University Module: Personal and Professional Development Skills Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of personal and professional development. It begins by exploring self-managed learning approaches, discussing seminars, social platforms, and the internet as tools for enhancing knowledge and skills. The report then delves into the importance of lifelong learning, emphasizing continuous self-evaluation and the role of effective leadership and communication in fostering individual and organizational growth. A key section focuses on evaluating current skills and competencies against professional standards, identifying development needs, and outlining opportunities to meet current and future challenges. The report includes a personal and professional development plan, detailing the activities and processes required for implementation. It emphasizes the importance of documentation, evaluation, and updating the plan based on feedback. The report also addresses solutions to work-based problems and effective time management strategies, culminating in a conclusion that summarizes the key findings and recommendations. The report highlights the benefits of personal and professional development for both individuals and organizations.

Personal and
Professional
development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Self-managed learning approaches.......................................................................................1
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning could be encouraged.........................................................2
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning approaches to individual and organisation.....................2
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Evaluation of own current skills and competencies against professional standards.............3
2.2 Own development needs and activities.................................................................................4
2.3 Various opportunities of development to meet current and future needs.............................4
2.4 Personal and professional development plan........................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Activities and processes required to implement the plan......................................................5
3.2 Document development activities.........................................................................................5
3.3 Own learning against set objectives and aims in the development plan...............................6
3.4 Update plan based on feedback and evaluation collected.....................................................6
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
4.1 Solutions to work based problems........................................................................................7
4.2 Communication in variety of styles at various levels...........................................................8
4.3 Use of effective time management strategies........................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional of employees is one of the important element of every
enterprise. Skilled and capable employees contribute a lot in the overall success of the firm. By
develop various skills in the workers an organisation can achieve the success in an effective way
(Moon,2013).Manager of firm can use the development plan for increasing the skills of workers.
It is very important for an individual to do the analysis of his own strengths and weakness so
that he can better choose the line of his career and the same time can achieve growth and
success. Various approaches of self managed learning is detailed under this report. Both personal
and professional learning could be encouraged by the lifelong long learning is also mentioned
under this. Various advantages of self learning approaches to individual and organisation is
mentioned under this essay. Along with this, various solutions to work based problems and
effective time management strategies is also detailed under this.
TASK 1
1.1 Self-managed learning approaches
Various approaches of self-learning are there. But for mange the self-learning it is very
essential to first evaluate the current business trends and at the same time analyse the various
obstacles coming in the path of learning. Following are the main ways of self-managed learning: Seminars and conferences: This is one of the effective and best way of self-managed
learning. In seminars and conferences large number of people exchange their views and
ideas which not only enhance the knowledge of an individual but at the same time
improve his skills and personality traits. Along with this, it increases confidence of an
individual to speak before large number of audiences. Social platforms: This is one of the effective and interesting way of increase the
knowledge of an individual. Today large number of social platforms are available
through which many people exchange their ideas and thoughts (Stenfors-Hayes and et.al.,
2010). Twitter, Facebook all are the examples of social sites.
 Internet: This is another method of learning something different and new. In this, one can
increase his or her knowledge related with any topic by surfing various sites available.
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1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning could be encouraged
Continuous evaluation and analysis of own strengths, weakness, threats and opportunities
is known as continuous learning. It helps in building confidence of an individual and improve his
communication skills as well.
 Evaluation of self: SWOT is one of the relevant tool of doing self-evaluation, this will
help me in identifying my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This can be
understood by following:
Strengths are “Good communication skills etc.
Weakness are “Do not like change etc.
Opportunities are “chances of growth and learn new things, better working environment”
Threats can be “recession” Continuous learning: Learning something new from life events and experiences is
known as continuous learning. It helps in enhancing the knowledge of an individual and
provide support to enterprise to achieve set objectives easily. Effective leadership: Under this individual learns how different approaches of leadership
affect the behaviour and activities of employees. This helps an individual to learn how he
can change his style of leadership for influencing large number of employees and to
tackle the critical situations. Overall it helps people to learn how to behave for effectively
achieving ends results.
 Effective communication and good leadership: In today organisation, large number of
employees work, belonging from different background and culture. Dealing with
different kind of employees is also a part of self-learning.
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning approaches to individual and organisation
Self-managed learning provides various benefits to both an individual and organisation as
well (Avalos, 2011). First of all, it increases the decision-making ability of the enterprise.
Individual learn number of things from his past experience which increase the ability of firm and
provide support to enterprise in a professional way.
In an organisation, large number of people come together for doing various tasks. During
completion of task they exchange their thoughts and ideas which increase their various skills.
Following are the main skills which can be developed in an individual while working in a team
in an enterprise:
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 Presentation skills: Discussion with groups and attending seminars improve the
communication skills of an individual and at the same time increase his confidence to
speak before large number of people. This skill of employee provides various benefits to
enterprise.
 Team work skills: When large number of individual work together than it increase the
quality of employees to handle a group of people. This skill of individual provides
various benefits to the enterprise.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of own current skills and competencies against professional standards
Qualified and skilled employees play an important role and contribute a lot towards the
overall success of firm. For achieving the end results it is very important for enterprise to
conduct training and development programmes for employees for enhancing their level of
knowledge.
 Personal Skills: I can evaluate about what is the best quality in me or what is my biggest
strength. I like to say that I m a good listener, my communications skills are up to the
mark. All these qualities will be help me in contribute a lot to the success of firm. I would
like to share these skills with the enterprise. All my qualities will assist me explore new
things and ideas.
Name:
Address:
Qualification:
Work experience:
Strengths:
 Like to accept challenges
 Effective communication skills
 Can be a good leader
 Good learner
 Confidence
 Patience
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2.2 Own development needs and activities
In today's fast, changing business environment, every organisation want employees
having various skills called leadership, time management. IT skills and many more. In this
scenario, I feel little uncomfortable as this is my weakness. In this situation, I will like to attain
some training programmes so that I can cover the skills in which I lack. Along with this, I would
like to do practice with my own for improving my skills, personality development programmes
can also help me a lot. My communication skills are good but sometimes I found it difficult to
speak in front of various people in this, I will try to overcome with my weakness so that I can
better perform in front of large number of people. I can join or can take part in various learning
programmes for increasing my knowledge. Along with this attending of presentations and
seminars will also help me.
2.3 Various opportunities of development to meet current and future needs
Current needs: According to my analysis I find that I respect differences of individuals, I adopt
the multi culture and along with this I am a good and quick learner. Further, I observed that I
need there are some skill which I need to develop in myself are leadership skills, multi taking
skills and many more.
Future needs: For achieving better success and growth there is a need to take my personal
development to the next level of understanding. Large number of skills are required in today's
business environment for be successful. It includes all form effective decision making,
developing employees, leading large number of individuals to make a balance between personal
and professional development.
2.4 Personal and professional development plan
Planning is one of the important element of every activity whether it is related with
personal or professional life. I can make a plan for identify that where I am and where I want to
go in future. As I need to enhance my current qualities for achieving better success in future in
both personal and professional life. There is a need to enhance my qualities for better managing
all the tasks in complex business environment. So due to the changing future requirement I need
plan all my activities. As change is one of the effective and essential of both life and business
environment this increase the need of different knowledge required at various stages of life.
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 SWOT analysis: By doing SOWT I am able to identify my strengths, weakness,
opportunities and threats. I can join various learning programmes to change my weakness
into strengths.
TASK 3
3.1 Activities and processes required to implement the plan
As changes are taking place at a fast speed so it become very necessary for enterprises to
develop and implement the scheme of personal and professional development for developing
skills in the employees. Following are the key points which are included tin the development
plan: Scope of development plan: One of the main aim of development plan is to increase the
knowledge of individual in some specific areas for enhancing some specific skills. Relationship between the aim of development plan and its links: For achieve effective
results and encourage the individual to do good in the future it is very necessary to give
focus on the main purpose behind the development plan. This help individual to reach to
next level of success. Implementation: Implementation of plan and all activities included in that is also
essential. Proper support should be provided to better implementing the plan.
 Effect: Development plan results in change in the culture and activities of firm. For
achieving good results it is necessary for to first do the research and collect relevant
information regarding the plan.
3.2 Document development activities
Proper analysis should be done by the organisation before executing all the activities
included in the concept of personal and professional development. For achieving better results it
is very essential that all tasks should be performed by the subordinates. Following are the key
points which should be there while preparing document for the development plan:
In initial stages it is very important to first collect all the relevant data and requirements,
document will contain all the important information like important notes created during the time
of meetings, conferences and taking decisions. Making notes during the time of meeting and add
all the relevant information like coming ideas, thoughts all are kept under the document (Olsen,
2015). After collecting all the relevant information it is very necessary review that document
with all members of team for finding any loop holes and to do necessary changes for improve the
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current process of development. Present this document and communicate the relevant
information with all members is very necessary. All this helps in creating new ideas for
increasing the effectiveness of personal and professional development plan.
3.3 Own learning against set objectives and aims in the development plan
Evaluation of personal and professional development plan is very necessary in order to
evaluate its effectiveness against set goals, results and ambitions. By reflecting personal and
professional development plan I can get the logic from my different past experiences, ideas,
knowledge and thoughts. This will help me know that how I can improve my performance in the
near future. During the reflection of development plan few things are there which come under
my mind like what work has been done? When? What did I achieve? All these are the results of
my research. After I achieve my objective or goal I should not be stop as I need to timely
updated my plan against my all set goals and objective s by exploring my thoughts and ideas. For
achieving better results and for enhancing my knowledge it is very important for me to learn new
things on continuous basis. By doing this, I can explore new skills in me and can better achieve
the growth and success.
3.4 Update plan based on feedback and evaluation collected
Continuous evaluation of various activities included in the personal and professional
development plan it is very necessary to give consideration on the following factors like “how I
feel during the process of research” is the correct working methods is effective and useful for
the research or there is a need to do some modifications? It is necessary to measure the
satisfaction level and achievement of the whole process. For improving the outputs it is very
necessary to do the planning. Planning: There is a need to make a development plan for achieve the objectives in a
better way. Good beginning helps in effectively describe all the objectives and main
purpose of the development and and also assist in arrange all the resource in advance for
achieving smoothness (McNiff, 2010). One of the main benefit of making plan is that it
provide basis for comparing the actual results from the standard ones. Making goals and
timely review it is one of the necessary task as it help in doing necessary improvements.
 Reviewing: Review on the set goals help in better understand the purpose of development
plan and help in doing necessary changes for better results.
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TASK 4
4.1 Solutions to work based problems
Everyone face work related problems and issues while doing their jobs. It is very
necessary and essential to solve the problems and for this firm can use the use and conduct
various self managing learning programmes into different groups where everyone can share his
or her own opinions for doing necessary development in the progress path. Timely review on
various activities is also necessary. Group learning is much better and interesting than individual
learning as in group large number of people exchange their views and thought with each other.
Along with this it is one of the cost effective technique of learning (Nofziger and et.al., 2010).
Further, feedback can be collected from various individual to find out the problem and issues
they as facing. After that research can be conducted for finding the various solutions to the
problems. Along with this following steps can be followed by the enterprise for solving the
problem. Identify the problem: Before solving a problem it is very necessary to identify the
problem which exist. Once a problem has been recognised the next step included in this is
find how the problem occurred. Remove obstacles for solving the problem: large number of roadblocks come while
solving the problem and it is very necessary to remove those obstacles for finding better
solution. Find solutions: Large number of methods are there for solving the problems.
Brainstorming, analytical thinking and various other methods can be used for finding
better solution to the problem. Evaluate all the solution: It is very necessary for choosing the best solution to the
problem. Solution should be cost and time effective. Action plan: After you decide the solution to the problem it is very necessary to make a
action plan and include all the necessary steps that how will, you solve the problem. Evaluation of action plan: It is one of the necessary step to evaluate all the activities
included in the action plan for do necessary modification and improvements.
 Implementation: Required resources and plans should be made available for implement
the plan in a better way (Nicholls, 2014). For this training can be provided to the
employees and new workers can also be recruit by the firm for getting effective solution.
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4.2 Communication in variety of styles at various levels
Communication is one of the vital element of human life. It is the process through which
an individual share his thoughts and idea with the other individual. This process take place in the
enterprise at every level (Hadar and Brody, 2013). Communication which take place among the
top managers is more formal than the communication take place among the lower or middle level
managers. Following are the main types of communication which take place among the various
level of an organisation. Oral communication: When two or more than two individual or groups exchange their
view and thoughts by saying or by words than this is known as oral communication. For
achieving the better results it is very necessary for the sender to use words during the
process of communication.
 Written communication: When sender write the message on the paper and than send to
the receiver than this of communication is known as written communication. This
communication process is very lengthy and time consuming as compare with the oral
communication.
4.3 Use of effective time management strategies
For achieving the set targets and results in a better way and in low cost it is very
necessary for a firm to manage the time. Delay in completing the task increase the cost of whole
process. So it is very necessary for the firms to use various strategies of time management. When
enterprise does not have enough time for completing the task than it create unnecessary stress
among the workers and reduce their productivity (Mwalongo, 2011). Decision taken at right time
help in achieving better output. So it is very necessary for the firm to use various strategies for
managing the timer and improve the productivity and performance of whole enterprise.
Ineffective time management strategies not only increase the cost of all operations but at the
same time reduce the efficiency of business operation by increasing the cost. Effective
management of time help firm in getting completive advantage in the market. So effective
strategies should be used firm for completing all the necessary tasks in time.
CONCLUSION
From the above information can be concluded that concept of personal and professional
development helps an individual in increase various skills by enhancing the amount of his
knowledge. In today business environment it is very necessary for firms to make effective
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personal and professional plans so that skills of workers can be enhanced and they can better
contribute to the overall success. Development plans can be made by the employees by their own
for increasing their skills. Various strengths, opportunities, weakness and threats all can be
examined by the workers in order to effectively use their strength and to decrease the negative
effect of their weakness on their career. Number of tools and techniques are there by which an
individual for evaluate his strengths and weakness. There are number of effective solutions
which can be used by employees for better handling or solving their work related problems and
various time effective strategies can also used by employees for managing the time according to
their business activities.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals:
Avalos, B., 2011. Teacher professional development in Teaching and Teacher Education over ten
years.Teaching and teacher education,27(1), pp.10-20.
Bauer, W.I., 2010. Your personal learning network: Professional development on demand. Music
Educators Journal, 97(2), pp.37-42.
Black, P.E. and Plowright, D., 2010. A multi‐dimensional model of reflective learning for
professional development.Reflective Practice,11(2), pp.245-258.
Brody, D. and Hadar, L., 2011. “I speak prose and I now know it.” Personal development
trajectories among teacher educators in a professional development
community.Teaching and Teacher Education, 27(8), pp.1223-1234.
Cooke, N.A., 2012. Professional development 2.0 for librarians: Developing an online personal
learning network (PLN).Library Hi Tech News,29(3), pp.1-9.
Hadar, L.L. and Brody, D.L., 2013. The interaction between group processes and personal
professional trajectories in a professional development community for teacher
educators.Journal of Teacher Education, 64(2), pp.145-161.
Hamza, A., 2010. International experience an opportunity for professional development in higher
education.Journal of Studies in International Education,14(1), pp.50-69.
Jasper, M., 2011.Professional Development, Reflection and Decision-making for Nurses(Vol.
17). John Wiley & Sons.
Kumari, N., 2011. Personal therapy as a mandatory requirement for counselling psychologists in
training: A qualitative study of the impact of therapy on trainees’ personal and
professional development.Counselling Psychology Quarterly,24(3), pp.211-232.
McNiff, J., 2010.Action research for professional development: Concise advice for new action
researchers. Dorset: September books.
Moon, J.A., 2013. Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and practice.
Routledge.
Mwalongo, A., 2011. Teachers' perceptions about ICT for teaching, professional development,
administration and personal use. International Journal of Education and development
using information and communication Technology,7(3), p.36.
Nicholls, G., 2014.Professional development in higher education: New dimensions and
directions. Routledge.
Nofziger and et.al., 2010. Impact of peer assessment on the professional development of medical
students: a qualitative study. Academic Medicine, 85(1), pp.140-147.
Olsen, B., 2015.Teaching what they learn, learning what they live: How teachers' personal
histories shape their professional development. Routledge.
Shortland, S., 2010. Feedback within peer observation: continuing professional development and
unexpected consequences.Innovations in Education and Teaching International,47(3),
pp.295-304.
Stenfors-Hayes and et.al., 2010. Being a mentor for undergraduate medical students enhances
personal and professional development. Medical teacher, 32(2), pp.148-153.
Zepeda, S.J., 2012.Professional development: What works. Eye on education.
Online
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