Self and Others: Reflective Journal on Key Professional Skills

This assignment is a reflective journal exploring key professional skills: teamwork, public speaking, and time management. The student analyzes their current competence in each area, using tools like Belbin tests and Johari windows to identify strengths and weaknesses. The reflection delves into the importance of these skills, identifying how they can be improved and applied in future professional contexts. The student provides self-assessments, identifies contradictions in their analysis, and outlines how developing these skills will aid in achieving career goals. The assignment concludes with a summary and action plan for continuous improvement in these critical areas. The student has also reflected on other core skills like assertiveness.

Understanding Self and
Others

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK ..............................................................................................................................................3
Reflection on Team working skill..........................................................................................3
Reflection on Public speaking skill.......................................................................................4
Reflection on Time management............................................................................................6
Reflection on Assertiveness...................................................................................................8
Summary and action plan.......................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Understanding self and others is considered as a main process which basically points the
needed skills and knowledge of a person which can be used in specific work area. The report
describes different skills and abilities which are addressed where it is required to make
improvement in their work so that a person can manage and maintain all task. It will help in
dealing with different condition. With the usage of different concepts, a person can create and
develop self confidence and awareness in proper way (Armstrong, 2012). The main motive of
this assignment is to describing about reflective journals which are mainly addressing along with
using it in order to enhancing knowledge among individual. Apart from this, it acts as the critical
technique and methods in order to develop skills and attitudes of individual behaviours. In
addition to this, SWOT analysis is being explained for examining and analysing correct strength
and weakness.
TASK
Reflection on skills related to team working
What is the core skill to develop?
According to the view of Bureau, (2013) team working is the procedure which help
company in developing team who work together for reaching with desired goals. In general, it is
the work done by two or more people with different skills and abilities by sharing knowledge
and experience to achieve desired outcomes. Thus, I am required to build up my team working
skills as it will aid me in developing strong relations with others and effectively coordinate
work for attaining set and desired goals in a proper manner.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on?
Team working is very crucial for maintaining effective coordination and relation with
other employees. It helps in proper distribution of work within team and help to attain desired
goals. It also increases mutual understanding between the team members which is very essential
for achieving desired goals of organisation. Within team all members who are indulged in
performing task work together in collaboration so that objectives can be achieved in prescribed
manner. This skill assists me in enhancing team working in order to achieving with set goals
and targets.

Reflect on your current competence regarding this skill
Leaders have team working skills which help followers or employees to deal with
different type of individuals at workplace (Butler, G. and Hope, T. 2007). Team working skills
helps individuals to gain knowledge of working and increases motivation for achieving desired
goals and objectives within organisation. In context to team working skills, I consider myself
as a beginner. With the help of different test, I will get to know and identify my abilities which
can further assist me in becoming a good leader. The outcomes or the results help me to
properly determine my team work education within the workplace. I was challenged for
increasing the target but couldn't lead to effective productivity.
As a team member, my prime function is to set desired goals and conduct activities in a suitable
and appropriate manner to achieve goals. Belbins test- In order to manage an effective team, this is an effective test that can be
used by the company in order to analyse to analyses the strength and weaknesses of each
staff member. Personality test- This test helps to maintain appropriate balance between all the team
members. Along with this, it assist superiors in identifying the nature and behaviour of
every members towards work. Johari window adjectives- This tool helps in identifying the skills, abilities and
capabilities within the working team members so that with the help of this set targets
and objectives can be achieved.
 Feedback on presentation- It is very important in identifying the skills of every
individual involved in a task so that roles and responsibilities can be assigned.
Therefore, on the basis of this feedbacks can be taken in order to improve the
performance of company and individual as well.
Can you identify any contradiction from your above analysis?
I need to perform in team working while doing task or work in an organisation. I have great
attitude and I am continuous leaner which make me able for doing various activities or
functions in better manner. They are concentrate on team working skill for better functioning
which help me in gaining huge opportunities in future time period.
How might this skill help me in the future?

Team working skill will be useful for me in future time period so I can easily attain my desired
goals and objectives of an organisation. Through this, assistance of skill, I can perform work
together with different members of groups in better manner. The skill of team working assist in
working together and move towards right directions to their subordinates through which they
can easily reach with target aim and objectives of an organisation. Therefore, it can be said that
with the help of team working performing activities become easier. In addition to this,
providing appropriate guidance assist other team members in achieving all the set targets and
objectives in a speculated time frame.
Reflection on Public speaking skill
What is the core skills to develop?
As per the view of Sosik and Cameron, (2010) it refers to process of performing good speech or
communicate information in front of live audiences. It is generally done before a large audience
such as school, workplace, college and even in personal lives. I want to develop my public
speaking skills because it is essential to present thoughts in front of anyone and to understand
every functions in effective ways.
Why is this core skills important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on?
For each and every individual public speaking skills is important because it help in enhancing
confidence of person to speak among large audience. people says that if an individual speak
properly in public then dealing with any type of person becomes easier and if an individual
listen effectively then barriers and errors can be removed very easily. Public speaking helps a
persons to be confident and behave effectively while talking to any another person in an
organization. It is one of the most appropriate and effective technique to develop understanding
between a person and with large audience as well. Other than this, with the help of public
speaking a person can easily transferring correct information and message from one individual
to another in an effective manner. This skill helps me in interacting with employees and also
analyse their issues in proper manner.
Reflect on your current competent regarding this skills?
This skill of a person aid in evaluating the behaviour of a person and analysis confidence level
of people on large number. When an individual speaks in front of large audience then he/she

will try to communicate in appropriate manner by using words which is understood by
audience. By taking accounting my abilities for public speaking I found that I am a beginner in
this field. With the help of quiz related to public speaking I scored 7. Other than this, on the
bass of Johari Window Test I identified that I am quite and an anxious person. This shows that I
am not a public speaker. One time, while presenting a presentation I felt nervous because of
which my interaction with audience break. Still now during interacting with other person I
hesitate which ultimately decrease my pace of taking and creates problem in delivering my
presentation in an effective manner. Belbins test:- On the basis of this test public speaking skills is a function in effective
manner within an organisation. This test is conduct when company identify strength and
weakness of a person. Personality test:- This use to select the person whose behaviour is good towards the
group member . Johari window adjectives:- It help in describing every persons participation, capability,
ability and adaptation.
 Feedback on presentation:- This is useful when an individual gives presentation in
front of large audience to get proper feedback.
Can you identify any contradiction from your above analysis?
I am good speaker and before transferring information and data to other person I use effective
communication process so that message can be delivered in an effective manner within the
company. Other than this, I prefer to talk to large number of people and I feel good in providing
information related to a specific topics. Therefore, according to me the best way of improving
the skills and knowledge of public speaking is by having better command over language
because it further assists in transferring proper information to right person in an effective
manner. Thus, it is crucial that a person have appropriate knowledge for interacting with person
effectively.
How might this skills help me in the future?
This skills is prove helpful for me when I teach something to the large number of audience such
as a teacher, professor or lecturer etc. so it is important for me to remove all barriers for
completion of work in minimum time without creating any problems which may affect

organization success (Salvatore and et. al., 2012). Therefore, these kinds of things assist me in
improving my confidence level so that interacting with people within the organisation becomes
easier. As a result, it will help me in managing activities, issues and problems in an effective
manner.
Reflection on Time management
What is the core skill to develop?
As per the view of Wiklund Gustin and Wagner (2013), Time management skills is that
method or techniques which allows people for organising and arranging positive outcomes in
given time period. It is required for me is to manage time as per the set skills that will help in
coordinating and managing entire life.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on?
Time management has different benefits which help a person in order to achieving with large
opportunities in given time period and also minimising the tensions and make them capable for
taking relevant decisions as per the organisation welfare. According to the view of Phillips
(2002), time management skills aim is to manage and maintain time where they perform their
functions and activities in better manner. The most successful person in the world can be
accompanying to their reaching with greater time management activity on regular basis. For
managing effective time, they are required for getting relevant results or outcomes in all time.
For instance, time management skill help an individual for performing their task in given time
period.
Reflect on your current competence regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence?
For identifying the skills and abilities in managing the time and variance analysis as I consider
myself as a person. In this skill, questionnaire demonstrate that I gained score of 44 out of 50
which defines that I have full knowledge and understanding regarding management skills.
Moreover, time management test determines the results for administration about questionnaire.
Competencies outcomes indicates my plans and priority that are reliable for maintaining and
managing stressful situations.
 Belbins test – This test is required for managing time which is conducted by an

organisation and it will assist in analysing positive strength and weakness of each and
every employee effectively.
 Personality test – Under time management skill, it is required for capable individual
which need to identify another person personality according to schedule of time which
are set by company (Maddux and Kleiman, 2012). It can be easy for achieving desired
targets and goals effectively.
 Johari window adjectives – It is useful in exploring and searching patience and calm
person who can easily manage whole time and deal with complex issues or problems.
 Feedback on presentation – Lastly, time management is considered as effective
performance by a single person so this is required for another individual is to deliver
accurate response and feedback towards developing schedule in given time period.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above?
In order to understand and evaluate the end of managing time along with test skill, competency
test, management questionnaire and I require to manage my time abilities so I can easily
addressing the tool kit that are worthy presumptive. Along with this, I can not identify any type
of contradiction by analysing all the above descriptions which are match between results and
how I see myself in this particular skill.
How might this skill help me in the future?
With the assistance of time management skill, I can easily reaching with personal and
professional targets in future time period. Such skill help me in developing and formulating
professional in limited time period against with large number of competitors and also gain
huge opportunities. This skill will assist me in developing professional in short time for against
with my rivals and also gain more opportunities.
Reflection on Assertiveness
What is the core skill to develop?
According to the view point of Wiklund Gustin and Wagner (2013), Assertiveness is the
behaviour which include provide effective rights, needs and thoughts to an individual and it
provide opportunities to other individual. Assertiveness develop and build conflicts that assist in

resolving various issues or problems.
Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on?
Assertiveness can encourage the self esteem and also gain respect from other individual that can
assist in analysing and learning the positive behaviour. The conflict resolution assist
assertiveness in communication in order to reach with accurate results or outcomes (Gonzales
and Hancock, 2011). Assertiveness defined to interact with various people in satisfying their
needs in better manner.
Reflect on your current competence regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence?
It is required for assertiveness skill is to applied variance analysis where I can see myself as a
higher level. According to the assertiveness, questionnaire test assist in developing effective
time period. There are various which I required to conduct while analysing assertiveness.
 Belbins tests – It is used for solving main arising issues and problems by examining
conflicts among various group of members in the company.
 Personality tests- This test can be used for recognise the behaviour or personality of an
individual towards solving major issues in proper manner. For evaluating nature and
personality of employees then identify the major problems.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above?
For determining the relevant results and outcomes of the assertiveness form, Johari window
test, jung personality tests and may nature so I can said that all the method are reasonably
confiding. For instance, as per me I have personal idea in Johari window test which does not
fully match with my peers point of view so I can easily recognise the skill in order to resolve
issues and problems.
How might this skill help me in the future?
Assertiveness and conflict management is the beneficial skill which can be used for future time
period as they will provide major advantages. This is helpful for protect myself and also take it
at the end point in better manner. In future, this skill help in resolving issues and problem which
occurs among employees.

Summary and action plan
In this, I can analyse my strength and weakness which help me in analysing whether it is
used or not in any situation in better manner.
Strength – I am good in communication skill which assist in developing and creating
proper understanding between managers and employees. Along with this, I need to resolve all
major issues and problems that help in overcoming from any other circumstances so that they
can easily develop and hold all adjusted things properly. I am ready to face major challenges and
issues that may occurs while knowing job position at workplace.
Weakness – An individual has certain weak points that must be remove by using different
methods or techniques in better manner. Public speaking skill is weak where I need to develop
and build confidence and existence on platform. Another is time management skill where I
manage time in given time period.
Personal Development Plan:
Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely
Name the
area of
development
you want to
work on
Exactly
what you
want to
work on
Break the
area down to
a specific
target of
skill
How you are
going to
measure
improvement?
Where is the
evidence
going to come
from?
Are planned
actions
realistic
within your
life?
When and
how you will
work on
this?
How are
actions
relevant to
skill?
Explain how
they will
help you
achieve goal
When
should this
be
completed?
Set a timely
deadline of
achievement
Development
Area 2
Public
speaking
skill
I need to
attend
seminars
and
conferences
for
improving
communicati
on skills.
I require to
reach with 10
out of 9 points
in this skill
In real, I
actually
attain the 10
out of 6
points on
this specific
public
speaking
skill
For
improving
Public
speaking
skill I need
to
participated
in public
seminars and
conference
and also
reduces the
hesitation
level.
3 month

Development
Area 3
Time
managemen
t
I required to
manage time
and make
accurate
schedule and
also give top
priority to
my essential
work.
I need to
achieve with
10 out of 5
points in this
core skill.
The
attainable
point is
around 8 for
managing
effective
time period.
For make
improvemen
t in
managing
time I
require to
create
schedule
which gives
priority to
essential
tasks.
2 months

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Armstrong, M. (2012) Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice. 12th ed.
London: Kogan Page.
Bureau, O. (2013) ‘Effective time management is the key to success’. The Hindu Business Line.
Butler, G. and Hope, T. (2007) Managing Your Mind. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Daft, R. and Lane, P. (2007) The leadership experience. Mason, OH: Thomson/South-Western.
Foucault, M., Davidson, A. I and Burchell, G., 2010. The government of self and others:
Lectures at the Collège de France 1982–1983. Springer.
Geyer, N., Mogotlane, S. and Young, A. (2009) Juta's manual of nursing. 2nd ed. Paarl: Juta.
Gonzales, A. L and Hancock, J. T., 2011. Mirror, mirror on my Facebook wall: Effects of
exposure to Facebook on self-esteem. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social
Networking. 14(1-2). pp.79-83.
Maddux, J. E and Kleiman, E. M., 2012. Self‐efficacy. The Wiley Handbook of Positive Clinical
Psychology. pp.89-101.
Phillips, A. (2002) Assertiveness and the manager's job. Abingdon: Radcliffe Medical
Press.Rao, P. (2015) Time management for new employees. Birmingham: Packt
Publishing Ltd.
Salvatore, G and et. al., 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.
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.
Wiklund Gustin, L and Wagner, L., 2013. The butterfly effect of caring–clinical nursing
teachers’ understanding of self‐compassion as a source to compassionate care.
Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. 27(1). pp.175-183.
Online
Personal Development and Self Development Skills. 2017. [Online]. Available through
<http://www.intelligenthq.com/education/25-self-development-skills-to-learn-for-free-
online-this-year/>.