University Personal Development Plan: Business Psychology Report

This report details a student's Personal Development Plan (PDP), focusing on self-assessment and skill development within a business psychology context. It begins with an introduction and evaluation of psychological approaches, including Hertzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and the Hawthorne Effect, linking them to personal and workplace development. The core of the report comprises three reflective journal entries, each examining a different core skill: negotiation, time management, and peer feedback. Each journal entry follows a pro-forma, analyzing the importance of the skill, current competence levels, contradictions, and future applications, supported by academic references. The report concludes with a summary action plan, synthesizing strengths and weaknesses identified in the journals and outlining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) development goals for future improvement. The plan emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, skill enhancement, and professional growth within a business environment.

Running Head: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Name of the Student:
Name of University:
Author Note:

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Introduction and evaluation of psychological approaches
The role of psychology in personal and workplace development is considered to be one of
the major aspects that influences the modern workforce in an extensive manner. It can be stated
that the psychology in workplace helps the workforce to develop a strong and optimistic
personality so that it will be beneficial for both the organisation and the personal interests of the
employees. The purpose of this report is to facilitate an in-depth analysis over the psychological
approaches in personal and workplace needs. In addition to this, the report is also going to
illustrate the core skills in reference to the journal pro-forma and summary of the action plan so
that it will create a self and professional development plan. After that a summary of the action
plan will also be incorporated in order to deal with the practice of establishing a good
organisational practice. Therefore, the psychological approaches as follows,
Hertzberg’s Two-Factor Theory
According to Alshmemri, Shahwan-Akl and Maude (2017) the two factor theory is
associated with the dual factors of motivation in terms of the Motivator factors and hygiene
factors. The motivator factor is resembled with the elements of satisfaction and motivate
employees to work hard. It includes factors like enjoyment in work, recognition of the employees
and development in profession. On the other hand, Andersson (2017) pointed out that the
hygiene factors are associated with the dissatisfaction and lack of motivation that can create a
detrimental impact over the employees. The factors are incorporated salary, company policies,
benefits, relationships with managers and co-workers. For implementing the two factor theory in
workplace, first of all it is important to create a feedback from the employees so that it will be
helpful to understand their expectations (Hur 2018). In addition to this, hygiene factors are also

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important to take responsibility from the organisation’s end (Fareed and Jan 2016). Therefore, it
will be effective to perceive a clear idea regarding self or the workplace and purpose to
implement effective workplace practice.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
The hierarchy of needs theory of Maslow is comprised with basic needs of human beings
and the higher needs in life and profession. For instance, safety, esteem and self-actualisation are
identified as the relevant factors that can create a direct relation with the professional desires of
an individual. As far as the hierarchy of needs is concerned, it can be stated that safety in
wellbeing, secure relationships in profession and personal life and confidence of the person (Lee
and Hanna 2015). Moreover, hierarchy of needs also suggests that self-actualisation is also
considered to be an important practice that an employee must have in order to prioritise the
objectives and act accordingly. In course of implementing the hierarchy of needs approach in
workplace, it is important for an individual employees to access his or her strengths and
weaknesses and set the goals as per the needs (Shih et al. 2019). Therefore, it seems a relevant
psychological aspect that the employees can implement in course of understanding self and
others in workplace.
Hawthorne Effect
From the research of Hagel et al. (2015) it can be stated that the role of the Hawthrone
effective is associated with the physical conditions of the employees and the course of
experiments that will help them to get motivated and increase the production effectively. In
respect to this, the Hawthrone effective will help the organisation to understand the importance
of the employees and at the same time the employees will individually access their skills and
drawbacks (Goodwin et al. 2017).

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Reflective Journal entry Pro-forma
Journal 1
What is the core skill?
The core skill that I am choosing is related to negotiation. The concept is associated with the
international negotiation in terms of cooperating with colleagues in a intercultural workplace.
According to Groves, Feyerherm and Gu (2015) the global spectrum of modern business
practice is resembled with cross cultural practices and intercultural negotiations. Therefore, it
becomes important for the employees to acquire the skills as well.
Why is this core skill important? (use relevant theories and concepts to support your
answer)
The theoretical framework of negotiation in workplace is resembled with the practice of
establishing a strong and effective professional communication within the workplace so that it
will bring efficacy into the performance of the team members. As per the research of
Lønsmann (2017) it can be stated that the characteristics of current business workplace is to
appoint people from different cultures. As a result of that it becomes an essential part of the
organisation to formulate a better workplace practice and ensure the performance of the
people. In response to this, the cross-cultural competency theory and communication skills
techniques are discussed in order to build up the skills of negotiations of individual employee
(Walumbwa and Christensen 2016).
How competent are you currently? (use your tool-kit findings, feedback from peers and
your tutor, plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to

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answer this question)
As per the feedback from the peers and tutors I can say that one of my key strengths is to deal
with people reasonably well. It helps me to socialise well and effectively with others and
improve the workplace environment to a great extent. However, my negotiation skill test
stated that there are plenty of areas that I have to improve and work on. For instance, I need to
negotiate with others more effectively. The process requires proper communication with the
peers and supervisors. Another drawback in my skill is associated with lack of transparency in
my view points. It means I do not have the skill to influence others with positive
communication. As a result of that sometimes others feel wrong about me. In respect to this, I
must understand the skills positively and deal with it accordingly.
Can you identify any contradictions, or allowable weaknesses from your analysis?
The online tests on negotiation skill development is a free test that have no authenticity
regarding the problem of the organisation. As a result of that it becomes highly essential for
me to conduct a proper negotiation skill test that have authentic background. My supervisors
will assist me to find out the authentic test tool that will properly and scientifically measure
my skill. In addition to this, I feel some of my personal characteristics are not suitable to
deliver a strong and effective negotiation skills because I have no knowledge regarding cross
cultural management and communication skill. It is important for me to understand the
efficacy of my communication skills and start implementing my theoretical and conceptual
knowledge.

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How will this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
This skill will help me to formulate a strong leadership quality. As Atze and Vallery (2018)
opined that it is important for the leaders to negotiate and cooperate with the employees to
some extent so that they employees will feel motivated. The impression can be reflected on
the performance of the workplace. Therefore, the negotiation skill is highly significant for me
to boost my personality and shape my personality traits for future leadership development.
Journal 2
What is the core skill?
Time management is considered to be one of the major and potential aspect in employment.
The article of Laspinas (2015) stated that it is important for the employees to focus on time
management. Time management is a concept or process that helps a person to organise and
plan to work on different activities. As a result of that productivity and efficiency will be
increased.

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Why is this core skill important? (use relevant theories and concepts to support your
answer)
The paradigm of time management skill is associated with the benefit of the organisation
because the skill is associated with the process of efficiency and productivity of an individual
employees. In reference to the ABC System theory of Lakein, it can be stated that an
employee must prioritize his work so that it will keep order and benefit the employee to prove
his efficiency. Moreover, the research of Einarsen et al. (2018) discussed the importance of
time management from a different perspective in reference to the goal setting theory. Ryan
(2016) opined that goal setting theory helped the employees to manage their tasks on a
priority basis. As a result of that it will help to reduce stress and bring high sense of
motivation among the employees. The performance of the employees will also get increased
in the process of establishing a better time management skill. Henceforth, it will heightens the
time effectiveness and efficiency of individual employee.
How competent are you currently? (use your tool-kit findings, feedback from peers and
your tutor, plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to
answer this question)
As per the test report on my time management skills, it can be stated that I have some
knowledge regarding the importance of time management bot it requires to reach the optimum
level so that I can develop my proficiency at work and in personal life. The test result shows
that I have scored only 44 in the time management skill so that it will become a serious matter
for me to perform professionally and efficiently. Moreover, my peer and tutor feedbacks also
confirmed the fact that there are huge potential in my abilities but I have lack of skills in time

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management that is considered to be an obstacle for my future development.
Can you identify any contradictions, or allowable weaknesses from your analysis?
The weakness is very accurate because the peer reviews are also corroborated the fact that I
am very impatient to get the results of a task. As a result of that often I face challenges as the
task was not completed properly. It questions my ability and efficiency. Moreover, I follow
some strategies of time saving techniques but it is important to use the techniques
constructively rather than using to skip detailed practice.
How will this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
Ryan (2016) opined that the time management is identified as one of the major factors for
enhancing the efficacy of the employees. It can be stated that time management skill help
employees to prioritise work properly and reduce time so that it will be proper for the
employee to show his or her ability. Moreover, the productivity will also be increased as the
employee takes less time to perform a job. In respect to this, time management will help me to
strengthen my value and efficiency in the workplace and I can be one of the major contributor
of the organisation and get success in profession accordingly.
Journal 3
What is the core skill?
Peer feedback is considered to be the most important skill that employees must take in order
to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses on the basis of the evaluation from peer feedbacks.
In this regard, this article tries to find out the importance of peer feedback in personal

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development and the influence of feedback to guide the progress in personal development
(Groves et al. 2015). Peer feedback can be used as a guiding tool that measure the progress
and help the employee to understand the gaps in personal development process.
Why is this core skill important? (use relevant theories and concepts to support your
answer)
As per the research of Dixon et al. (2015) it can be stated that the role of peers is not only
help the employee to go for the right direction but it is also essential to note that core skill is
important to facilitate a guidance so that it will generate future success to the person. In this
regard, peer feedback help the employee to improve and make progress in personal
development. In addition to this, Boerboom et al. (2015) articulated that another major impact
feedback is coupled with enhancing the value of the employee. Considering the feedback of
the employee can also deliver a respect to the colleagues. As a result of that it is a useful tool
for the employee to get involved into the team easily and increase his value.
How competent are you currently? (use your tool-kit findings, feedback from peers and
your tutor, plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to
answer this question)
My peer feedbacks highlights the fact that I am eagerly ask my supervisors to access my
progress and share their valuable point so that I can develop my skills and traits. It means I am
very lenient towards the feedbacks and take those valuable suggestions on a serious note. As a
result of that it will help me to establish a strong value of my position within the workplace
where I have good relationship and professional approach with all the employees and seniors.
In addition to this, another important facet is associated with the peer reviews and feedbacks.

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It suggests that I show respect to the suggestions of my colleagues and trying to deliver a
positive approach towards their feedbacks so that they will never feel insulted or humiliated.
This professional and positive response from my side is also creating equal respect from the
employees’ end.
Can you identify any contradictions, or allowable weaknesses from your analysis?
I have some weaknesses regarding the feedbacks of my peers and supervisors. For instance, I
am not capable to prioritise the issues of my personality as per highlighted by my peers and
supervisors. It is also important to note that my analytical power is also not up to the mark so
that I can implement those suggestions for making a better development of my personality. In
response to this, I can say that lack of analytical skill and absence of priority understanding is
detrimental for my professional success.
How will this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
The feedbacks will help me to foster a strong personal development which will boost the
employee performance. Staddon et al. (2016) opined that the feedback of the peers and
supervisors will help me to establish a strong relationship with my colleagues and adding
value to my personality which will create more advantage for my future career development.
Summary action plan
Summary and Action Plan:
The self-assessments that are made by the individuals enable the same in developing
cognition on the different aspects of strengths and weaknesses. Evaluation of the strengths and

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weaknesses empowers an individual in envisioning the future course of actions for developing
the modifications. In this accordance the self-assessments and identification of the personal
strengths and weaknesses empowers an individual in improving the personal development
related activities for professional and personal growth.
Strengths:
 Deal with people reasonably
 Socialize
 Profound knowledge in time management
 Understanding the importance of peer feedback
Weaknesses:
 Lack of communication
 Lack of transparency in opinion
 Lack of management skill
 Absence of practical experience in implementing peer feedback
Personal Development Plan
Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely
Development
Area 1
Communicatio
n
Develop
soft skills
through
speech
therapy
with the
objective of
improving
negotiation
skills.
The increase
in the
communicatio
n skills would
allow me in
maximizing
transparency
and
involvement
of the
stakeholders
by 4%
I have planned
to undergo a
speech
therapy for 3
months with
the objective
of improving
my
communicatio
n skills.
Transparency
in the
communicatio
The speech
therapy
would
enable me in
developing
emotional
intelligence
which
would
permit me in
developing
an idea on
the style of
I would take a
session of 3
months after
which I
believe that
would be able
to facilitate
proficient
communicatio
n with my
audience
while
maintaining

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n is based on
the improved
understanding
of purpose and
content that
might be
interacted.
Therefore, I
believe that
the speech
therapy would
surely help me
in developing
cognition on
the different
ways through
which
proficient
interactions
might be
facilitated
with the
stakeholders
interactions
that might
be
conceived in
accordance
to the needs
of the
audience
the
transparency
of my
interactions
Development
Area 2
Management
skills
Developing
the
managemen
t skills
through
clear
assessment
of the best
practices
and
approaches
The
improvement
in the
management
style would
allow me in
empowering
the
performance
by 2% within
the next 1 year
Conduct
internal
surveys
among the
subordinates
for identifying
the flaws in
my
management
style and
thereby bring
The
improvemen
t in the
leadership
approaches
would
permit me in
developing
better
relations
with the
stakeholders
while
motivating
the same to
improve
their
performance
I believe that
the change in
the leadership
approaches
would take
around 6- 9
months as it
involves
critical
understanding
of human
psychology