Professional Development: Understanding Self and Others Report

This report, titled "Understanding Self and Others," provides a detailed self-assessment focusing on key skills crucial for professional development. It includes reflective journal entries analyzing core competencies such as focus and attention, assertiveness and conflict resolution, time management, and giving/receiving feedback. Each skill is examined for its importance, current competence level, contradictions identified from analysis, and potential future benefits. The report incorporates personal reflections, insights from colleagues, and action plans for improvement. The report highlights the importance of self-awareness and how these skills contribute to career success, improved work-life balance, and effective team leadership. It underscores the need for continuous self-assessment and development to achieve professional goals. The report concludes with a summary of findings and actionable steps to enhance the identified skills.

Understanding Self
and Others

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA...................................................................4
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA...................................................................5
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA...................................................................7
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA...................................................................8
Analysis.......................................................................................................................................9
Summary and Action Plan..........................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
` Self-understanding could be described as being conscious of our strength, recognizing
our capabilities, talents and also to know areas where we need improvement. It forms an integral
part of social cognition as it helps one to interpret and get engage with social world. It helps an
individual to understand others by being empathetic in accepting their imperfections. Thus, for a
leader who wants to be effective enough to inspire and influence its team mates it is requisite to
have knowledge about their core competences in order to be figurehead to be followed by others
(Arbuckle and Cunningham, 2012). The report will discuss about some core skills that are
essential for me to develop in order to achieve success and growth in my career. Further, it will
briefly discuss my action plan to deal with my areas of lacking.
TASK 1
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA
Core skill- Focus and attention
According to Astington, Hughes and Zelazo, 2013 Focus and attention could be described as
capability of brain to concentrate it entire attention on a specific target. It thus makes it possible
to quickly recognize and react to relevant stimuli. This skill also helps a person to enhance level
of concentration that develops their understanding to identify and analyse different complex
situations.
Importance of skills
Focus and attention skills forms significant abilities as it enable a person to concentrate on
their job without being deviated by noises, thoughts or any other thing. The reason for
selecting this skill for self -reflection is because it will assist me in controlling my thoughts
thereby improving my capability to study. This will ultimately make me dedicated towards
attentively and timely completing project that are assigned to me. Also, it will help me to be
calm and to focus all my energies and knowledge for finding most authentic and viable
solutions for a complex problem. Certain other significance of this skill are mentioned below:
Maintaining Work Life balance: Focus and attention will help me in maintaining a perfect
equilibrium between my personal and professional life. It is as been concentrated and attentive
will help me to beforehand set my priorities and to work accordingly. Thus, my main motive of
completing my task efficiently with quality will make me remain passionate for my job without

making me to sacrifice my personal commitments with friends and family.
Help in setting clear objectives: Another major advantages of this skill is that of gaining
proficiency. It will aid me to set up specific objective with clear cut vision. It is as with a
focused mind I will be able to observes each and every situations deeply improve my decision
making ability.
Current competent regarding the skills
In personal for me there is scope of improvement in context to this skill. It is although I am
quiet focused towards assigned tasks and peculiar too complete it within deadlines. However,
during my work often my attention gets deviated as I get indulge in some conversation with
my co workers. Also, in due course to complete my assignment before deadlines I skip my
lunch hours that adversely effects my personal life (Brent, Holt and Keshavan, 2014). Even in
opinion of my superiors in reference to my work I am both attentive and focused however
brushing up my skills will help me to properly handle my work and personal life
simultaneously. Thus for enhancing this skill I have started working upon Jung Personality test
that will develop my insight to take rational decision and to process my thoughts before acting
upon anything.
Identification of contradictions from analysis
My colleagues hold different opinion in regard to these skills of mine. According to them I lack
in setting up priorities and skipping my lunch hour is mere strategy for portraiting how
dedicated I am as an employee. Therefore, it is my utmost priority to change this perception of
my team members.
How might this skill helpful in future
Focus and attention forms key skill for me to improve as it will directly influence my ability to
systematically arrange my work according to set priorities. This further will help me to
accomplish my professional career goals while enjoying my personal life as well. This will
develop concentration power giving me control over various situations.
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA
Core skill- Assertiveness/conflict resolution
According to Lerner and et. al., 2012 Assertiveness forms a behavioural aspect that leads to a
person way to express their thoughts, beliefs and feelings in direct, honest and appropriate
manner. It is a skill of an individual person redress conflicts and arguments with people without

being aggressive or offended.
Importance of skill
This ability of an individual induce them to be polite, calm and effective while offering a
solution to someone against any conflicts or problem. I have chosen this skill for self-reflection
purpose as it will assist me to handle day to day issue, arguments and conflicts by keeping my
calm at my work place. Mentioned below are some prominent importance of this skill:
Finding solutions: Efficiency in this skill will also aid me to enhance my capability to deeply
analyse root cause of any problem or conflict. Thereby helping me in improving my conflict
solving skills by addressing disputes at early stage that ensures timely completion of
assignments. Also, it will develop my ability to listen calmly and patiently to others and them
expressing my views without disrespecting or hurting someone orientation.
Reduce conflicts : Assertiveness will also improve my level of patience with fellow employees
and subordinates while listening to their arguments and reason of conflicts or problems with
one another as well as with management (Markus and Kitayama, 2010). I, in this regard will try
to reach out for reasons behind dissatisfaction and will try to resolve them. This will have left
employees with no specific reason to be agitated and to argue.
Current competent regarding the skills
As a person I am quiet patient and a good empathetic listener too. My personal notion to solve a
problem is that I first listen to queries of both the parties in order to get a clear scenario and
then only I reach out for any conclusion. This skill is beneficial for me for making changes in
working style so there are possibilities of conflict (Zi, Jung, Zakharov and Yang, 2013). I work
in team so there are possibilities of conflict which affects working style. But sometimes due to
personal difference I am not able to resolve conflicts. I find that in case of conflict I am not able
to give give appropriate solution.
Identification of contradictions from analysis
In case of conflict resolution my peer member says that I am able to make fight resolved with
logics. They contact in case of any conflict among team mates because I am able to give best
solution. But as per my opinion I am not able to come with approaches which are effective and
significant for growth of association. Sometimes I gets confuse between right and wrong and
not able to give appropriate solution (Reeve, 2014).

How might this skill helpful in future
Conflict resolution is essential these days because there is difference in mindset of workers, so
they do not want yo work. But with this skill I am able to take actions in proper and effective
way. These days there is lack of patience among employees, so at high designation I am able to
make subordinates work with calm mind and able to create good environment within team.
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA
Core skill- Time-management
Time management is one of the essential skills which helps to perform work on time. At
work place there is some deadline which has to be followed. In personal life also I am able
to be on time in meetings, get together, etc. Time is equal to money so it must be used for
optimal purpose (Reid, Stein and Carpenter, 2011). This skill helps to be confident and
motivated at work place and operations can be done effectively.
Importance of skills
Time management skill is essential to perform job roles in effective and efficient way. I am
able to manage time to perform assign time, sometime I compete task before deadline. So
time management is my best skill. When I am able to perform task on time, then I am able to
make peer members motivated. Importance of time management skill are-
Avoid distractions: When activities are performed with dead line, there are less chances of
distraction. I am determined towards what I am doping within set dead line. This provides
me edge over others and able to present myself on time.
Able to achieve targets on set deadlines: There are some targets in my life with set time.
With achieving targets on time I am able to achieve them. This gives worth to my life time
goals.
Current competent regarding the skills
At my work place there are many assignments which urgent deadlines, so I am able to
complete them on time. Sometimes there is meeting with short notices, so in am there to
attend this, which helps me to perform operations in appropriate way (Reynolds and et. al.,
2010). I regularly contact with peer members to be up-dated about changes in roles and
responsibilities. To make strong this skill I make use of online sources.
Identification of contradictions from analysis

As per my superiors in team management, they rate me 4.5 out of 5. As per their view I
complete task on time with specified quality, so this is effective for growth of association.
There are many changes taking place in schedule of meeting still I am able to be on time.
But as per my analysis I need to improve my time management skill to get hype in career.
How might this skill helpful in future
Time management skill is essential to make good impression in front of others. This helps to
me get position of team leader in organisation as I am bale to accomplish task before or on
time. At workplace I am able to make changes in working style through which assignments
get completed on time. This skills makes me to reach at time in family, friends, colleagues,
superiors, etc. and my career gets improved (Rose, 2012).
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA
Core skill- Giving and/or receiving feedback
Feedback means to give or take reviews related to some services, product. There are
possibilities of good as well as bad reviews. This skills is essential because it helps to make
changes according to market demand. There must be honest and trustworthy feedback, so
actions can be taken accordingly. I lack I this skills so I take actions to improve this with the
help of peer members.
Importance of skills
As there are many changes taking place in environment, so to make change successful it is
essential to get feedback. I do not give much emphasis on feedback concept because there is
difference in perception of individuals.
Motivational factor- Feedback is one of the essential component which helps me to motivate
at work place. When negative feedback is given so I am able to take actions in order to
improve performance.
Possibilities of improvement- As it is not necessary that change in my working style is
successful, so with the help of feedback I am able to make improvements. There is
requirement of alteration and this helps to boost my confidence (Stanghellini, Bolton and
Fulford, 2013).
Current competent regarding the skills
Providing and asking for feedback is a common practise at my work place that are been

undertaken by all team mates in order to make peer members effective. When superiors
review my performance, then I take feedback with them to correct my operations. I take
feedback related to my assignment from superiors and corrective actions take to improve
performance.
Identification of contradictions from analysis
As per my view I am not good in feedback taking and giving but as per my peer members I
give justified feedback. At the same time my superior said that I give emphasise on feedback
to improve my performance at work place.
How might this skill helpful in future
This skill is effective in future to accept change happening in external environment and with
the help of feedback growth prospects for career gets increased. This skill helps to improve
relations with peer members and subordinates and able to compete at workplace.
Analysis
As per the above mentioned skills such as time management, receiving and giving
feedback, Assertiveness/conflict resolution and Focus and attention are more essential and
effective for improving my career graphs. Time management is my strength which helps to
perform task on time. Remaining skills i.e. receiving and giving feedback, Assertiveness/conflict
resolution and Focus and attention I want to make improvement in these. So I prepare action plan
and personal development plan for it (Womble, Labbé and Cochran, 2013).
Summary and Action Plan
As per the above mentioned reflective journal entry support me in identifying my
strength and weakness. It is determined as an essential concept that help individual to determine
their best skills. It will also assist in analysing my poor knowledge and solution to overcome this.
Strength: From the above given reflective journal entry in which I observed my strong
point which help me in completing all tasks and projects within predetermined period of time.
Beside this I see my time management skill is better as compare to conflict resolution, focus and
attention, giving and receiving feedback.
Weakness: It is another important part of action plan in this I observed my weak area
which is conflict resolution, giving and receiving feedback, focus and attention. All these are
poor area for me, in order to overcome these weakness, I prepared a personal development plan
which is determined under this:

Personal development plan
Development
area
Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely
Conflict
resolution
I want to
enhance my
conflict
resolution
skill that will
help me to
control my
behaviour.
Feedback
from tutor or
supervisor by
making an
appropriate
schedule it
assist me in
understanding
whether my
quality are
enhanced or
not.
It can only be
attainable or
possible if I
stick to solve
conflict. For
this, I can use
simple
language.
Working and
performing as
per the fixed
schedule can
support me
achieving
defined
objectives.
2-4 months
Giving and
receiving
feedback skill
In this I want
to improve my
receiving and
giving
feedback
skills so that I
could convey
my opinion
without
hurting or
offending
someone's
feelings
It can
analysed on
weekly basis
via acquiring
change by
reversal from
online sources
This quality
will further
support me in
establishing
better
relationship
with team
mates, peers,
associates etc.
Real views is
provided
which further
support in
future
development
and success.
1 ½ -3 months
Focus and
attention
In this I need
to improve my
By obtaining
feedback from
I have decided
to enhance my
The focus and
attention is
3 months

Focus and
attention skill
I take notes by
hand and
listen to
music.
association or
colleagues.
focus and
attention
quality by
taking notes
and listen to
music that
assist in my
personal
development
and growth as
well.
more essential
and relevant in
completing
entire work
and activity
within
predetermined
period of time.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned information it has been concluded that appropriate skills and
knowledge is more essential part for the development and success of individual. Reflective
journal entry was main concept of identifying strength and weakness in an appropriate and
effective manner. In order to overcome weakness, person prepared a personal development plan
which help them to improve their skills in given time duration.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Arbuckle, N. L. and Cunningham, W. A., 2012. Understanding everyday psychopathy: Shared
group identity leads to increased concern for others among undergraduates higher in
psychopathy. Social Cognition. 30(5). pp.564-583.
Astington, J. W., Hughes, C. and Zelazo, P. D., 2013. Theory of mind: Self-reflection and social
understanding. The Oxford handbook of developmental psychology, pp.398-424.
Brent, B. K., Holt, D. J. and Keshavan, M. S., 2014. Mentalization-based treatment for
psychosis: linking an attachment-based model to the psychotherapy for impaired mental
state understanding in people with psychotic disorders. The Israel journal of psychiatry
and related sciences. 51(1). p.17.
Lerner, M. D. and et. al., 2012. Understanding parent–child social informant discrepancy in
youth with high functioning autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and
Developmental Disorders. 42(12). pp.2680-2692.
Markus, H. R. and Kitayama, S., 2010. Cultures and selves: A cycle of mutual
constitution. Perspectives on psychological science. 5(4). pp.420-430.
Reeve, J., 2014. Understanding motivation and emotion. John Wiley & Sons.
Reid, R. C., Stein, J. A. and Carpenter, B. N., 2011. Understanding the roles of shame and
neuroticism in a patient sample of hypersexual men. The Journal of nervous and mental
disease. 199(4). pp.263-267.
Reynolds, K. J. and et. al., 2010. Interactionism in personality and social psychology: An
integrated approach to understanding the mind and behaviour. European Journal of
Personality. 24(5). pp.458-482.
Rose, E., 2012. Encountering place: A psychoanalytic approach for understanding how
therapeutic landscapes benefit health and wellbeing. Health & place. 18(6). pp.1381-
1387.
Stanghellini, G., Bolton, D. and Fulford, W. K., 2013. Person-centered psychopathology of
schizophrenia: building on Karl Jaspers’ understanding of patient’s attitude toward his
illness. Schizophrenia bulletin. 39(2). pp.287-294.
Womble, M. N., Labbé, E. E. and Cochran, C. R., 2013. Spirituality and personality:
understanding their relationship to health resilience. Psychological reports. 112(3)
pp.706-715.
Zi, Y., Jung, K., Zakharov, D. and Yang, C., 2013. Understanding self-aligned planar growth of
InAs nanowires. Nano letters. 13(6). pp.2786-2791.
Online
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