case it becomes difficult for me to manage them.
This is due to lack of confidence of facing the management.
Personal Development Plan
Personal development plan is a process which helps to establish the aims and objectives
of the individual in terms of what you want to achieve in the time period which can be short or
long (Schraw and Robinson, 2011). A personal development plan is prepared which will help me
in improving various skills.
Development
Area
Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time
Assertive and
conflict
resolution
I have to
develop this
skill as it will
help me in
resolving the
issues and this
will provide
me an
Such skills can
be measured
by comparing
the actual with
that of the
expected
performance.
This skills can
easily be
attained as it is
based upon
understanding
the nature and
behaviour of
the human.
The skill of
conflict
resolution will
help me
improving the
relations with
the employees
as their issues
In 2 months.

opportunity to
reach at some
higher
position.
can easily be
resolved.
Time
management
This is one of
the most
important skill
which I want
to develop as
it will help me
to complete
my job on
time. Also it
will help me
reduce the
stress as the
work will get
completed
within the
allocated span
of time.
The efficiency
of this skill
can easily be
measured by
determining
the time in
which the
activities gets
completed in
comparison to
previous
activities.
Such skills can
attained with
the help
various
seminars,
various books
for time
management
etc.
The skill of
time
management is
efficient as it
will help them
to divide the
total time in
different
activities.
Along with
that it will
facilitate the
prioritising of
the activities
as per their
relevance.
Within 2
months
Focus and
Attention
This skills will
help in
improving my
level of
knowledge as
I will become
more focussed
and attentive
for a particular
Such skill can
be measured
by me, by
analysing the
level of
knowledge in
context of
various
aspects.
Such skills can
be developed
with the help
of various
sessions and
techniques
which
improves
concentration
This skill is
relevant for
me it will
improve my
level of
knowledge
which will
become my
strengths.
Such skill can
be acquired in
3 months.

issue. Also it
will facilitate
effective
decision
making by
considering all
the factors
relevant.
and focus.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Autesserre, S., 2014. Peaceland: Conflict resolution and the everyday politics of international
intervention. Cambridge University Press.
Coopman, S. J. and Lull, J., 2014. Public speaking: The evolving art. Cengage Learning.
Ellis, P. and Bach, S., 2015. Leadership, management and team working in nursing. Learning
Matters.
Haugtvedt, C.P., Herr, P.M. and Kardes, F.R. eds., 2018. Handbook of consumer psychology.
Routledge.
Riggio, R.E., 2017. Introduction to industrial/organizational psychology. Routledge.
Robert, C. ed., 2016. The psychology of humor at work: A psychological perspective.
Psychology Press.
Schermuly, C.C., 2018. Client dropout from business coaching. Consulting Psychology Journal:
Practice and Research. 70(3). p.250.
Schraw, G. and Robinson, D. H. eds., 2011. Assessment of higher order thinking skills. IAP.