Report: Understanding Self and Others - Skills and Development

This report, titled 'Understanding Self and Others,' delves into the importance of self-awareness and skill development for professional growth. The executive summary highlights how understanding one's strengths and weaknesses, alongside skills like time management, written communication, and focus, can significantly enhance individual and organizational success. The introduction emphasizes the value of continuous learning and the acquisition of skills, knowledge, and abilities. The report is structured around a reflective journal, with appendices that provide detailed analyses of core skills such as written communication, attention and focus, and time management. Each skill is examined in terms of its importance, current competencies, potential contradictions, and future usefulness, offering a comprehensive view of personal and professional development. The report concludes by synthesizing the insights gained, emphasizing the practical application of these skills in achieving personal and professional goals.

UNDERSTANDING SELF
AND OTHERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive summary......................................................................................................................................3
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................4
TASK 1..........................................................................................................................................................4
Reflective journal.....................................................................................................................................4
APPENDIX A: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PER-FORMA.........................................................................4
APPENDIX B: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PER-FORMA.........................................................................5
APPENDIX C: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PER-FORMA.........................................................................6
APPENDIX D: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PER-FORMA.........................................................................7
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION...............................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................10

Executive summary
Understanding self and other help individual to work in effective way, even though if
people know about their skills and knowledge then he/she is able to manage the working in right
direction and thus it help organization to earn higher profit as well. Although various skills like
time management, written communication and attention with focus is going to be discussed in
this report. Learning new skills also help individual to inculcate the various things which help
individual to work in proper way in right direction. It helps in growing in future with learning
new skills and knowledge. These skills will contribute developing management is right direction
as employees with prospective and accurate skills will contribute their efforts and productivity
efficiently. For instance, time management skill assist individuals in organization to complete
their work task at proper time which will benefit the management to reach their targets.

Introduction
In this competitive world, developing skills, knowledge and abilities should be there
which help to understand the potential of working in individuals. Identifying the inner strength
convert people to work effectively and this allow different thing to be learnt from the various
sources in proper manner. Although terms like skills, knowledge and abilities are those which
can be learned from the continuous learning (van Dijk, Ouwerkerk, 2011). Several methods are
there which help in increasing the abilities and skills like having training and development
program, self-managed learning, taking classes online etc. Report is being based on
understanding the self can make the person to grow in future which help to attain their goals and
objectives too. Assignment is that which is going to discuss about the various skills a people hold
and how he/she can bring improvement in better manner. Different skills are there which like
time management, attention and focus, written communication and it will also include the team
working will all such be discussed in this report.
TASK 1
Reflective journal
It has seen that normally individuals have a habit of carrying out their power and ability
with knowledge so that they can modify their personality and working styles in near future as
well. Moreover, thought and views are such that self makes me to understand in effective way.
Books and notes writing is such which is considered which help to inculcate new thing in me
which did allowed me attain goals and objectives. It is needed to acquaint the self-agreement
which do make people to gain something better in any proper manner.
APPENDIX A: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PER-FORMA
Core skill:- Written communication
Written communication is such which is an modern activity that is related with mind and
allows the writer to write their thoughts and views in exact format. Therefore, skill is such
which include the proper word which can be communicated in formal and informal way but
this can be done in effective way. Although writing is such which is quite valid and
satisfactory rather having speech and oral communication in better manner. This is something
which people make him/her effective in skill because this is something which does help in
communicating with other in proper way and such thing can also be used for the future
purposes as well. Moreover having an habit of writing on daily basis always help to improve
the writing skill in proper manner and thus this help to gain advantage and although this can
help in future as well (Sosik and Cameron, 2010).
Importance of skill:
Written communication is such which is requisite in small and large institution in better
manner although this assist in communicating the very small things as well in organization
and leaders which can make them exactly what their senior managers want. Moreover,
writing and learning is such which is used to legal purpose and can be stored for the future
needs as well. Hence, written communication is very effectual then oral scenario as well:

Stored:
Advantages and importance is such which can be used for the future purpose as well. I can
use it to write and this is being considered as strength and can be used for various purpose in
organization and for the future purpose as well in near future. Written communication is that
which help in improving the skills of communication in better manner with others.
Help in thought:
written communication is such which help in rising the thought and perspective and this can
be utilized by me to notice that what kind of changes in being noticed in my personality.
Although improvement should be there in knowledge and quality as well. Written
communication is such which help in improving personality in effective manner of individual
(Serrat, 2017).
Current competent regarding the skills:
I have done lots of practice on Microsoft Word (tool kit) in order to improve my written
communication skills. This has helped to know me as what criteria re there to learn the
writing as this can help me to provide proper information to various people. Written
communication is such skill which bought many new changes in me and this is something
which has assist me in writing effectively with this I have also learned many communication
criteria as well in very precise form and thus it is necessary to have a good knowledge of
usage words and sentences. Written communication is such with other and it save record in
further use as well (Salvatore, 2012).
Identification of contradiction:
I take written communication as best manner as this aid in communicating which lot manner
and concise form and this method is such which take quite a lot and thus requires to have an
knowledge of words and also make sentences in complex manner because it is be like
interacting I summarize form and lengthy matter as well. Although this method is very time
consuming process as well.
In this skill is useful in future prospect:
Written communication is very much useful and thus can be useful for the future as well
which record and communicating in precise manner in very effective manner and this is
something which make people to perform in better way. Written communication is such
which is used by many companies as because quite effective and communicative as well. This
skill helps me to carry out my communication process which is required formally while
working in company.
APPENDIX B: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PER-FORMA
Core skill: Attention and focus
It is required that every single man in organization which should focus on important areas
which is very much useful and quite it is crucial as well to complete the set target or goals.
Skill is such which is vital that create concentration power in every staff member. It is
something which consider listening, communication and speaking skills of every one that is
present in group. If these efficiencies which is proper maintain and inculcated in with work
process which does completed in proper order too. Moreover, mobile apps are those which
can help in making attention and focus and thus this is such do help in having proper working

as well.
Importance:
There are different value things which type of skill and individual that develop in them. It
helps in accelerating the power which help in playing the work with the more efforts and
spacing. This is something which enables company system to carry out the style. mission and
vision is there of company perform their transaction or action. Proper attention and focus
skills in such which is generated in employees in their working system too (Rochat, 2014).
Current competencies related to skill:
I have used Mobile Apps and number of head space tool kits to assess my attention and focus
skills. Head space and mobile apps are those which do helped me to learn focus and attention
in better manner. Attention and focus with abilities which accumulate in proper manner
through its training and development procedure. These programs and focused in enhancing
that need skills and concept. Hence, it is directly linked with attaining plans.
Identifying contradiction:
This skill is such which help in accelerating the confidence level in me and thus it is such
which hence enable to finish the work in proper manner and in suitable manner. But there are
contradiction to this skill, although when the attention and direction is abstracted which does
lead to have creation of result. I try to improve my focus and attention skill and even attended
related to it.
Usefulness of skill in future:
The utility is such skill is being like having totally performed without the chances of getting
default which may arise in process. The future of attention and focus skills is taken up which
execute in work of every worker in accurate way and even in systematic order too (Maddux
and Kleiman, 2012). This skill aids me to provide focus on certain important aspects which is
very much necessary and carry out the same in proper time period. There are certain activities
that are in priority and have to be focused effectively hence, this skill helps me to fulfill this
in adequate manner.
APPENDIX C: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PER-FORMA
Core skill: Time management
Managing time is an important technique that has to be adopted by every individual in order to
completer their work task in effective and efficient manner. There is certain time period that
has to be followed by so that final aim could be accomplished. There are certain activities that
have to be scheduled in such a manner so that it could get completed effectively. Thus, it is
essential to manage overall time structure in adequate mode. Each and every people perform
time management process. Even though the smart watch is such which can help in maintaining
the time in proper manner and thus it can help to handle every task in appropriate way too
(Landau, Meier and Keefer, 2010).
Importance of skill:
Managing time is a good job that is directly linked in enhancing overall performance and
productivity level of individual. it helps in accomplishing the work task in appropriate time
period. This skill involve scheduling overall work structure in such a way so that all activities

could be arrange in correct sequence so that it can be attained correctly. Importance of time
management skill is as follows:
Completing work in proper time: the basic aim of this skill to accomplish assigned work at
proper and specific time period. This result in reaching ultimate objectives and purpose in
appropriate way. It involve carrying out the planning action that draft all the activities that has
to be performed for carrying out that particular tasks. I will focus on time management skills so
that final aims can be attained.
Efficient working: Business organization system have implemented training and development
system that concentrates on developing the time management skills within every staff members
so that they could complete their task in proper time period. This helps them to achieve their
set targets (Foucault, Davidson and Burchell, 2010).
Current competent of this skill:
I have used calendar, notebook To Do List in order to record all activities that has to be
performed. I have attended many classes that focuses on creating time management skill in an
individual. Smart watch is such which also help in managing the time of mine and help me to
handle everything in right prospect and make to not to become multi tasking. Organizations
conduct training process for their staff members, in this they are taught about handling whole
work structure in small portion and then, concentrating on this individual part so that set vision
and mission can be achieved. There are number of journals that are available containing
motivational matter about benefits of time management, I have follow that content too so that I
can able to manage my time in productive way. I used to mark my work on calendar that has to
be conducted in coming days hence, makes me stress free as all work is managed properly.
Identification of contradiction:
If the task in not achieved in proper time, it lead to generation of many problems and
difficulties in front of individual hence, in order to remove this, it is important to plan the
entire working schedule in correct way so that time could be managed in effective manner
(Derlaga and Berg, 2013). When I have gathered reviews from my peer members their
feedback do not match with my management of tool. Therefore, more improvements are
required.
Is this Skill useful in future purpose:
Yes, this skill is very much useful for completing future purpose in right time period. It is
directly linked with achieving the final mission of the organization as employees are given
training regarding managing their whole time into such areas that will result them positive
outcomes. For this effective planning must be carried out by the management system, who
make proper strategy involving division of work in small portions and then plan of actions to
attain it. This skill helps me to carry out work procedure in time and in efficient manner and
hence several issues are minimized.
APPENDIX D: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PER-FORMA
Core Skill: Team Working
Team play a important role in every business organization as it consist of team members that
are assigned particular job which have to be accomplished in set time period. Teams are guided
by leader who guide their members towards right direction and path. They align their personal

objectives with their vision and mission so that, ultimate goals can be attained in appropriate
way (Deci and Ryan, 2010). SCORO is such which help to understand the concept of team
working, which also has helped in having a proper working in team and make to attain the
goals and objectives.
Importance of skill:
Team working is an essential skill that has to be inculcated in every organization system.
Management has the responsibility to construct team in their system and are allotted specific
task which is complex in nature. The importance of this skill is described below:
Effectual working process: the task which is concluded ensures that it must be completed in
effective mode. Each and every team member have to align their aims with the set goals so that
ultimate purpose must be reached.
Synergy: Every team works on the concept of synergy that defines proper coordinated efforts
and coordination. I have also worked in team that is formed in business organization in which
we have to work on specific topic so that overall work must be performed in correct and
effective way. There are several advantages of working in team as every member work with
maximum of their efforts and with synergy effect. Synergy concept helps in working with
collaboration among all team members so that together they lead to achieve final results.
Current Competent Regarding the skills:
I have utilized Johari window technique (Tool kit) in order to evaluate my team management
skills and knowledge. Johari window is such which help to manage the work in team and make
to manage the work in team and allow me to work in team and also learned an habit of working
with diverse group of people. It is the responsibility of team leader or manager to manage their
team so that proper working could be done. There is lot of difference between individual
working and team working as it have several benefits associated with it. Leaders continuously
have to evaluate the need and want of team and make efforts to complete it so that they remain
satisfy with the working and able to contribute with maximum of their efforts and outcomes.
Identification of Contradiction:
There are several companies that are working on the concept of individual working style as
they believe on the concept that forming team leads to the time wastage. Whereas, other
companies totally work on the concept of teams that is framed to succeed final set targets and
aims. After evaluation of results, I have observed that there are some contradictions on the
final results hence, various tests that need to be taken into consideration apart from it.
Is this skill is useful for future purposes:
Team working is important concept inculcated in whole organizational system, in which staff
members become part of team which has been formed for attainment of set objectives in
effective outcomes. This skill helps me in future by completing my work task in proper time
and in effective manner. On the other hand, cases of conflicts and issues will also be reduced in
business organization.
TASK 2
It has been observed that every individual learn from personal experiences. There are
number of sources that help in improving skills and knowledge, that include journals, books and

online sources. All these contribute in increasing their productivity, skills and knowledge of each
and every individual so that work can be accomplished in particular time period. In completion
of Task A, I observed that there are certain skills that I lack and some are strength. The skills
which can be classified into strengths and weakness is described as below:
Strengths Weakness
 Time Management
 Written Communication
 Focus Attention
 Team working
It is very much essential to remove weakness and convert it into strengths so that barriers
can be removed. It is my duty to evaluate all weaknesses and work upon so that it can be
converted into my strengths.
Maslow’s theory: This theory consist of several needs and wants that are present in every
individual. It is divided in several steps that concentrates on full filling their desires that gets
raised due to needs and wants. Hence, proper sequence is applied to get the task achieved. This is
applied to enhance the focus and attention skill.
Training and development programs: In order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness
of the individual it is necessary to impart training and development process. Teams have to be
framed in proper structure so that proper work is assigned and they perform to accomplish it.
Table showing improvement area:
Skills that require
development
Reasons Materials that
render support
Time taken to
achieve it
Success
Criteria
Focus and
attention skill
There are
number of
conditions in
which individual
can lose their
focus and
attention from
key areas.
Meditation
activities and
attending classes.
2 to 2.5 months While
applying these
tools in
effective
manner, focus
will increase
at significant
level.
Team working There are
reasons that
results in
improper
formation of
team. It can be
possible that
team structure
may be poorly
defined.
Imparting
training and
development
process.
3 months It results into
increasing
team working
skills so that
objectives can
be attained.

CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be stated that understanding self and others can be done by
learning various new skills, knowledge and abilities to work in effective manner and with this
personal goals can be achieved. There are some methods which help in learning skills which can
help in future prospect as well. Although understanding self and other is required so that proper
learning can be done.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Baron-Cohen, S., Tager-Flusberg, H. and Lombardo, M. eds., 2013. Understanding other minds:
Perspectives from developmental social neuroscience. Oxford University Press.
Baumeister, R.F. ed., 2013. Self-esteem: The puzzle of low self-regard. Springer Science &
Business Media.
Baumeister, R.F., 2010. The self. Advanced social psychology: The state of the science, pp.139-
175.
Cozolino, L., 2014. The neuroscience of human relationships: Attachment and the developing
social brain (Norton series on interpersonal neurobiology). WW Norton & Company.
Deci, E.L. and Ryan, R.M., 2010. Self
‐determination. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
Derlaga, V.J. and Berg, J.H. Eds., 2013. Self-disclosure: Theory, research, and therapy. Springer
Science & Business Media.
Foucault, M., Davidson, A.I. and Burchell, G., 2010. The government of self and others:
Lectures at the Collège de France 1982–1983. Springer.
Landau, M.J., Meier, B.P. and Keefer, L.A., 2010. A metaphor-enriched social cognition.
Psychological bulletin. 136(6). p.1045.
Maddux, J.E. and Kleiman, E.M., 2012. Self‐efficacy. The Wiley Handbook of Positive Clinical
Psychology, pp.89-101.
Rochat, P., 2014. Early social cognition: Understanding others in the first months of life.
Psychology Press.
Salvatore, G. 2012. Vulnerable self, poor understanding of others' minds, threat anticipation and
cognitive biases as triggers for delusional experience in schizophrenia: a theoretical
model. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. 19(3). pp.247-259.
Serrat, O., 2017. Understanding and developing emotional intelligence. In Knowledge Solutions
(pp. 329-339). Springer Singapore.
Sosik, J.J. and Cameron, J.C., 2010. Character and authentic transformational leadership
behavior: Expanding the ascetic self toward others. Consulting Psychology Journal:
Practice and Research. 62(4). p.251.
van Dijk, W.W., Ouwerkerk, J.W., 2011. Towards understanding pleasure at the misfortunes of
others: The impact of self-evaluation threat on schadenfreude. Cognition and Emotion.
25(2). pp.360-368.