University Reflection Essay: MD4042 Leadership and Management

This essay presents a comprehensive self-reflection on leadership and management principles, based on a residential experience. The assignment begins with a personality assessment, exploring temperament, emotional control, the Big Five personality traits, resilience, and decision-making abilities. The results are analyzed to identify strengths and weaknesses. Task B focuses on a critical reflection of a workplace scenario, analyzing the challenges faced as a team leader, particularly in managing internal conflict and promoting a positive work culture. The reflection delves into self-awareness, evaluating personal behaviors, and identifying areas for improvement, such as conflict management and emotional control. Task C synthesizes the learning from the assessment and reflection, linking personal experiences to theoretical aspects of leadership and self-development. It emphasizes the importance of self-directed leadership development, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while acknowledging the need for better emotional control and conflict management. The essay concludes by highlighting the significance of these skills in fostering professional and personal growth.

Running head: REFLECTION
Reflection
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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Table of contents
Task A: Personality assessment result:............................................................................................3
Introduction..................................................................................................................................3
Discussion....................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................4
References and bibliography...........................................................................................................5
Task B Critical reflection for the residential experience.................................................................6
Description...................................................................................................................................6
Analysis.......................................................................................................................................6
Self-awareness.............................................................................................................................7
Evaluation....................................................................................................................................8
Synthesis......................................................................................................................................8
Bibliography....................................................................................................................................9
Task C Reflection and conclusion.................................................................................................10
Introduction................................................................................................................................10
Discussion..................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................13
References and bibliography:........................................................................................................13
Appendix........................................................................................................................................15

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Task A: Personality assessment result:
Introduction
In order to understand individuals’ ability as well as help people to understanding the
behavioral characteristics, the personality testing process is important (Debognies et al. 2019).
The purpose of this study is to conduct five personality tests such as temperament, emotional
control, Big five personality test, resilience and sound decision making have been conducted. In
this study, the results of the tests have been critically analyzed.
Discussion
Temperament is being considered as the important component of human characteristics
that influence the behavior (Meeus 2018). In the temperament test, it has been identified that my
type is INFJ, which indicates that I am highly intuitive and creative. I have a caring nature that
makes me protective towards my colleagues. I have the independent innovation capability that
increases my expectations. In the analysis, it has been identified that, I have strong decision
making ability that can significantly influence people. In this assessment, my behavioral value
has got exposed that has indicated that I give more priority to my career rather than my job,
which indirectly proves that I am a good decision maker. The strong judging ability of mine can
help me to get control over situations.
In the second test, the working ability of mine in different situation is being highlighted.
As per the introversion result, it has been identified by me that I don’t like to get highlighted in
the crowd and due to my shyness I prefer to work in a small team. On the other hand, analyzing
the emotional controlling ability, it can be said that in some of the cases, I get emotional and that
influence the thinking process of mine. In the emotional control process, I have scored 86 that

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indicates, I have the ability to strongly manage my emotions and I am also able to develop the
strategies in terms of managing the situations in better manner.
In the big five personality test, it has been identified that I feel comfortable while
working with others in the workplace, my midrange score in extraversion indicates that I have an
influencing personality. High openness of mine helps me to easily accept the changes. By
continuing this, it can be said that my strong personality can influence the decision making
process of others. I have medium emotional stability that ensures my compromising ability. My
high score in conscientiousness means I am organized as well as proficient. Due to my high
openness, I can find the novel ways for operating in the workplace. In the personal resilience test
I have scored high which indicates that I am quite aware of my strength as well as weaknesses
that can influence my self-confidence. In the personal resilience test, the problem solving ability
of mine has been indicated. In the case sound decision making test I have scored 79, it has been
identified that before coming to the solution, I take different options and critically analyze the
pros and cons of my decision. By analyzing the qualities, I can say that if I would be appointed
as a team leader, using my problem solving ability, I will be able to take proper decision for my
team that can bring benefits for my team in future.
Conclusion
In the above analysis, it can be concluded that, in the five test analysis process it has been
identified that emotional intelligence, strong problem solving and creativity are the major
characteristics that impacts on the decision making process.

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References and bibliography
Debognies, P., Schaillée, H., Haudenhuyse, R. and Theeboom, M., 2019. Personal development
of disadvantaged youth through community sports: a theory-driven analysis of relational
strategies. Sport in Society, 22(6), pp.897-918.
Meeus, W., 2018. Adolescent Development: Longitudinal Research Into the Self, Personal
Relationships and Psychopathology. Routledge.
Nesbit, P.L., 2012. The role of self-reflection, emotional management of feedback, and self-
regulation processes in self-directed leadership development. Human Resource Development
Review, 11(2), pp.203-226.
Stewart, J., 2016. Personal development plan. In Encyclopedia of Human Resource Management.
Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.

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Task B Critical reflection for the residential experience
Description
In the reflective log the workplace experience has been mentioned in which it has been
described that while performing as the team leader I have faced challenges while solving the
internal conflict in the team. It is true that due to negative work culture as well as stress among
the team members, overall productivity has got affected. In order to manage the situation, I have
focused on arranging a team meeting. As I was new on the organization, it was quite tough for
me to take a strong decision based on one complain. On other hand, other assistant team leaders
were aware of the situation, but they were maintaining the silence, which has made the situation
more difficult for me. Analyzing the issue, it has been identified by me that due to improper
maintenance of multiculturalism working environment, such negative situation has been
identified. I won’t deny that although I have the strong problem solving skill but due to lack of
patience, it was really hard for me to stay calm in that particular situation. Increasing stress in the
workplace and pressure of productivity have made me puzzled. It is true that although I prefer
solving problems by communicating with people, but usually I try to avoid the conflicts.
Analysis
In order to deal with the situation I have used my skills and tried to manage the situation
by developing proper communication with the team members. I strongly believe that
communication is one of the important ability that can significantly impact on the leadership
practices in an organization. Analyzing the problem solving process in the particular situation, it
can be said that I have effective communication ability that can help me to manipulate the
decision of others.

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In order to perform as a team member, it is important for understanding the societal
expectation for the team leader. In the reflection log, it has been mentioned that improper work
culture was the major concern in the workplace. In that situation using my emotional control
ability, I have tried to understand the situation of the employee. Using this skill I have also tried
adopt an effective strategy for understanding the situation. Rather than adopting the quick
decision, I have critically analyzed the pros and cons of my decisions so that other won’t get
affected. I always believe in transformational leadership practices, which always drives me
towards ensuring the engagement of individuals in the team decision making process.
Self-awareness
While dealing with the situation, it has been identified by me that, although I was
confident enough for dealing with challenges, but in reality is quite different. It was quite tough
for me to convince individuals for participating in the team meeting. I was getting irritated when
I was not getting proper support from my coworkers. While managing the situation, it has been
identified by me that in order to ensure better performance in future I need to focus on involving
in the self-development process. I have identified that although I am creative enough for
developing ideas to handle the situations, but due to my lack of patience I easily get irritated. My
high expectation from my colleague can be considered as another issue that has dragged me
towards depression. Although I have strong hold in managing the emotions, but I belive, I need
to be more independent while taking any important decision.
On the other hand, it is true that dealing with the negative working culture I have decided
to arrange the meeting, but I feel that meeting is not enough for ensuring the solution in the
situation, individuals awareness is also very important. Being a true leader informing the team
members regarding the impact of negative work culture can be beneficial for me. On the other

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hand, enhancing my leadership competencies, focus on focusing on adopting the conflict
management ability. Rather than avoiding the conflicting situations, I believe, if I would focus
on dealing with the situation, it would be better for my career.
Evaluation
In the above analysis, it has been identified by me that conflict management is being
considered as the significant leadership competency that can impact on the problem solving
ability of mine. Involving myself in different tasks, I can be able to analyze the critical
conflicting situations, which cam make me confident while performing as the conflict manager. I
can also review the biography of popular leaders for finding the better way to manage conflicts.
In order to adopt this characteristics, initially I need to focus on controlling my negative
emotional out blasts. By continuing this, it can also be said that I need to focus on controlling my
emotions by doing meditations. It has also been identified by me that I am quite shy, due to this
nature of mine I may face challenges while interacting with people. In that case, I can also focus
on improving my interactive skill for making better communication.
Synthesis
In the end, it can be said that in the analysis, it has been identified by me that high
expectation from others as well as lack of conflict management ability are the major barrier in
my characteristic that can indirectly influence the leadership ability of mine. I believe, if I would
have adopted this skills, it would have helped me in case of dealing with the situation in better
manner.

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Bibliography
Baron, S.H. and Pletsch, C. eds., 2019. Introspection in biography: The biographer's quest for
self-awareness. Routledge.
De Vignemont, F., 2018. Mind the body: An exploration of bodily self-awareness. Oxford
University Press.
Maier, F., Williamson, K.L., Tahmasian, M., Rochhausen, L., Ellereit, A.L., Prigatano, G.P.,
Kracht, L., Tang, C.C., Herz, D.M., Fink, G.R. and Timmermann, L., 2016. Behavioural and
neuroimaging correlates of impaired self-awareness of hypo-and hyperkinesia in Parkinson's
disease. Cortex, 82, pp.35-47.
Peterkova, A., Nemeth, M., Michalconok, G. and Bohm, A., 2018, April. Computing Importance
Value of Medical Data Parameters in Classification Tasks and Its Evaluation Using Machine
Learning Methods. In Computer Science On-line Conference (pp. 397-405). Springer, Cham.

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Task C Reflection and conclusion
Introduction
Leadership is being considered as one of the important characteristics that can only drives
the professional growth of individuals, but also it makes the major contribution in the personal
development process (Chen and Huang 2017). The purpose of this study is to shed light on
identifying the potential development area that can enhance the personal abilities of mine.
Analyzing the personality assessment report and reflective scenario, in this section of the study,
the personal experience has been linked up with the theoretical aspects. In this study, potential
characteristics of mine have also been described, that can significantly influence the situation
handling ability.
Discussion
Theoretical aspects of self-assessment
Self-directed leadership development Framework can be considered as the important
practice that ensures the self-assessment ability (Nesbit 2012). Depending on the experimental
learning abilities nature of self-development can be significantly explored. It cannot be ignored
that effective self-development practice can get influenced based on the integrated operational
skills. On the other hand it is also true that enacting the self-regulatory process for developing
individuals ability, can get identified. Ensuring the self-directed leadership development practice,
self-reflection needs to be critically analyzed based on the strong emotion management abilities.
In the above analysis, it has been mentioned that critical thinking as well as problem solving
abilities are the biggest strength of mine, which has significantly driven the leadership practice

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adopted by me. By continuing this it has also been identified that improper control on emotion is
the major drawback that has influence the leadership development framework.
Body and emotion are the important components that influence the behavioral changes of
individuals. It is true that based on the face solution as well as co creation process of body and
emotions experimental learning process of the learner gets influenced (Bevan et al. 2012). Based
on the reflection of experimental learning activities it becomes easier for the learner to enhance
the learning abilities. By continuing this it can also be said that learning with the outdoor
management development activities the personal abilities of individuals can get and reached.
Influencing the value creation process among individuals can significantly developed the
interconnection between body and emotions.
In the Kolb’s theory self-analysis is being considered as the psychological tradition that
influences the cultural, social and historical aspects of individuals, which indirectly influence the
thinking process of people (Chen and Huang 2017). In the self-assessment, self-contribution of
the analytical thinking is being considered as the important skill that ensures the logical thinking
ability of the person that can help the person to survive in any situation. In some of the cases
analyzing the behavior as well as strategies sound decision making ability can be identified in the
workplace. Therefore it can be said that in terms of supporting the self-reflection process
acknowledging the emotion and body reactions are very important. On the other hand designing
the development action plans the implications of social cognitive theory can help to address the
self-development needs. In my case I believe effective self-development framework needs to be
introduced in case of measuring the abilities of mine towards handling difficult situations. In the
personality assessment test it has been identified that I have the ability to adopt changes which