Developing a Personal Development Plan: A Case Study

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PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................2
LO1........................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 APPROACHES TO SELF-MANAGED LEARNING................................................................3
1.2 WAYS TO ENCOURAGE LIFELONG LEARNING.................................................................4
1.3 BENEFITS OF SELF-MANAGED LEARNING TO INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANIZATIONS..........5
LO2........................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 EVALUATE OWN CURRENT SKILLS AGAINST PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND
OBJECTIVES.......................................................................................................................... 7
2.2 IDENTIFY OWN DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND THE ACTIVITIES NEEDED TO MEET THEM. 8
2.3 IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT FOR MEETING CURRENT AND FUTURE
NEEDS...................................................................................................................................9
2.4 PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN BASED ON IDENTIFIES NEEDS. . .9
LO3......................................................................................................................................... 12
3.1 PROCESS AND ACTIVITIES NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN...........12
3.2 DOCUMENT THE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AS PER THE PLAN...................................13
3.3 REFLECT OWN LEARNING AGAINST THE OBJECTIVES SET IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
........................................................................................................................................... 13
3.4 UPDATE THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN THROUGH FEEDBACK AND EVALUATION..............14
LO4......................................................................................................................................... 17
4.1 SELECT SOLUTIONS TO WORK-BASED PROBLEMS........................................................17
4.2 COMMUNICATE VARIETY OF STYLES AND MANNER AT DIFFERENT LEVELS.................17
4.3 APPLY EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR TIME-MANAGEMENT............................................19
CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................... 20
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................... 21
1

INTRODUCTION
The concept of learning and its process is discussed in the report along with evaluating
various approaches related to the process of self-managed learning of an individual. How
the learning process of the individual can be motivated are explained in the report clearly.
The advantages of the process of self-learning to the business organization as well as to the
individuals of the company are examined. The report further explained the current
professional and personal skills of the individual concerning the standards set by the
organization for fulfilling its objectives in the market. A plan for professional, as well as the
personal development of the individuals, are made by identifying the needs of the business
entity. The activities and procedure required for implementing the plan of development of
the individuals within the business entity. The problems of the business organization are
analyzed within the report along with discussing different styles of communication.
2

LO1
The process of lifelong learning by the individual is discussed in the meeting by me as a
Membership and visitor welcome manager of The National Trust. The advantages that can
be derived from the process of self-managed learning along with describing the professional
and personal development of the individuals in the National Trust.
1.1 APPROACHES TO SELF-MANAGED LEARNING
The procedure of developing the capabilities and skills by one's efforts is known as self-
managed learning. The process of self-managed learning helps an individual in maintaining
his current performance level along with continuously improving his growth potential for his
career and future development (Cunningham, 2017). The various approaches that can be
used by the individual for managing the learning process are described as follows:
Mentoring: The process of getting expertize knowledge and guidance while working under
an expert or professional is known as mentoring (Business Dictionary, 2019). It is an
effective approach of self-managed learning which helps the individual in getting specialized
knowledge along with clearing the doubts and questions at the same time. The subject gets
very clear in the mind of the learner with the help of mentoring approach of learning and
behavior by an individual.
Internet/Social network: The social media network and online courses are very helpful in
gaining various knowledge about different skills which can help an individual in learning
wide areas of knowledge. These skills and abilities include English and other language
learning and speaking, dancing, cooking, painting, driving, etc. The social media sites are
easily available for the person which include different sites such as Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, etc. which can widen the scope of the learning process of an individual.
Seminars and Conferences: This is another method or approach of self-managed learning
which can help the individual in learning different skills and abilities effectively. The
conferences are the meeting held for providing knowledge about a particular topic by an
expert to the crowd (Hard, 2019). The knowledge or information in a seminar or conference
3

can be given in the form of presentation or speech which help the individual in increasing
his confidence level.
1.2 WAYS TO ENCOURAGE LIFELONG LEARNING
The procedure of continuous and ongoing learning helps the individual in assessing new
abilities and knowledge is known as a lifelong learning process (Tingjuike, 2018). The staff of
the National Trust can be motivated for the lifelong learning process by me as a
Membership and visitor welcome manager. This process will assist the members of the trust
in serving their visitors in a better manner which include different ways of learning the
process of lifelong learning that is explained as follows:
Self-directed learning
The process of self-directed includes the method where the members of the trust are
encouraged to improve their learning skills and knowledge. This knowledge can be learned
by the individual with the assistance of various styles of learning which include the VARK
model, Honey and Mumford model of learning, Kolb’s learning model, etc.
Continuing professional development
Another method of lifelong learning includes continuing professional development where
the performance and skills of the staff are continuously monitored by the manager of the
National Trust by keeping their perfect record. The manager then gives feedback based on
the results of monitoring of the skills of the staff which help the trust in achieving its goals
effectively.
Achievement and motivation
The employees and staff of the National Trust are encouraged towards the lifelong learning
process with the help of motivation and achievement approach. The staff of the National
Trust can be encouraged for lifelong learning by providing them motivation means which
include healthy and positive work environment, reward, emulations, bonus, and other
monetary benefits, appreciation and recognition, etc.
As a manager of the National Trust, I will use the achievement and motivation method for
encouraging my subordinates to work for better performance by using a lifelong learning
process for their overall development.
4

1.3 BENEFITS OF SELF-MANAGED LEARNING TO
INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANIZATIONS
The procedure where the individual focus on his overall development for providing benefits
to himself as well as to the business organization is known as self-managed learning. There
are various types of benefits which can be derived from the self-managed learning to the
organization as well as to the individuals which are described as follows:
BENEFITS TO THE INDIVIDUAL:
 Self-managed learning has the benefit of the development of the individual with
skills such as initiative, self-confidence, life satisfaction, and perseverance.
 The members of the National Trust will be able to analyze their strengths and
weaknesses with the assistance of SWOT analysis which will further help them in
reducing their weaknesses and threats and assess the opportunities of the market in
a better manner.
 The staff of the National Trust will be able to face the challenges of the day to day
operations in a better manner along with developing qualities such as self-
awareness, ambiguity, self-conscience, etc.
BENEFITS TO THE ORGANIZATION:
 The improvement in the qualities and skills of the staff at the National Trust will help
the trust in providing exceptional services to its visitors which increase the
satisfaction level of the visitors and increase their visit in the trust.
 There will no or very minimum need of supervision and direction to the employees a
staff at the National Trust which will free the managers for other important work of
the trust.
 The improvement in the skills and capabilities of the staff with the help of self-
managed learning will promote teamwork within the trust which will assist the
management in fulfilling the goals of the National Trust in an efficient manner.
Form the above analysis, it can be easily said that the process of self-managed learning will
allow the staff in improving their skills and management which will help the National Trust
in earning popularity in success in the market by fulfilling the needs of the visitors
appreciably.
5

LO2
2.1 EVALUATE OWN CURRENT SKILLS AGAINST
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVES
CURRENT SKILLS PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BUSINESS OBJECTIVES OF
THE NATIONAL TRUST
LEADERSHIP SKILLS: I have
the skills of leading my team
and subordinates in a better
manner so that the common
goals can be achieved in a
better manner.
The individual must possess
effectively qualities of
leading the team who
encourage the members of
the team to improve their
work skills and create a
cooperative working
environment.
The manager of the National
Trust should have
exceptional motivational and
leading characteristics which
will help the organization in
achieving its organizational
objectives and aims
efficiently.
DECISION-MAKING SKILLS: I
have perfect skills of
deciding by analyzing the
conditions and situations of
the market along with
analyzing the relevant data
and information.
The quality of individual
should effectively include the
appropriate decision-making
skills which can help the
business organization in
resolving the current and
future problems effectively.
The National Trust manager
should have qualified
decision-making skills which
can help the organization in
foreseeing its future aspects
of growth and success in the
market and take decisions
for long term success and
operations of the trust.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: I
also have excellent
communication skills which
help me in dealing with
people inside and outside
the business organization
effectively.
In the communication skills,
the individual should be
efficient in both the verbal
and non-verbal
communication methods
along with the knowledge of
gestures and posters while
The manager of the National
Trust must have exceptional
communication skills along
with the skills of listening
and responding. He must
know a different language to
deal with different visitors
6

communicating. and he should be open to
talking with everyone.
2.2 IDENTIFY OWN DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND THE
ACTIVITIES NEEDED TO MEET THEM
IMPROVEMENT NEEDED WAYS TO IMPROVE SKILLS
LEADERSHIP SKILLS For enhancing my skills of leading a group a
people I must learn to follow. I will take
more responsibilities for my team and its
members for developing my leadership skills.
I will motivate and encourage my team
members for improving their level of
satisfaction in the work and operations of
the organization.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS I will improve my skills of communicating
within the National Trust as a manager by
working on my gestures and postures. I will
take feedback about my communication
qualities to form my followers for knowing
that they understand my talking manner or
not. I can take online classes and courses for
working on my vocabulary.
PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS The skills of resolving the problems will be
improved by me by assisting my senior and
focusing on his problem-solving skills. I will
take pressures for completing the urgent
work and believe in my ability. I will improve
my confidence level for resolving the issues
of trust efficiently.
7

2.3 IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT FOR
MEETING CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS
The opportunities for the development can be used by the manager of the National Trust for
achieving the aims and goals of the trust in a better manner by learning about the current
and future requirements of personal development.
SWOT analysis is a great tool which can be used by me for assessing the needs of my
development in the current and future scenarios. The threats and weaknesses in the way of
my development can be evaluated by me with the assistance of SWOT analysis in an
efficient manner. These threats will be reduced and the weaknesses will be overcome by me
with my strengths and opportunities.
I have excellent leadership and communication skills but there are low customer satisfaction
skills and problem-solving skills in me. These skills will be learned by me while working as a
manager at the National Trust which has many opportunities for developing current
strengths and overcoming my weaknesses which will lead to my overall growth and
development.
To serve the trust in a better manner I will work on my problem-solving skills and low
customers satisfaction skills. I will increase my productivity as a manager of the National
Trust for the advantage of the trust along with the perspective of developing my career in
the future.
2.4 PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
BASED ON IDENTIFIES NEEDS
IMPROVEME
NT NEEDED
CURRENT
SITUATION
AIMS
OBJECTIVE
S
OPPORTUNITI
ES FOR
DEVELOPMEN
T
STRATEGIES
FORMULATED
TIME
REQUIRE
D
MONITORI
NG AN
EVALUATI
ON
LEADERSHIP
SKILLS
I have
excellent
leadership
qualities
which help
The main
motive is to
widen the
scope of
learning of
The goals and
objectives of
the National
Trust can be
achieved
As a manager
and leaders of
the National
Trust, I will use
the Maslow’s
Three
months
The
process of
monitoring
within the
National
8

me in
efficiently
leading my
team along
with
increasing
their job
satisfaction
level by
creating a
positive work
environment.
the
subordinat
es for
improving
their
productivit
y for the
benefit of
the trust as
a whole.
effectively
with the
leadership
skills of the
managers
within the
trust which
will help in
increasing the
growth and
profitability of
the trust over
some time.
Hierarchy of
needs for
understanding
the current and
future
requirements
of my followers
and
subordinates
and motivate
them to
accomplish the
desired goals of
the trust.
Trust will
include
continuous
feedback
and
response
to the
current
performan
ce for
making
regular
improveme
nts.
COMMUNICA
TION SKILLS
My skills of
communicati
on which help
me in
maintaining
the strong
interpersonal
relationship
for the
organization.
The main
aim is to
enhance
the
confidence
level with
the
assistance
of skills of
communica
tion while
interacting
with the
visitors as
well as the
staff.
The effective
communicatio
n skills will
result in
transparency
within the
working
situations of
the National
Trust which
will allow the
staff in
coordinating
with each
other in a
better way.
There are
various
methods which
can help me in
improving my
communication
skills which
include
language
learning
classes, online
lectures,
reading books,
newspaper,
etc.
which will lead
to the overall
One
month
The
monitoring
can be
done by
me by
asking for
feedback
and
responses
from my
team
members,
seniors,
and visitors
about my
interaction
skills and
9

growth of the
trust
(Valentine,
2018).
their
understand
ing.
PROBLEM-
SOLVING
SKILLS
I also have
satisfactory
problem
resolving
capabilities
but I
sometimes
get nervous
in the critical
situations and
urgency of
the
situations.
The main
motive is to
assess the
opportuniti
es on time
and resolve
the current
and future
issues
within the
required
time frame
for
avoiding
further
issues and
problems.
The
popularity of
the
organization
can be
enhanced
along with
increasing the
growth and
revenue of
the
organization
as a whole
along with
resulting in a
high retention
rate of the
staff.
I will improve
my problem-
solving skills by
working under
my senior and
take their
advice along
with asking
them for giving
me work for
the critical
situation of
trust.
Two
months
The
monitoring
process
will include
the results
of my
performan
ce and its
impact on
the trust of
my seniors
and giving
me
feedback
about the
same.
10

LO3
3.1 PROCESS AND ACTIVITIES NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT
THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
I can fulfill my objective of personal development with the help of a development plan
which is explained as follows:
Setting targets
I need to improve my leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills for
which I will take various steps that include online courses, self-learning, induction, and
training.
Prioritize targets
The above targets will be prioritized by me as per their preference and need according to
the period. The activities and functions included in the process of achieving these targets
will be taken into consideration while deciding their priority and analyzing their sequences.
Implementing the action plan
After prioritizing the targets, I will implement an action plan which will initiate the
procedure of improvements in the skills and capabilities possessed by me that are
communication capabilities, problem-solving skills, and leadership qualities.
Time management
When these activities will be conducted by me, the main concern will be given to the time
management. It is necessary to improve the capabilities within the period set by the
development plan so that I can get the maximum benefits in the form of efficiencies.
Assessment of the activities
The last and final stage in the process is an assessment of activities where the deviations
from the standards set are evaluated by comparing them with the actuals to take control
measures for improving my skills and capabilities.
11