Report on Personal and Professional Development - Task 1 and 2

This report examines personal and professional development, focusing on self-managed learning, time management, and the creation of a personal development plan. Task 1 explores various learning styles (kinesthetic, auditory, visual, social), self-managed learning approaches (seminars, books, lectures, internet), and their benefits to individuals and organizations. It also identifies a work-based problem within an HR department and proposes training solutions to improve time management skills. Task 2 involves evaluating current skills, creating a new CV, identifying development needs, and devising a personal development plan with short- and long-term objectives. The report also discusses the documentation of planned activities and critically evaluates learning against the plan's aims and objectives, including updates based on feedback. Overall, the report emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and development for career advancement and organizational success.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
LO 1.1 Different approaches to self managed learning and their suitability with description
and use of different learning styles..............................................................................................1
LO 1.2 Identifying learning and development method and encouraging lifelong learning in
personal and professional context................................................................................................2
LO 1.3 Benefits of self managed learning to individual and the organization............................3
LO 4.1 Identifying the work based problem where solution requires individual training..........3
LO 4.2 Learning styles that can be implemented to overcome the identified problems and
communicating the information at various levels........................................................................4
LO 4.3 Different time management strategies and the way it helps individuals to manage their
time efficiently.............................................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
LO 2.1 Evaluating the current skills and competencies along with creating a new CV..............5
LO 2.2 Identifying personal and professional development needs along with the activities that
should be planned to meet them..................................................................................................6
LO 2.3 Development opportunities required to meet the current and future needs....................7
LO 2.4 Devising a personal development plan to achieve the intended goal..............................7
LO 3.1 Identifying short and long term objectives with process and activities required to
implement the development plan.................................................................................................8
LO 3.2 Documenting the planned activities................................................................................9
LO 3.3 Critically discussing own learning against the aim and objectives in PDP.....................9
LO 3.4 Updating PDP based on evaluation and feedback.........................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is all about collection and acquiring of those
skills by which individuals can enhance their knowledge and proficiencies for further career
advancement. In this, numerous learning opportunities and a variety of approaches are included
by which an individual can be developed in both; personal as well as in professional manner
(Lopper, 2007). With the help of this, people become competitive enough to meet any kind of
challenges through high level of confidence. In the present report, there will be a study on
different learning styles, self-managed learning and time management strategies. Apart from that,
a personal development portfolio will also be developed and discussed in the report.
TASK 1
LO 1.1 Different approaches to self managed learning and their suitability with description and
use of different learning styles
Many approaches are present that help in self managed learning to an individual. Some
common among them are explained as:
Seminars: This method proves to be very helpful in making individuals have self
managed learning. As in seminars, these are the professional and experienced people who give
training to group of individuals, thus, through this way, people can have specialized knowledge
and skills.
Books: Books are the best source of gaining knowledge as these provide the detailed
information about anything that individual wants in terms of grooming personally or
professionally (Reio, 2004).
Lectures: This method involves a mentor who instructs people through giving lectures on
some particular topic and individuals grab knowledge through that.
Internet: In today’s world, gathering information from online sources has become the
most convenient method for people as it is the fastest way of having data related to anything as
well as it is cheap too.
Along with that, there are different learning styles which prove to be very helpful in
making an individual personally and professionally developed. These styles are like:
Kinaesthetic or Physical – People who learn from this style generally interested in
performing the work practically. Their major interest is in the subjects like maths and science.
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Thus, this style involves performing the tasks rather than explaining them verbally (Fitzgerald
and et.al., 2009).
Auditory or Oral – As per this style, individuals learn by hearing the information, that is,
they learn in a verbal manner and not be seeing or doing things. These people are generally
interested in music.
Visual or Spatial – This style says that by seeing visual objects like charts, pictures and
graphs, some individuals learn easily. Without seeing something, they find things difficult to
understand.
Social or Interpersonal – According to this style, people are more interested in working
in groups. Thus, role plays prove to be the best in this style (Hilderbrand, 2011).
LO 1.2 Identifying learning and development method and encouraging lifelong learning in
personal and professional context
According to my skills and abilities, I can identify my learning and development method.
I am good at learning things through seeing graphs, charts and pictures. Thus, it will be
interesting for me to learn new skills and to have enhanced knowledge by visual style. There are
many ways by which people can learn different things and can get developed. Some of these
ways are like:
Training – It refers to enhancing the existing skills and abilities of an individual along
with imparting new knowledge and proficiencies to him. In this method, areas where the person
is lacking are identified and then learning is provided (Jetmore, 2005).
Mentoring – Under this method, individuals who require development personally and
professional are provided with one mentor who will check the skills and knowledge that is
needed in an individual and then guides and instructs him accordingly.
Observation – This proves to be one of the easiest however, time consuming method. In
observation, people are observed by their immediate superior and then give feedback as per the
performance of individual. They make individuals aware with the loopholes where they are
lacking and suggest them the way to improve those areas.
In order to encourage my lifelong learning in personal and professional context, I will
read books on regular basis as well as other secondary sources like journals, online articles, etc.
Through these ways, I will be in touch with the concepts that I need to learn and also, I can retain
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my knowledge in the long run (Koprowska, 2010). In addition to this, I’ll do practice of all skills
and the entire knowledge that I will learn so that lifelong, I would be able to use that.
LO 1.3 Benefits of self managed learning to individual and the organization
Self managed learning gives high value to individual liberties and states that people have
the right to live their life in the way they want. Many benefits are there that self managed
learning has to individuals and the organization. Some among them are like:
No time dependent – This benefit says that there is no time limit for self managed
learning. Thus, it can be practiced anytime when individual wants which means people will not
have to wait for classroom sessions or coaching, etc. Therefore self managed learning prove to
be very supportive in improving an individual personally and professionally at any stage of his
life (Agha, 2001).
Maintains a collaborative family culture – The most important benefit of self managed
learning to organization is that it maintains a culture in which people co-operate with each other
and perform their work with high level of efficiency.
Creates a healthy environment – Along with that, self managed learning helps an
organization in having a healthy working environment where employees would work with
willingness and positivity which ultimately leads high productivity and profits (Barlow, 2006).
LO 4.1 Identifying the work based problem where solution requires individual training
I have completed my post graduation this year only and joined Hilton hotel as the HR
(human resource) manager. There, I found one work based problem that employees in HR
department are very stressed out and work in pressure thus, their productivity and efficiency has
reduced. It is because; work load is very high on time and they assigned with the targets that they
have to accomplish within stipulated time period which is very less for them. This is the reason,
due to such a peak work load; employees of HR department of the hotel are stressed out.
Because of this issue, they are not ready to stay in the hotel in the long run and want to
leave the firm as soon as possible (Robinson and Carrington, 2002). For this, in order to make
people stay in the firm, it is needed for Hilton hotel to provide them training so that time
management skills can be enhanced in employees. With the help of training sessions, they would
be able to manage their time and work accordingly and will attain the targets within stipulated
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period given by the management. Solving this issue effectually is important otherwise, it may
lead to create sever issues for the running of organization.
LO 4.2 Learning styles that can be implemented to overcome the identified problems and
communicating the information at various levels
In order to overcome the identified problem, various learning styles are available. As the
major work based problem in Hilton hotel is that employees are very stressed out so, learning
styles like social or interpersonal and solitary or intrapersonal style will be helpful. These styles
would prove to be supportive because in these styles, teamwork and proper coordination among
employees will be required. These are as follows:
Interpersonal style – This style helps in making employees aware with the important and
advantage of working in a team. Through this style, people become willing to coordinate with
each other and for make individuals comfortable; tool of role play plays a significant role
(Ehiyazaryan and Barraclough, 2009). By working in a team, employees become more efficient
as they learn the specialized knowledge and skills of others which makes them confident and
willing to work more. Thus, it ultimately reduces the stress from them and they work with high
enthusiasm.
Intrapersonal style – If employees of Hilton hotel would adopt this style in the firm, they
will be become capable enough to deal with their issues and in solving them effectually. People
following this style do not like work in teams or groups. They work alone and find solutions by
themselves only. In this style, efficiency of employees depends upon the perception that they
have regarding the work and thus, they perform accordingly. If this style will be followed in
Hilton hotel, employees will become competent enough to tackle their issues with confidence.
At strategic level, method of PowerPoint presentations or conferences can be used for
making the employees learn (Jetmore, 2005). With the help of this, employers at top level will
also understand the important of these styles and they will make their employees learn through
these ways. Along with that, at tactical level, method of e-mail can be used in order to keep
employees updated and to make them aware with the flow of information. Through e-mails,
communication will become fast. However, at operational level, method of sending notices can
be used to working people, that is, workers by which they will be made aware with the
information in an easy manner (Knight and Yorke, 2013).
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LO 4.3 Different time management strategies and the way it helps individuals to manage their
time efficiently
There are different time management strategies by which individuals can effectually
manage their time. Some of them are like:
Making lists – It is one of the most effective ways of managing time in which lists can be
prepared so as to note down the tasks that have to be performed and then accordingly doing it in
a sequence as per their importance.
Concentrating on a single work at a time – Instead of performing two or more tasks at a
time, concentrating on one single task prove to be more effective as it consumes less time as well
as efficiency is more (Throop and Castellucci, 2010).
Setting personal deadlines – By setting personal deadlines and matching the standard
with the set targets is also an effective way of managing time. It increases the confidence and self
reliability in an individual.
TASK 2
LO 2.1 Evaluating the current skills and competencies along with creating a new CV
As I wish to work in Hotel Marriott as a HR (human resource) manager, I need many
skills. At present, I am efficient in some of the proficiencies like:
 Communication
 Team work
 Integrity
Still, some of the skills are there which are needed. These are:
 Problem solving
 Decision making
Curriculum Vitae
John Watson
43, Mallet Street, London
Phone No.: [phone]
E mail:
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Career objective
I am a well disciplined and a hard working person with having a strong qualification
background. I possess knowledge in the field of human resource management and aspire to
pursue my career in this field. My aim is to enhance my proficiencies in the same field and to
solve problems of human resource department of the organization with bringing profits in it.
Academic Qualifications
 I have completed graduation in bachelor of business management and post graduation,
that is, management business administration (MBA) with specialisation in the field of
human resource (HR) from London University.
Extra Curricular Activities
 Participated in seminars, workshops, business games and debates.
 Also, done business plans.
Achievements
 Got first prize in inter college competition of debate.
 Ranked first in post graduation in college.
Languages known
 English
 German
Strengths
 Effective leadership
 Ability to work in teams
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the entire information provided above is true to my knowledge.
LO 2.2 Identifying personal and professional development needs along with the activities that
should be planned to meet them
Some personal and professional development needs that I require along with the activities
which are needed to be planned in order to meet them are mentioned as below:
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PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
ACTIVITIES REQUIRED TO BE
PLANNED TO MEET THEM
Time management Preparing lists, prioritizing tasks and
scheduling the work
Problem solving Negotiation and persuasion
Communication Reading books, training, coaching, seminars
and conferences
LO 2.3 Development opportunities required to meet the current and future needs
For meeting my current and future needs, many development opportunities are available
that can be used. By working with a group of people or in a team, I can increase my team spirit
which will help me in gaining the results in an effective manner as through this, it will gain many
new skills and knowledge from other members who are specialized in some or the other field
(Tomlinson, 2004). Being the HR manager in Hilton hotel, in order to develop my leadership
skills, I will have training sessions in which through different activities like management games,
leadership skills are taught. These activities also include assigning many tasks for making the
individual able enough to perform the deal with all tasks and to manage them. Along with that,
one more current and future need of mine is to have strong decision making skill. Through
attending various workshops and training programs, this skill of mine can be enhanced (Mills,
2013). The most effective way for amending the skill of decision making is of solving case
studies.
LO 2.4 Devising a personal development plan to achieve the intended goal
Learning
objective
Current
proficiency
Target
proficiency
Development
opportunity
Criteria for
judging
success
Time scale
Delegation
of
authorities
I have good
knowledge
about the
objective that
I need to
I will assess
the existing
skills of
employees
and then
By the method
of observation
and
communication
.
Success can
be judged by
assessing that
whether the
objective is
Three to five
months
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achieve but, I
am unable to
delegate the
work to
employees in
an
appropriate
manner.
according to
their
strengths and
areas interest,
I will assign
them the
tasks and
duties to
perform.
attained
within
stipulated
time period or
not.
Problem
solving skill
I am good at
solving the
issues of
employees
but still, when
the problem
is complex, I
find difficulty
and approach
the top
management.
I want to
handle these
kinds of
situations
without
consulting to
the top
management
and to make
the
employees
satisfied
(Reio, 2004).
Through
attending
training
programs on
this skill, by
participating in
management
games and
handling
queries for
solving case
studies.
I can judge
the
effectiveness
of my skill by
checking
whether all
employees
are satisfied
with the
given
solution by
me for the
issue or not
for.
Seven
months
LO 3.1 Identifying short and long term objectives with process and activities required to
implement the development plan
NEEDS ACTIVITIES
SHORT TERM NEEDS
PROBLEM SOLVING  With the help of effective negotiation,
this skill can be improved.
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TIME MANAGEMENT  Making lists of tasks
 Prioritizing the tasks to be performed
 Scheduling the work
LONG TERM NEEDS
LEADERSHIP  Taking initiatives for the activities that
have to be performed in groups.
 Providing guidance, support and
instructions (Lopper, 2007).
DECISION MAKING  For this, having responsibilities and
authority are required.
 Solving case studies and quizzes.
LO 3.2 Documenting the planned activities
In order to undertake and develop my skills, I would need many resources through to
achieve my target will become easy and my skills can be developed. In order to amend my short
term objectives like problem solving and time management, some resources will be required like
books and management games through which I will be able to bring solutions of the problems.
Through books, I will read the way to tackle the complex situations. For time management skill,
I will require pen, paper, notepad, diaries in which I will prioritize my work and tasks according
to their importance to be completed first (Fitzgerald and et.al., 2009). On the other hand, in my
long term needs like decision making and leadership, I would need resources like papers for case
studies along with pen, a room for training, human resource (the trainer) and other physical
assets. All these resources will help me indirectly so that I can achieve my personal and
professional goals in Hilton hotel.
LO 3.3 Critically discussing own learning against the aim and objectives in PDP
With the help of taking feedback from others, I found that there still some skills in which
I am lacking even after learning so many new proficiencies. Thus, I still need to work on those
areas where in am lacking. The foremost among them is that of analytical skills in which not that
good. Along with that, I am still not able to manage my time effectually and used to become
panic when I have two or more than two tasks simultaneously (Hilderbrand, 2011). Just having
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good leadership and decision making skill is not enough to work at the position of HR manager
in Hilton hotel. To have strong interpersonal communication and team work are also required in
order to work at this position in an effective manner.
LO 3.4 Updating PDP based on evaluation and feedback
With the help of evaluation and feedback, I have updated my personal development plan
which is stated as below:
NEEDS ACTIVITIES RESOURCES
SHORT TERM NEEDS
PROBLEM SOLVING  Through making
negotiation, the problem
solving skill can be
improved.
 Also, persuasion proves to
be helpful in making a
person able to persuade,
that is, influence the other
in order to make him agree
with his statements
(Jetmore, 2005).
 Books
 Management
games
 Quizzes
 Ice breaking
games
 Puzzles
TIME MANAGEMENT  Making lists of the tasks
that need to be performed.
 Prioritizing them as per
their importance.
 Scheduling the work
according to available
time.
 Spare time to
plan things
 Diaries, pen,
notepads, etc.
LONG TERM NEEDS
LEADERSHIP  Taking initiatives for the
activities that have to be
 Effective
controlling
 Good
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performed in groups.
 Providing guidance,
support and instructions.
 Making others influence
with the statement of
leader.
communication
 Motivation
through
providing
rewards
DECISION MAKING  For this, having
responsibilities and
authority are required
(Koprowska, 2010).
 Person has to have entire
information about the
subject for which decision
is to be made.
 Person needs to be in the
situation to understand the
entire scenario.
 Role plays
 Complete
knowledge
about the
situation
 Group
discussion
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that in this competitive scenario where
competition has become so intense, to have various skills and to develop personally and
professionally is required to a high extent. Thus, in order to sustain and survive with the dynamic
environment, having personal and professional development is necessary. There are different
methods that have been discussed above which can be used in order to enhance the skills,
abilities and knowledge of individuals at an easy and fast pace. From this report, I have inferred
that for attaining my goal and objective in an effectual manner, the personal development plan
proves to be very helpful.
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