Personal Development Plan: Leadership Development at University

This report details a personal development plan designed to enhance leadership skills and achieve the career goal of becoming a CEO within Transport Malta. It begins with a skills audit, identifying areas for improvement such as report writing, decision-making, and change management. The student utilized a SWOT analysis and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to pinpoint these skill gaps. The report then explores the identification of the student's preferred learning style using the VAK learning style tool, classifying them as a visual learner. Following this, the report constructs a personal development plan, outlining specific actions, timelines, and methods for improving the identified skills, aligning with the visual learning preference. The plan includes training, seminars, mentoring, and self-assessment techniques. The report also discusses methods for assessing the plan's outcomes and evaluates the impact of the developed skills on achieving strategic goals, emphasizing the benefits for both the individual and the organization.

Running head: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Personal Development Plan
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note:

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................................2
Part 2.1. Skill Audit to evaluate the strategic skills needed to meet current and future leadership
requirements:..............................................................................................................................................2
Part 2.2 Applying appropriate techniques to identify preferred learning style:.........................................4
Part 3.1. Constructing a personal development plan that meets leadership development requirements
identified in the skill audit:..........................................................................................................................5
Part 3.2. Using of suitable methods to assess the outcomes of the personal development plan against
personal work objectives:............................................................................................................................6
Part 3.3. Evaluation of impact of own learning against the achievement of strategic goals:......................7
References:..................................................................................................................................................8

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Introduction:
Professionals today have to develop their skills and knowledge in order to remain ahead
of their competitors in their respective professional fields. Ongoing continued professional
development is one of the most essential parts of personal and professional life for an individual
to be prepared for new career opportunities and perform well in their personal life. This means
they must identify their strengths and weaknesses. They have to undergo developmental plans to
in order to enhance their strengths and work on their weaknesses in order to reduce them to the
feasible extent.
This report is meant to help the author to prepare a personal development plan that will
enable him to acquire the skills needed inline with career goal of becoming CEO of Transport
Malta which is the Authority for Transport in Malta. The report commences with a skills audit
for evaluating strategic skills required to meet the future leadership goals. Also appropriate
techniques and tools are used for identifying preferred learning style and accordingly a personal
development plan is prepared. Suitable methods are used to assess the outcomes of the PDP in
relation with the personal work objectives. Along with it, the impacts of own learning will be
evaluated in line with organization’s strategic goals.
Part 2.1. Skill Audit to evaluate the strategic skills needed to meet current and future
leadership requirements:
Skills audit is basically a process that is used by an individual to identify the skill gaps
and the areas in which they lack for reaching to their career goal. The skill audit is conducted to

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
identify the areas where the individual needs to work and require training. With the help of a
skill audit gaps in skills will be identified.
The strategic skills which I aim to develop to meet the present and future professional
needs of mine would be report writing skills, decision making skills and change
management skills. I have identified these needs by conducting a SWOT analysis and Myers-
Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) of myself.
The SWOT analysis and the MBTI indicator pointed out that, I am weak in report writing. I have
also recognized that as the CEO, I may have to prepare and present reports to the stakeholders of
Authority of Transport like the Government of Malta and the transport firms working the
transport sector of the country. Hence, I have recognized that I should improve my report writing
skills in order to form and present superior quality reports to these stakeholders. The second
skills which I need to develop and is to be included in the personal development plan would be
decision making skills. The findings of the personal SWOT analysis of mine point out that I am
extremely concerned about others. This attribute of mine undoubtedly helps me to gain
cooperation of my subordinates which ultimately boosts the performance of the team of
personnel I lead. However, this caring nature of mine also provides scope to low performing
employees to take advantage of the situation. Thus, I really need to curtail this caring nature of
mine and be more professional. I would hence need to undergo decision making skills
development session as a part of personal developmental plan. The third skill, conflict
management is another important skill. Kenneth Thomas and Ralph Kilmann developed five
conflict resolution strategies that people use to handle conflict, including avoiding, defeating,
compromising, accommodating, and collaborating. It is useful to understand the five methods,

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particularly when as CEO; I want to move a group forward. Thus, considering this finding I
would be undergoing change management training in order to be able to drive changes.
Part 2.2 Applying appropriate techniques to identify preferred learning style:
A learning style refers to a consistent way or manner in which an individual responds
using stimuli in context of learning There are number of tools and techniques present. for
individual to identify the learning styles and behaviour. Some of these tools are known as VAK,
Kolb's model, Honey and Mumford learning style tools. Out of these tools I preferred to use
VAK learning style tool to analyze and evaluate the learning of my personal behavior.
VAK learning style theory,established in 1987 by Neil Fleming,was design for describing
how distinct type of learners’ process information’s (Law, 2020). The theory suggests that there
are three types of learners and implies that every individual is different and therefore they need
use of different channels for learning and moving further in their careers.
The VAK questionnaire classified me as a visual learner which means that by reading and
seeing pictures basically observing things I learn the most. In other words visual learning is the
individual who holds good observation skills and abilities, they learn most by reading and
observing various different situations rather than other learning styles (Suleiman, 2019). A visual
learner can always develop a picture in his mind of what he is seeing and learn the best out of it
by using methods which are usually and primary visual. The visual learnermostly make use of
presentations, pictures and posters is always neat and clean and close his eyes to visualize things
which he just saw and take a picture in his mind for remembering them. An Area where visual
learner lacks is the difficulty to understand and follow spoken directions and get distracted by

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sounds. Visual learner always makes use of flowcharts and other diagrams to explain his point of
views to the wider group and to learn in best possible manner.
Therefore, I need to elaborate on these findings to gain knowledge on the three main
skills developed through the personal development plan namely, report writing skills, decision
making skills and conflict management as per the skill gaps identified in the previous section.
Part 3.1. Constructing a personal development plan that meets leadership development
requirements identified in the skill audit:
A Personal Development Plan is a document which is developed by oneself for acquiring
particular skills and capabilities according to a set frame and by using appropriate tools and
techniques. A personal development plan is basically a document which provides guidelines and
direction to the individual towards achieving skills or number of specific skills (Fedorivna and
Fedorivna, 2019). This enables the person to grab all the required skills to fulfill and reach to his
career objective.
A person development plan has been carried out after analysis and identification of the
gaps in skills that are preventing me from reaching my future goal of becoming a CEO.The
methods used to bridge the gap are in line with my preferred learning style as concluded from the
VAK test.
Area for
developmen
t
Date I will have
this completed
by
I will achieve this by
How will I know
I've been
successful
Progress

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Report
writing skills
Approximatel
y 3 months
from today
and to a
maximum of 5
months for
acquiring this
skill in an
appropriate
manner.
I would also undergo training
sessions, attend seminars and
do secondary research. The
secondary research would
consist of reading articles,
journals, books, newspaper
articels and online materials. I
would also seek mentoring
from senior officials on the
same.
I will ask my
colleagues to
help me by
asking them their
true opinions.
I spending
less time to
write
reports.
Fewer
corrections
following
first draft
Conflict
management
skills
Conflict
management 8
months time is
required for
achieving
effective
conflict
management
skill.
For attaining effective conflict
management abilities. I will
read various books and
Journals developed by number
of experts and articles present
on the internet for human
resource management.
A self-assessment
tool can be helpful
where I will
resolve conflicts
among people in
my workplace and
appropriately
assess my skill
accordingly
(Ramdi, 2019).
I will
analyze my
behaviours
including
listening,
speaking as
they are
tantamount
to conflict
management
.
Decision
making skills
This is one of
the most
important
skills, thus 6
months time is
needed for
effective
development.
I intend to develop this skill
through a training program
which specifically
concentrates on developing
effective decision-making
skills in an individual.
My strategic
management
superiors will be
the best source to
assess my decision
making in practice.
By starting
immediately
identifying
unacceptable
practices
and take
remedial
strict
actions.
Part 3.2. Using of suitable methods to assess the outcomes of the personal development plan
against personal work objectives:
I would use both direct methods and indirect methods the test the outcomes of the skill
development plan against the personal objectives set by me. The direct method would require me
to reflect upon the level to which I am able to handle the tasks. For example, in case of assessing
my improvement in the report writing skills, if I am to make more accurate report requiring

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fewer corrections compared to the first draft, I would perceive this as an improvement in the
report writing. Similarly, increase in the ability to listen actively while speaking to staff members
would show that I have become capable of resolving conflicts.
Part 3.3. Evaluation of impact of own learning against the achievement of strategic goals:
The skills which are being developed will be beneficial for me and my organisation
which will enable me to address the staff under my responsibility and which will enable them to
work appropriately and provide best performances to the organization (Lo Presti and Marino,
2019). Conflict management skill developed will able me to divide my work appropriately and
reduce any conflicts arising in between my tasks, specifically in the organization and my
teammates with whom I work. The skills which I will be acquiring are beneficial for both, me
and the organisation as it will enable me to perform in the most effective manner and move
further in my career towards the position of the CEO of Transport Malta. It will be beneficial for
the entity as I’ll be fulfilling my duties and job role in most efficient manner.

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References:
Books and Journal
Choy, W.K. and Chua, P.M., 2019. Professional development. In School Leadership and
Educational Change in Singapore (pp. 69-86). Springer, Cham.
Van Zyl, L.E. and Stander, M.W., 2019. Flourishing Interventions 2.0: A Practical Guide to
Student Development. In Positive Psychological Intervention Design and Protocols for
Multi-Cultural Contexts (pp. 435-448). Springer, Cham.
Law, D.P., 2020. Seventh National Development Plan (Zambia) annual budget funding amount
(Ghana) Africa Centre for Energy Policy Association of Consulting Engineers of
Zambia African Development Bank. Mining for Change: Natural Resources and
Industry in Africa.
Suleiman, M.M.H., 2019. Impact of Gender Related Legal Regulationson Pursuing Sustainable
Development: A Study Of Kuwait's National Development Plan (2035) (Master's thesis).
Fedorivna, A.Я.Ф.A.Y. and Fedorivna, L.N., 2019. THE PROBLEM OF PERSONAL
PROFESSIONAL PLAN DESIGNING BY STUDENTS. TECHNOLOGIES OF
INTELLECT DEVELOPMENT.3(3 (24)).
Aliaga-Herchel, P. and Aliaga Robles, J., 2019. UniBuddy-Business Development Plan.
Ramdi, O.D., 2019. ZCSPC faculty swot analysis: Basis for human capital development plan.
TRANS Asian Journal of Marketing & Management Research (TAJMMR). 8(9and10).
pp.13-28.
Roldán-Merino, J. and et. al., 2019. Development and psychometric properties of the assessment
questionnaire for the process of the tutorial action plan. Nurse education today.76.
pp.109-117.

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Lo Presti, L. and Marino, V., 2019. Is online public engagement a new challenge in the
university communication plan? A managerial perspective. Studies in Higher
Education, pp.1-18.