Professional Development Plan: Personal SWOT, Action Plan, and Goals

This report presents a comprehensive professional development plan, meticulously crafted by a student, encompassing a detailed exploration of personal values, self-awareness, and strategic goal-setting within the context of career, financial outcomes, and self-improvement. The plan incorporates experiential learning through Gibbs' reflective model, analyzing past experiences and education, and John's model to assess the DBA journey. Furthermore, it applies Maslow's hierarchy of needs to understand the motivations behind pursuing a DBA and analyzes leadership styles using the creative leadership model. The report includes a personal SWOT analysis, TOWS analysis, and Johari Window to enhance self-awareness and a personal Kaizen approach for continuous improvement. Finally, a realistic five-year action plan is outlined, reflecting the student's aspirations and objectives for the future. The document is published on Desklib to provide students with a valuable resource for their studies.

Professional
Development

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Present assignment has been formulated to is produce an effective and realistic
professional development plan considering personal values, self awareness, self reflection,
personal strategies and setting out goals within the context of profession, career, financial
outcomes, education, relationship or self improvement. Assignment has also got started
considering experiential learning using Gibb’s model analysing the past experience and
education and John’s model analyse journey through DBA. Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s
hierarchy of needs theory analysed the objectives of pursuing DBA program and my leadership
styles analysed with the creative leadership model. In the end, My five years action plan is also
somewhat realistic with my own knowledge and the things that I want to attain in near future.

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
SECTION 1......................................................................................................................................1
1.1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................1
1.2 Past Experiences – Gibb's Model.....................................................................................1
1.3 Learning Journey DBA – John's Model...........................................................................3
1.4 Maslow Hierarchy of Needs and Journey Through DBA:...............................................4
1.5 My Creative Leadership That Drives Change..................................................................6
SECTION 2......................................................................................................................................6
2.1 My Personality Trait.........................................................................................................6
2.2 My personal SWOT Analysis...........................................................................................8
2.3 Personal TOWS analysis................................................................................................10
2.4 Johari Window :A tool for increasing self awareness....................................................11
2.5 My Personal Kaizen- Growth Mindset and continuous improvement...........................12
2.6 The Growth and Fixes Mindset......................................................................................12
SECTION 3....................................................................................................................................13
3.1 Monetization of My Achievement..................................................................................13
3.2 My Personal Strategy Road Map....................................................................................13
3.3 My Five Years Action Plan............................................................................................14
4. CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................15
5. REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................16

SECTION 1
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Professional or personal development refers to organized procedure for creation of
personal values, self awareness, strategies, self reflection and making goals with respect to
career, financial throughput, profession, self improvement and relationship (Stewart, 2014). In
following professional or personal development plan, I will describe aspiration, future aspects in
terms of career and financial resultant by putting light on my education, experience and my
journey to Doctor of business administration (DBA) program. I always had a desire to work
within MNC as a senior leader in Operations department.
1.2 Past Experiences – Gibb's Model
When people do not learn anything from their previous experience and do not understand
about their role, they finish up as inferior. The Gibbs reflection model (1988) is useful for people
to analyse what they have learnt from whatever has happened or experience (Dixon and et. al.,
2014) I have used Gibbs model to realise or understand situation of my work. It will help me to
examine what I did was right as per situation and where improvement is required so that in future
if same condition occur then I can perform better. I have used Gibbs reflective model to have
detailed analysis of past experience effectively.

Description:
Biggest challenge in my career was to get admission into University of West of England
to complete MBA (2011) although I was 1st class merit in BBA (2008). For me accommodation,
finance and timely study was very difficult and sometimes it is frustrating as an international
student. Find accommodation at place which you do not know was very difficult and also
exciting as I experienced different culture within University of West of England. Selection of
topic for my project was confusing but then one of my lecturer helped me to choose topic.
Graduation degree helped me in thinking analytically as it was in administration. It provided me
base for admission in University to complete or do my Doctor of Business Administration
(DBA).
Feelings:
I have learnt a lot during bachelors' degree (which was my first degree) about business
and management as management is all about analysing business needs and growth. I was filled
with enthusiasm when I got admission in MBA but at same moment I was nervous and it was
difficult for me at initial time because of new place, new environment and different culture.
When I got accomplished to particular situations or environment it became easy for me to go
well through them and complete my studies effectively (Bayar, 2014). At initial phase I was like

I am doing anything wrong? But with passage of time, I came to know various aspects and
particular branch became enjoyable.
Evaluation:
Home sickness was biggest factor which was affecting me internally as I was away from
home and family (Kennedy, 2016). I have to face all difficulties at my own as I was not knowing
anyone at that place and I was panicked to deal with situations and adjust in unknown
environment. Good aspect of all this was I learnt to handle my problems by my own and became
independent. I found new directions or a different view of my life while pursuing my bachelors. I
was extremely bad in few sections like presentation but University conducted few presentation
classes which helped me to improve my presentation skills, these presentations were conducted
either in group or individually. I am very confident in giving presentations of my work to
listeners, they can be in any number. Now I am not anxious about audience and don't hesitate
before presenting anything. I became more vocal about thoughts which I was not.
Analysis:
Team study was my first experience in University as I usually study alone. I have to work
as a team and presentations had a great impact as different ideas were accumulated and
implemented. It increased team working skills and accommodate and analyse different opinions
was important. It is being found that at the time of different ideas delivered or given, to me I may
easily perform tasks on the basis of those skills. When different thoughts were present then it
became difficult for me to analyse which was best among them during brainstorm session. But
with passage of time I understood which way to go.
Conclusion:
Studying at University not only helped me develop analytically but also developed skills
like presenting myself, giving seminars, psychometric tests, symposium, cultural activities and
educational activities which were held within campus (Huffman and et. al., 2014). Activities
conducted within University campus helped me to grow professionally and personally and gave
me strong base for career (Gregory and et. al., 2014).
Action plan:
I am doing PhD from University of West of Scotland. My previous experience has taught
me a lot, mistakes that I have done previously, I do not attempt them back in future. Apart from
this, I will not waste my time to reciprocate my mistakes instead I will try not to make them.

1.3 Learning Journey DBA – John's Model
Reflection model of John (1995) consists of five parts and every part has its own impact.
It helped me to divide my experiences into small portions and create its reflection on processes
and outcomes (Voogt and et. al., 2015). I have provided my journey till now (pursuing PhD)
using John's model:
Description of Experience:
After completing my MBA I thought I should go for job but I always had dream of doing
PhD. In my previous role, I have managed complex bespoke projects for clients like Accenture,
Britvic, Galliford Try and Carillon delivering in timeline driven and high complexity multi
cultural environment. Here, I left working and opted for PhD. With help of my friends, I was
able to find University for pursuing my PhD and that was University of West of Scotland.
Reflection:
I can achieve my dream which was Senior Leader in MNC in operation sector with help
of PhD. I will acquire enough abilities and skills which are required for being a Leader. I have a
strong belief that with help of this, I will be able to manage my job effectively.
Influencing Factors:
While pursing my PhD, my strongest influencing factor is my family who stood by my
side in every decision I have taken. My lecturer has advised me a lot till now and is still helping
me with every problem I faced. His knowledge and trait has inspired me in every step and
directed me to achieve what I have been. He is constantly helping me with projects.
Could I have dealt with it better ?
I have applied in other universities also and I got opportunity to complete my PhD from
their but I choose University of West of Scotland for further improvement in near future. I don't
regret my decision to be a part of this University as I am going towards my goal.
Learning:
Four modules are taught within university before thesis is started (Allen and Penuel,
2015). I have completed my two modules they are Strategy into action and Value management
and Strategic thinking. Both modules have helped me to learn various aspects of Organisation.
These two modules helped me to manage change, how value will be provided and how initiatives
will be changed to run efficiently. These all will help me in future to be a better Leader.

1.4 Maslow Hierarchy of Needs and Journey Through DBA:
A theory which consist of five steps about motivation at work place are designed by
Abraham Maslow (1943) (Visser, Evering and Barrett, 2014). Maslow believed that employees
have a desire but they are not confident that they can achieve it or not. I have used Maslow's
theory to describe my journey of PhD.
 Physiological Needs:
I have completed by MBA in 1st class from University of West of England which was
sufficient for my physiological needs. My journey through DBA was not just for Physiological
needs like employment or salary but it was my dream which I always had and it was beyond
Physiological needs.
 Security needs :
I do have a potential to work within any good organisation with my hard work and
efforts. I deserve to work within stable environment and receive benefits from organisation. My
PhD is far beyond security or stable job as it will give internal satisfaction.
 Belongingness Needs:

Belongingness is matter of abilities, intelligence and skills like a boss. Being a senior
Leader within MNC, I needs lot of high level skills and ability for which PhD was must. After
completing my PhD I will be a potential candidate for this role in any organisation (Evans,
2014).
 Esteem Needs:
Being Doctor of Business Administration will bring pride because achieving Doctorate
degree is not easy and everyone cannot have it. My name will be Dr. Romit Ray and this title
will be a subject of interpersonal recognition. It is my passion and after receiving this degree I
will be expert in this particular area.
 Self-Actualization :
Self-actualization is important factor as it helps grow as person or individual (Macià and
García, 2016). I am ready to accept my flaws and understand them to realise actual meaning of
life. I want to realise my potential and use it in proper way or wisely and utmost way is self-
actualization which I can achieve through PhD.
1.5 My Creative Leadership That Drives Change
In order to pull up new dimensions so that specific issues could easily be resolved from
my own. I have used Creative leadership model which consists with five different factors and
these are given below:
Passion And Purpose: If it is talked about my passion, I am much familiar with
traditional approaches and through this alterations can easily be brought among my own skills.
Explorative Mindset: My explorative mindset is kind of creative. I explore when face
any problem thinking divergently to fix the problem.
Envisioning A Better Future: My creative leadership style is to envision a better future
for myself and as well as my family.
Orchestrating Creative Team: I have also the qualities of being a creative leader I am
able to build a creative team.
Driving Breakthrough Change: My own personal property is to enhance my skills so
that I can easily resolves the issues that I face on daily basis. I don’t like to stagnate everyday
challenges helps to enhance my capability.

SECTION 2
2.1 My Personality Trait
Personality traits can be defined as characteristics of an individuals that mostly relies
upon feelings, thoughts along with the behaviour at the same time (DuFour, 2014). In present
context, it is being analysed that consistency along with the stability are the two factors, which
consists with personnel traits, that are enclosed with extraversion is expected to be sociable in
different situations and over time. There are five different personality traits that needed to be
understood for an individual when it comes to know personal traits (Forward, 2014). Factors like
openness to experience, extraversion, agreeableness or conscientiousness along with neuroticism
may aid me in doing proper analysis of my own behaviour, characteristic and so on.
While pursuing MBA at University of the West of England, Bristol UK, there were two
tests that I did considering Psychometric approach which consists with Lumina Learning and
Insights. With the help of these two tests, I somehow got to know about my personal traits and
these are openness to experience. Apart from this, if it is talked about curiosity based on
intellectualness, sensitive to beauty, appreciative to art then this could be considered as
intellectual trait. On the other hand, I have found out that high level of openness personal trait to
experience may aid an individual in getting high knowledge, unique and innovative ideas and so
on and this directly affects overall personality as well at the same time. On the other hand, if an
individual is not up-to the mark or not at all open or not following openness. He/she might not
get aware of the fact that personal interest is not there for knowing about new things (Vangrieken
and et. al., 2017).
If it is talked about my own psychometric test, I have analysed that the test have said the
right thing about me because, I stay curious and likes to know about new things as well which
helps me out in learning about new trends and techniques (Albion and et. al., 2015). With the
help of this, I can easily say that I am passionate about by own studies and likes to improve me
knowledge. Along with this, in past few years, I learnt end to end of the lead-to-cash cycle of a
leading manufacturing company within the aerospace industry and delivered high performance
results to gain optimum market share within a brief period of 6 months. Keeping with this, I have
done many other things as well. If it is talked about my education, I did, Masters in Business
Administration from University of the West of England, Bristol UK where I got Merit and in the
year of 2011, BBA was completed from PES University, Bangalore, India. In present time, I

have kept my focus on doing Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at University of the
West of Scotland, London UK. In present context, biggest challenge that I faced was non-
conformities along with the breaking the roles but often I break down but my extreme resilient
ability and agile mind help to stand again. At last, I have also examined that I am pretty much
artistic, imaginative consists with richness based on fantasies.
2.2 My personal SWOT Analysis
Strengths
 I have managed more than 32 people in
team comfortably and build a healthy
working environment.Successfully led
a product line for a period of 2 years
within the
 Service Request Management for
corporate customers.Responsible for
all operations objectives like
efficiency,
 productivity, customer satisfaction,
employee satisfaction, quality,
 SLAs, TATs and worked closely
with compliance, audit, recruitment
 and finance teams across all levels
and multiple stakeholders.
 Know how to manage time efficiently
and achieve the target on time.
 Influence and motivate the team
members to achieve the goals and
objectives on time.
Weaknesses
 I have fear if someone rejects or refuse
my proposal and idea.
 I am updated to new technologies.
 I can't bear huge risk. Don't know how
to mange risk on time.
 Handling stress can be hindrances for
doing work effectively.
 Obstructed work easily.
Opportunities
 Any company who is searching for
Threats
 I can't adjust to new working

team leader or the manager (Gregory
and et. al., 2015).
 I can work with any collaborating
companies as I worked with city bank
collaboration in new york.
 More than 7 year experience in
corporate industry.
 Member of university of west of
Scotland, London as I am pursuing
PhD.
environment of corporate world.
 Cultures and values changes over span
of time.
 Advance technologies are in the market
 competition is huge in the market. As I
am out of industry for so long with will
create obstacle for me.