Reflective Personal Development Report and Journal: Core Skills

This report, a reflective personal development report and journal, examines four core skills: public speaking, time management, assertiveness, and teamwork. It begins by defining each skill and explaining its importance, supported by relevant theories and concepts. The report then reflects on the author's current competence in each skill, using self-assessment findings and feedback to identify strengths and weaknesses. Contradictions between self-perception and external feedback are explored, followed by an analysis of how each skill might aid future professional development. The report emphasizes the importance of effective communication, conflict resolution, and efficient task management. The author acknowledges weaknesses in public speaking and time management, and outlines strategies for improvement, highlighting the significance of assertiveness in a business environment. The report demonstrates the importance of self-reflection and continuous improvement in professional development.

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Boud et al. (2006) acknowledge that reflection is referring to an analysis of the social
and political taken-for-granted, both traditional and modern.
The following portfolio is focused on the four core skills: public speaking, time
management, assertiveness and teamwork. Each skill in part A is examined taking
into consideration my competency and explained in the context of both educational
and expert tool-kits. The tool-kits which are used in this assignment are connected to
the skills that I will use to reflect on different areas together with the results from my
colleagues and friends.
The final part B presents my weaknesses and strengths that have learnt from the
above core skill analysis. The failings that are displayed will take place in an action
for improvement and achieve goals.
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Public Speaking
What is the core skill to develop?
It is referred to as a skill which involves process of delivering speech to the live
audience. The skill of being able to communicate with crowd which has gathered.
This public speaking skill is possessed by leaders and helps in providing
information’s to larger number of people at a single time (Maddux and Kleiman,
2012).
.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use
relevant theories and concepts to support your answer)
To expertise at public speaking skills one needs ideal communication tactics so that
connection with target audience can be established. This skill is crucial to win over a
crowd which has gathered to hear a speaker. Public speaking skills in organisation
can assist in motivating an individual to perform better. This skill can be further
engaged as a change driver in an organisation and fulfilling objectives. It redefines
the capacity to inform people relating to new ideas and pitches. An employee can
make ideal use of this skill to get attention of executives and assuring that his idea is
accepted. A good listener is always considered as an effective speaker. If a person
may listen in appropriate manner, then they can easily eliminate any kind of barriers
which is faced by him. Public speaking skill show that how an individual is
expressing and talking in front of entire business organization. This will also help in
transferring various important data and accurate information without any kind of
disruption. Apart from this, it is most effective method which help in making a mutual
understanding between subordinates as well as supervisors.

Reflect on your current competent regarding this skill. How did you assess
your competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers
and your tutor, plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and
behaviours to answer this question)
I am very bad at public speaking, because according to Belbin 2004 I am
scared to stand in front of an audience. See Appendix 7
I am good listener as I know how to transfer the important information as well as
accurate data by maintaining its quality in most systematic manner that is used by
enterprise. Apart from this, other quality of mine is that I have good command over
speaking and writing that assist in transmitting right information to the correct person
within given period of time. Thus, the message is very important that is interacted
between them.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is
there a match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not?
I have one major drawback that I don't know how to write good content that may
influence people directly through my public speaking skills. I seek to overcome with
this problem so, that I can complete my activities and practices in most appropriate
manner in given time period without facing issue that influence the growth of the firm.
It can also make a major risk for me thus, it is important to develop my public
speaking skills.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your
argument)
This skill will help at the time when I had to deliver any presentation or at the time
when I will become leader. This will help an individual motivating the masses and
influencing the views and opinion prior to the presentation (Salvatore and et. al.,
2012).
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Assertiverness
What is the core skill to develop?
Assertiveness is a skill which refers to communication and social capability of an
individual (Gonzales and Hancock, 2011). The person in this approach will be able to
successfully convey one's thoughts and feeling without hurting other's emotions and
feelings.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use
relevant theories and concepts to support your answer)
This is referred to be an important skill as communication effectively has its own
advantages on professional and personal grounds. Another crucial approach which
can be availed through this approach is resolution of conflicts which occur in an
organisation. It assist in communication ideas and opinions to others in an honest
and fair manner (Maddux and Kleiman, 2012). I have opted for this skill as being
confident and self-assured can only be achieved through being self-assertive
exclusively.
Reflect on your current competent regarding this skill. How did you assess
your competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers
and your tutor, plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and
behaviours to answer this question)
The competence of me being assertive is fair. I am being successful in delivering my
views and opinions to others. It has been communicated to me by my peers that I am
capable to delivering what I feel to the concerned person without being getting
aggressive. The conflicts which arise on regular basis are mostly moderated by me.
Therefore it is can be said that I possess adequate amount of assertiveness in me.
Another which I have self-reflected is that I tend to experience situation of conflicts
pretty less which determines level of assertiveness I have in me. The tool which is
employed to measure the level of this skill is assertiveness quiz which made me
aware about amount of assertiveness acquired by me (Salvatore and et. al., 2012).
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is
there a match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not?
It can be said that there is a contradiction I the manner how I perceive that and other

see me. I perceived myself being assertiveness whereas other sees me as an
aggressive person. The avoidance of conflicts was generally happening as people
were scared of my aggression (Sosik and Cameron, 2010). But since I am being
aware about it, I am trying to alter my behaviour for good and trying to be less
aggressive and more sensitive towards others.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your
argument)
It is essential to improve state of assertiveness so that I can communicate ideally to
my mentors and co-workers. The people around me can be understood in a better
manner with rise of assertiveness. It will enhance my capability of dealing with
difficult circumstance and communicated my opinion without use of aggression. The
contradiction between me and other can be reduced with the help of development of
this skill. In a business environment tool of assertiveness stands crucial and right
communication provides numerous opportunities for growth (Wiklund Gustin and
Wagner, 2013).
Time management
What is the core skill?
Time-management is one of the core skills which has been selected by me. It is
referred to a skill which takes into consideration organising and planning of activities
involved in a task (Crone and Dahl, 2012). It aims to shift focus on activities which
are important for task rather than working blindly.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use
relevant theories and concepts to support your answer)
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I have identified that time-management skill is one of most important capability which
is to be possessed by an individual. It carries the power to influence success and
failure relating to a project. Development of this skill helps in forming a balance
between personal and professional life (Derlaga and Berg, 2013). The another
reason for which this skill stands crucial is that it can lead to a significant
improvement in productivity and ultimately leading to improved performance. Time-
management relating to a project will lead to better planning and management which
will lead to lesser amount of stress relating to an individual.
Reflect on your current competent regarding this skill. How did you assess
your competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers
and your tutor, plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and
behaviours to answer this question)
I have accepted that I do not possess appropriate time management skills. Therefore
it is very important to nourish this skill so that I will be able to complete provided task
in the right manner. I tend to panic on situation which ultimately lowers my capacity
to plan things and perform them in the way they should be performed. Upon asking
for feedback from peers and tutor I have identified the discrepancy from existing
level of competence and required one. I have trouble accomplishing task and
projects on stated deadlines and most of the time I sought extension relating to
projects. The attendance report is another feedback which assists in identifying level
of time-management tactics which are possessed by me.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is
there a match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not?
There is a lesser contradiction in the manner in which manager perceive me and I
see myself. We both are aware of how poor my time-management skills are. There is
a need of improving time-management skills otherwise I won’t be able to build a
successful career and ultimately It will also affect my personal life as well. There is a
need for prioritising tasks and activities so that better career and personal life can be
built (Fisher and et. al., 2011).
How will this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your
argument)
It can easily be seen that time-management skill are most crucial skill when looking

to improve scope of personal and professional life. The tasks and activities which will
be provided to me can be best achieved when they are systematically planned and
executed (Foucault, Davidson and Burchell, 2010). The control over one’s personal
and professional life can be achieved when enhancing this approach. The situation
of panic which is encountered by me can be best achieved with the help of time-
management skills.
Teamwork
What is the core skill?
I require developing my team working skill that assists in building stronger
relationship with other individual for accomplishing desired targets in a set period of
time that too smoothly. Team work is defined to be a competence of an individual
relating to working in a group to achieve desired shared objectives (Fisher and et.
al., 2011). It can also be referred to be an approach which states willingness of
number of people to work together to achieve common aim.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use
relevant theories and concepts to support your answer)
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Working in team is essential for managing the collaboration and helps in building
trust in each other. It assists in accomplishing goals with a proper mutual
understanding. Team work is referred to a most important armoury which is
possessed by an organisation. People in a team when work efficiently could lead to
attainment of goals in an improved manner. I have opted for this skill so that it
increases my performance in team efforts and carries a positive impact upon other
crucial skills such as coordination and communication. The better understanding of
teamwork helps in strengths and weakness which further leads to attainment of
objectives of the company (Foucault, Davidson and Burchell, 2010.).
Reflect on your current competent regarding this skill. How did you assess
your competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers
and your tutor, plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and
behaviours to answer this question)
Leaders have a team working ability that assists in dealing with any kind of
situations in effective way and also communicate them for knowing their perception
and views (Derlaga and Berg, 2013). It is that quality which assists in increasing the
confidence of workers as well as motivation individuals for accomplishing desired
goals and objectives within the firm which ensure higher profitability for the firm in the
longer run. I have been able to work well in teams and been able to achieve
outstanding results. The coordination and cooperation among team members helped
in achieving desired results (Crone and Dahl, 2012). The amount of dedication and
commitment that I have put in bound to achieve favourable outcomes.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is
there a match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not?
I have a great attitude and I am continuously helping my partners which will help
them resolving their problems and by this they can achieve profits. They can take
use of higher advanced technologies and innovative activities which is essential for
attaining targets. I evaluated that Pioneer required developing effective
communication skills among higher to lower management levels. Leaders are the
individuals who are having the role of encouraging and inspiring others so that they
can easily achieve the desired targets (Crone and Dahl, 2012). They are focusing on
enhancing their skills and attributes for better functioning of each work. Leaders
assist in increasing the confidence level of the whole team. For analysing I can utilise

management attitudes which helps in attaining objectives and goals for taking use of
team working skills. Managers are the individuals that are responsible for
maintaining the relations between employees and employers. I am being known to
emphasize much on communication part while working in a team. However I
perceive me as following autocratic approach which tend to be a major contradiction
on the manner I perceive myself and other see me.
How will this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your
argument)
Team working skill is essential for me as it will assist me in achieving the goals and
objective on time that too smoothly. This skill will showcase internal quality of mine
for which I can work in collaboration with other team members in appropriate way by
developing trust in each other. Knowledge assists in resolving any type of complex
situations. It also assists in the way that an individual can communicate with others
in more effective ways. It also helps team members in selecting right paths which will
help in their working mechanism. Ethical duties help in making the environment
positive.
Summary and Action Plan:
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For increasing my skills and knowledge, I need to get to know about different
available opportunities that are beneficial for me so that I can easily establish my place in
business. The various reflective journals assist in identifying the proper or lawful
arrangement with the target that I can complete on fixed period of time. Apart from this, it
encourages me in increasing my level of performance by performing all the activities and
task in systematic manner (Salvatore and et. al., 2012). Along this, I can do SWOT analysis
that assist in analysing my existing qualities and weaknesses which are explained as under:
Strengths: By the administration viewpoint, the colleagues need to adopt various
development programmes to attain best outcomes and by getting proper inspiration they
can achieve desired set of goals and objectives. It also assists in improving, adaptability and
advancing so that their level of performance increase in different circumstance. I need to
control fluency level over my language by having appropriate command on it, which is very
useful in creating strong understanding between all members (Sosik and Cameron, 2010).
They need to more aware about the existing issues and problems that will help them in
overcoming from any kind of circumstance. This method is most suitable tool to accomplish
goals and objectives in certain period of time in minimum cost. Apart from this, the biggest
strengths of mine is that I react very claim in any panic situation for eliminating existing risk
and problem. Therefore, I’m always ready to face difficult challenges and situations and give
better outcomes at workplace.
Weakness: My biggest weakest point is that I cannot handle large number of people
at the time this is biggest challenge for me. The major challenges which are encountered by
me are assertiveness and time-management skills. It is essential to provide them with
emphasis and time so that they can be nourished and ultimately leading to achievement of
personal and professional goals (Sosik and Cameron, 2010). The challenges are further
resurrected by a personal development plan at the end of this report. Pioneers have very
difficult and hard responsibility. Along with this, if any kind of issue and problem arises then
I will be responsible for entire disappointment. During transmitting process some important
information and data will got miss due to which work load increase at work place. The
performance level will be decrease because of lack of communication between all members.
Sometimes certain issues and problems won't be tackled due to low experience. The
examination should be done in proper manner which help to accomplish desired goals and

objectives in less time. If this process will be done effectively then work load will be reduce
and the level of profitability and performance will be increased within the business
organisation (Wiklund Gustin and Wagner, 2013).
Controversy: It is essential process of correspondence. If I have extraordinary,
relevant abilities and lawful information about everything then I will easily manage all the
circumstance in positive way. By enhancing abilities, I can promote my skills of interacting in
different groups. If the positive and healthy argument take place between all the group
members then it directly provide new ideas, updated information and unique thoughts that
may be beneficial in future.
Inventiveness: This process is related with the authority aptitudes. It is very
important that a Pioneer should have some innovative skills. Thus, I have some certain
inventive thoughts and ideas for getting better result in fixed time period. I have legislation
assets for performing my work and task in most effective manner and this will be going to
assist me in enhancing my focus and attention. Leader is a person who is head of the team
and all members of group are encourage and motivated through their supervisors. Thus, I
need to improve my learning skills and knowledge by observing different things and by
attending many sessions. If any individual have all the required skills and abilities then they
can easily overcome with existing issues and problems in less time period. I have relevant
capacity and aptitudes to deal in different circumstance to attain desired goals and
objectives in most effective and suitable manner. For handling large number of people at
the same time, a person need to adopt various different ideas and unique thinking for
gaining best outcomes from them.
Personal Development Plan
Time-management skills
listing numerous ways through which time management skills could be improved are
as follows:
 Making a list of necessary tasks can help in formulating right planning for activities.
 Deadlines are to be set up so that tasks can be accomplish from actual deadline.
 It is essential to focus exclusively on a single task.
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