Personal and Interpersonal Skills: A Reflective Report and Analysis

This report is a reflective analysis of the author's core skills, including decision-making, creative thinking, self-esteem, and time management. It begins with an introduction highlighting the importance of self-understanding and its impact on others. The report then delves into a reflective journal, detailing each core skill, its importance, and how the author currently demonstrates these skills. The author assesses their competitiveness, identifies contradictions and weaknesses, and discusses the future relevance of these skills. The analysis incorporates relevant theories like Snyder's Theory of decision making, Creative Cognition Approach, and Stanley Coopersmith's Self-Esteem theory to justify the importance of each skill. The report concludes with a summary and action plan, aiming to improve performance and enhance skills in the face of increasing competition. This report, available on Desklib, offers valuable insights into self-development and professional growth.

Understanding self and
others

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
1. Reflective Journal........................................................................................................................1
1.1 The core skills.......................................................................................................................2
1.2 Importance of each of the core skills....................................................................................3
1.3 How competitive I am currently...........................................................................................5
1.4 Contradictions/Weaknesses from analysis............................................................................5
1.5 Importance of my core skills with respect to future..............................................................7
2. Summary and action plan.............................................................................................................7
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Understanding of oneself and the overall impact of it on others is of utter importance
(Castro and et.al., 2016). So, self development in terms of core skills needs to be done to find out
their impact on others. The report throws light upon understanding of various core skills which
are both personal and interpersonal of oneself along with required development.
1. Reflective Journal
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1.1 The core skills
For improvement of quality of life, success in endeavours of individuals and finding of
happiness and fulfilment of core skills serve as prerequisites. The core skills that I possess are
as follows: Decision making: The decision making skill that I possess are of high quality. Decision
making basically involves gathering of facts and figures, creation of new ideas and
making final selection from many alternatives with respect to the situation (Černe and
et.al., 2014). I am expert in gathering facts and figures because of my vast knowledge.
In many cases, selection of one particular and final alternative is a crucial part when so
many options are available. But my observation and understanding of given situation is
so good that I can make effective decision. Creative Thinking: It is obvious that for making decisions, coming up with new ideas is
highly essential. So, with keeping this in mind, My thinking skill is very much
enhanced. It helps in creation of new solutions, analysing the problem and exploring
new ideas. This skill is very much important whenever I have to face some critical
situations that no one could analyse (Derlaga and Berg, 2013). Creative thinking helps
me to come forward in terms of unique and effective solutions. Self-esteem: The affirmations that an individual has about living a fruitful lifestyle, is
considered under self-esteem. I am very confident in every challenge that come across
my path. I have firm belief that whatever the challenge or situation is, I have to be
positive about it. Also, I am confident that whatever task or situation I have to face, I
will definitely be successful in doing the same. This self-esteem skill possessed within
me is my asset towards facing any type of challenge.
 Time Management: Time has a crucial role in the life of an individual. Every task that
is to be done requires a particular time period for its completion (Hasson-Ohayon and
et.al., 2015). Proper time management ensures that the given task or daily activities are
completed within given time limit. This skill allows me to manage my personal
activities, skills and objectives that are set by me. So, proper management is essential
whenever I face ample of problems at a single time. It ensures me to solve those
problems in time.
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1.2 Importance of each of the core skills
Each of the core skill that I possess holds importance and justification about each of the
skill has to be done as follows: Decision-making: Synder's Theory of decision making helped me in understanding the
crucial role of a decision. According to Synder, the approach towards making a decision
is dynamic in nature (Higgins Snyder and Berglas, 2013). Decision makers take in
account all the situations for making decisions. If one fails to do so then credibility and
acceptability will not be achieved. According to him, factors involved within that
decision needs to be considered and the impact of that decision over society also has to
be analysed. For its effectiveness, I need to consider all liberal democratic systems also
that include various groups, political parties and non-governmental organization for
making my decisions. Creative Thinking: Its importance can be justified with the help of two theories that are
Creative Cognition Approach and Convergent & Divergent Thinking. The creative
cognition approach states that an individual develops mental representation of the
problem that has to be faced in a general phase (Huprich, 2014). Also, in the exploratory
phase for developing creative ideas, these creative pre-inventive structures are used.
However, the convergent thinking involves creation of a single and correct solution
towards the problem and divergent helps in creation of inventive resolution. So, both
these approaches help me in enhancing my skills and in creating creative ideas in
accordance with the situation. Self-esteem: The theory of Stanley Coopersmith's Self-Esteem is perfect in analysing
the importance of my core skill of self-esteem. It states that with help of foundation of
trust, unconditional love and security, self-esteem is acquired in early childhood (Kohu,
2013). So his research made it clear that the way parent's child rearing practices are
carried out helps in foundation of high self esteem. From my previous experience I have
enhanced my self -esteem as a result of which I have gained motivation.
 Time management: Importance of time management can be justified with the help of
popular Maslow's theory. According to it, matching of needs and wants of individuals
with management of time and forming a nourishing & wholesome complex by
integrating everything is very much important. Managing time reduces the burden of
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work and also helps in completion of set objectives. So, in order for my well being and
fulfilment of my goals, I need to make efficient use of time.
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1.3 How competitive I am currently
Based on my tool kit findings, with keeping in mind the current scenario of order, I can surely
be a tough competitor. For achieving the goals that are set by an individual, analysing the whole
situation is very much important (Kopala‐Sibley and et.al., 2014). With my improved decision
making skill, I have the ability to analyse situation or problems that I have to face in the path of
achieving my goal. No matter whatever the situation is, I can efficiently conduct research over
the facts and figures that are required to be found for the situation. My tutor also appreciated my
skills since I have assisted him in many decisions of teaching methodologies that involved
selection of one particular alternative from many.
Also, currently, the main issue faced by many is proper management of time (Straiton and et.al.,
2013). Individuals usually fail in achieving their desired goals because they do not possess time
management skills. This is also a plus point for me, since, I can effectively manage my time.
For example, at my workplace, I am frequently praised by my boss and colleagues because
whenever I assist them in any task, I effectively manage all the tasks on time because of which
time-limit is not a major issue to them since I am there to help. Also, I am able to manage
multiple tasks within stipulated time period. As a result of this, I am able to give enough time to
my family also because of which I am praised by them and my friends as well.
Many people, usually because of the burden of facing many problems at a time, get demotivated
and are not at all confident about their decisions. As a result, they hesitate to do every task
because of which they fail in achieving their goals and compete with others in the same field. In
order to face the tough competition of day-by-day changing world, one needs to have self-
esteem in ample. In context of this, I am very confident that my self-esteem will prove to be
quite beneficial to compete with the ongoing scenario. I can definitely compete with others
because I am very much confident that my self-esteem has improved my personality as a whole.
Creation of new ideas is also one of my strengths. A problem needs to have some alternatives as
well. I possess enhanced skills of creative thinking because of which I am able to give
innovative ideas with respect to a particular problem. Overall, this has turned me to into a new
emerging tough competitor.
1.4 Contradictions/Weaknesses from analysis
The analysis led me to know more about my core skills. This has helped me to evaluate myself
effectively. Although in the analysis, I found some weaknesses also that have to be considered
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by me. I am very good in decision making but many times it happens that while working in a
team everybody do not agree with my choices. At workplace also, whenever I propose certain
ideas for achievement of targets then, two three people always make objections. At times, this
situation makes me de-motivated because of which I lose concentration over the topic and
everyone gets disappointed. So, the weakness that was a major point of concern for me was that
I easily get de-motivated. This weakness needs some attention to be paid because it can damage
my effective decision making skill. And as a result my performance will be affected as a whole
(Lysaker and Dimaggio, 2014).
Furthermore, another contradiction that I found out was in accordance with self-esteem. I am
very much confident that with respect to my individual decisions my self-esteem is not a
problem at all. It rather strengthens me. But when work burden increases, and at the same time
if I have to manage different people, then dealing with them under such pressure becomes
difficult for me. So gradually my self esteem lowers down at some or the other point. So, I need
to make sure that work burden doesn't affect my efficiency. I need to utilise my time
management skills here in this case so that I am able to manage all the tasks in time. Despite the
complexity of tasks I need to create new ideas to handle them with full utilisation of my
creative thinking skills.
These contradictions or I can say my weak points, have to be taken care of, so that my
performance as an individual is not affected. Also, proper managing has to be done so that I can
effectively enhance my skills with respect to the growing competition.
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1.5 Importance of my core skills with respect to future
Since the competition in increasing with the evolving of technology, therefore the core skills
that I posses hold huge importance in the future. Time management will be a major skill that
will be of utter importance (Rodkin and et.al., 2015). The future of it will be very bright
because one has to mange tasks whether it is at workplace or at home, handling of different
situations has to be done. So, time management will me in effectively managing all my tasks. It
will be an asset for me in the future.
Also, with complexity of tasks self-esteem will play a crucial role in future with the evolving of
technology. The burden will definitely increase since people want to do multiple tasks. So to
compete in future with others one needs to have ample of self esteem which is again a plus
point for me.
Further, with the advancement of technology, demand for innovative and creative ideas will
definitely increase (Neff and Pommier, 2013). The reason for this is that, every problem needs
to have some alternatives which require the ability to think creatively. My enhanced creative
thinking is thus of utter importance with reference to future.
With the increasing complexity of technology and advancement also, in future many crucial
decisions have to be taken. This will require that the individual needs to stay updated with the
technology and all the happenings of the world, so that precise facts and information regarding
decision can be gathered. Again, my decision making skills will play an important role in future
where I can effectively take complex decisions.
2. Summary and action plan
The journal helped me a lot in analysing that what are my actual core skills and in which
areas I need development. So with reference to the strengths I found out that my time
management skills are the assets that will help me in competing with others in mere future. This
skill of mine differentiates me from others. Because of work load, many people fail to manage
tasks on time so my skills of time management will prove to be an asset (Rodkin and et.al.,
2015). Another strength of mine was my creative skills. In order to compete in future with other
competitive individuals one needs to have the ability to think creatively. This is an asset for me
because my creative thinking differentiates me from others as said by my tutor. Also, at
workplace my boss appreciated me because of my ability to think creatively for solution to a
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problem. I can prove to be a tough competitor in future because my core skills. Specially with
my enhanced skill in management of time for completing various tasks I can give a tough
competition to others. Also, creative thinking has helped in creation of many innovative ideas
that totally distinguishes me from others. So with my strengths I can face any challenge that
come in my way of achieving success.
I also got to know about my weaknesses which have to be pondered upon. The major
weakness of mine was motivation. Because of work load and handling of other tasks at the same
time, I had to deal with a lot of people. Some of them always contradict my decisions which de
motivates me up to a certain extent thereby affecting my working efficiency. So, attention must
be paid in this case.
I need to develop my motivation skills so that I do not get affected with the comments of
others. In every situation I have to stay motivated so that my working efficiency is not affected.
For achieving this, I can take help from seniors or my collogues who have already faced such
situation. I can also make use of my mine management and creative thinking skills so that my
working performance will not be affected as such.
Another area that requires development is handling of work load. I need to handle
multiple tasks with the growing complexity of tasks. In future also in order for competing with
others I need to have the ability to handle tasks effectively.
The third area that needs a bit of development is staying focussed with task and
neglecting the negative comments of others. I need to work upon this because I easily get
demotivated as a result of this. This as a whole affects my overall performance that leads to
disappointment. So, I need to stay focussed with whatever task I am given and also I should take
the comments positively which will as a whole help me in enhancing my overall core skills. If I
am able to cope up with my weaknesses, there is no such thing that could stop me from
achieving my goals and thus be successful.
Conclusion
The report briefly analyses the core skills that helps an individual to be successful and
cope up with the day-by-day growing competition. So, analysing these core skills will help an
individual to effectively manage tasks within given limit of time. Also, while working with or
handling a team development of these skills will ensure success and lead to self development.
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REFERENCES
BOOKS AND JOURNALS
Castro, V. L., and et.al., 2016. EUReKA! A conceptual model of emotion understanding.
Emotion Review. 8(3). pp.258-268.
Černe, M., and et.al., 2014. Congruence of leader self-perceptions and follower perceptions of
authentic leadership: Understanding what authentic leadership is and how it enhances
employees’ job satisfaction. Australian journal of management. 39(3). pp.453-471.
Derlaga, V. J. and Berg, J. H., 2013. Self-disclosure: Theory, research, and therapy. Springer
Science & Business Media.
Hasson-Ohayon, I., and et.al., 2015. Metacognitive and social cognition approaches to
understanding the impact of schizophrenia on social quality of life. Schizophrenia
research. 161(2). pp.386-391.
Higgins, R. L., and Snyder, C. R. Berglas, S., 2013. Self-handicapping: The paradox that isn’t.
Springer Science & Business Media.
Huprich, S. K., 2014. Malignant self-regard: A self-structure enhancing the understanding of
masochistic, depressive, and vulnerably narcissistic personalities. Harvard review of
psychiatry. 22(5). pp.295-305.
Kohut, H., 2013. The analysis of the self: A systematic approach to the psychoanalytic treatment
of narcissistic personality disorders. University of Chicago Press.
Kopala‐Sibley, D. C., and et.al., 2014. Understanding heterogeneity in social anxiety disorder:
Dependency and self‐criticism moderate fear responses to interpersonal cues. British
Journal of Clinical Psychology. 53(2). pp.141-156.
Lysaker, P. H. and Dimaggio, G., 2014. Metacognitive capacities for reflection in schizophrenia:
implications for developing treatments. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 40(3). pp.487-491.
Neff, K. D. and Pommier, E., 2013. The relationship between self-compassion and other-focused
concern among college undergraduates, community adults, and practicing meditators. Self
and Identity. 12(2). pp.160-176.
Rodkin, P. C., and et.al., 2015. A relational framework for understanding bullying:
Developmental antecedents and outcomes. American Psychologist. 70(4). p.311.
Straiton, M., and et.al., 2013. Pushing the boundaries: understanding self-harm in a non-clinical
population. Archives of psychiatric nursing. 27(2). pp.78-83.
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