Reflective Journal on Core Skills: Understanding Self and Others

This document presents a student's reflective journal entries, exploring core skills essential for professional development. The journal entries delve into four key areas: time management, team working, public speaking, and negotiation. Each entry includes a reflection on the student's current competence, identification of contradictions, and skills required for future development, supported by various assessment methods like the Johari test, peer feedback, and tutor feedback. The time management section highlights the importance of efficient time use and the student's strengths and areas for improvement. The team working section emphasizes collaboration and conflict resolution. The public speaking entry addresses confidence and communication skills. Finally, the negotiation section discusses the importance of compromise and effective communication. The student analyzes their abilities and plans for future growth in each of these critical areas, providing insights into their personal and professional development journey.

Understanding Self and
Others

Table of Contents
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY................................................................................................1
SUMMARY AND ACTION PLAN................................................................................................7
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................11

REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA 1
Core skill
Time management is the core skill. Time management is a very crucial skill
which includes the management of time accordingly. Time management is
basically doing the work and arranging them in such a manner that work
can be completed efficiently and on time. Time management helps in using
the limited time(Kirillov and et.al., 2015).
Importance of time management.
The time management is important as it uses the time in such a manner
that no time is wasted and there is optimum utilisation of time. Through
time management one can bring the changes he wants to see and not
waiting for them(Noe and et.al., 2017). For example- A person can do
scheduling of his daily task so that he don't get confused and there will be
no work remain undone.
I choose this skill as my core skill as I am good at managing time and
creating balance between my work and time. I sometime fails to manage
time by estimating lesser time for the specific work which took more time.
Reflection on current competence
For measuring my competence I used Johari test, Peer Feedback and Tutor
Feedback. Where Johari test is a test which scores the persons skills on the
basis of the way of doing his work. The test result showed that my time
management is excellent and I have scored good. Also from the Peer test
from my colleagues results, I recognised that I can complete my work on
time with no wastage of time. My tutor feedback showed that although I am
a good time manager but I need to work upon it to make it even better.
From the feedback by the Peer and Tutor I learned that I have to set time
1

according to the work allotted to me and try to complete the work on time.
Identification of contradictions from above discussion.
Though I have a strong management skill there is a scope of betterment in
the setting of priorities and work accordingly. I need to set the goals and do
important works earlier and than the less important work. Although I am
good at management of time but I sometimes cannot make the right
decision of the work to be done first which sometimes delay my work.
Sometime I am not able to complete my work on time as I impose
unnecessary time for completion of one task rather than all tasks.
Skills required for the future development
My time management skills can be a plus point for my successful career and
I can use it in my studies by allotting the specific time for the particular
subject to study and help in completion of my studies on time. Thereafter
the time management will help me in utilization of my work in my business.
Time management will help me in achieving my career goals.
Like now I can use time management in exams so that I complete my
answer sheet in time allotted. I can divide my exam time for each question
and than write the answer in time.
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA 2
Core skill
Team working is the skill which includes the collectively working and accomplishing the goals
collectively. Team working requires the skills like active listening, group decision and involving
suggestions. Team working skill help the team member in solving the problems in the task
together and reaching the targets in specified time period.
Importance of team working skill
2

Team working skill is very important when there is huge work to be done and the work is
allotted to more than a person. For example – Amazon company which deals in providing
online services by delivering products at there home. The company uses team work to take an
order, process the order and thereafter delivering the order(Parker and et.al., 2016).
I choose the team working skill as team working is required at any stage of life whether it be
studies, home and travelling. We need to cooperate with others in many ways so we have to
be a good listener and a good communicator.
Reflection on Current competence
For measuring my current competence I used 123 Teams Test, Peer test and Tutor test. 123
team test is done to evaluate the status of team working skill in me. The results of which
shows that I own a good team working skills. I can manage and cooperate with the team. Also
the results of Peer test shows that I have a good communication skills which helps me in
communicating with my team well. My tutor test result showed that I am good in listening and
giving suggestions on the topic so concerned.
With the help of 123 team test, Peer test and Tutor test I learnt that I have good team working
skills but I need to work on managing the conflict situation in the team.
Identification of contradictions
There are no contradictions found in the 123 team test, Peer test and Tutor test with my
present team working skills. I am a perfect at all the aspects of the team working, I actively
responses to the team members and suggests the ideas for the betterment of the team work. I
am very respectful to the members of my time and give all of them chances to make the work
better.
But sometimes there are conflict situations which arises in the team and which can have
major effect on the work I need to learn that how I can quickly solve the problem. Due to lack
of ability of resolving conflicts I am trapped in the situation and cannot decide right or wrong.
Skills required for future development
3

The team working skill is important in the business. As a enterpriser this skill is very useful to
me for proper guidance of team and achieving the goals. Team managing will help me become
a good leader also I can listen and follow the advices and suggestion given to me by my team
members. Now team working is helpful in my studies as I cooperate with my teacher and ask
the doubt about my subjects.
For example- when there will be any big project I have to work upon I will discuss with my
team and allot them work accordingly and regulates the work also helping them to solve there
problems at personal levels.
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA 3
Core skill
My core skill is public speaking. Public speaking relates to communication or
expressing of the information or ideas to the audience. For public speaking
there must be a speaker and listeners that are audience. The public
speaking can be done anywhere which includes schools, workplace and can
be personal lives.
Importance of Public Speaking
Public speaking is an essential skill required by every person. One should
know how to express their ideas and words to the public by speaking in the
public. This skill needs a high level of confidence so that the speaker
doesn't feel uncomfortable in public and panic while speaking(North, North
and Coble, 2015).
For example public speaking skills are utilised when there is elaboration of
any presentation in office or college.
I choose this skill as it is important for building self confidence, personality
and ability to communicate effectively in the public. I am not too good at
public speaking and feel uncomfortable while speaking in public.
4

Reflection on current competence
For measuring my competence I used Johari Window test and Tutor
Feedback test. Johari Window test is used to evaluate the interpersonal
communication skills of the person. The results of Johari Window states that
my public speaking is not to good and there is lack of confidence in me.
Also the peer feedback from my colleagues states that I am uncomfortable
while speaking and sometimes repeats the same sentence twice while
speaking in public. The tutor feedback shows that I am having quite good
public speaking, the content I write is perfect in all sense but the
presentation of the thoughts are not so good. I need to work upon the
speaking practices. Through practising again and again I can improve the
speaking abilities.
Identification of contradictions from the above discussion
There is no contradictions with the Johari Window test, Peer feedback and
Tutor feedback. As the Johari Window test suggests there is lack of
confidence in me when I speak in public actually I became nervous on stage
and repeat words , this weakness sometime ruins my presentation as the
content doesn't make sense if the presentation is not so good.
The results of peer test suggest that I need improve my speaking skills in
public. The peer test suggests that I should boost my confidence for public
speaking.
By the lack of communication skills I am not able to speak frequently in the
public and cannot deliver the whole presentation I prepare to speak.
Skills required for future developments
Public speaking is a very good career option I can be anchor, motivator and
host in the programs. Though public speaking is great from the professional
perspective but there is benefit in personal life too which will help me in
expressing my thoughts to people or gathering.
When I will choose a career of a speaker I will have to increase my
5

confidence level , focus on sentence formation and there presentation in
the public. I need to develop a logical flow to a speech.
For example- by focusing on this skill I can grab control over the power
point presentation which will help me in the job. As being a host I have too
access the audience in a effective manner.
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ENTRY PRO-FORMA 4
Core skill
Negotiation is the core skill. It is the process in which people settles
difference at by there mutual consent and dissolve the issue. Negotiation is
helpful when there is disagreement in the individuals they willingly
communicate and arrive at a mutual compromise which is helpful to both
the persons in issue.
Importance of negotiation
Negotiation skills are essential as they are important at every aspect of life.
Sometimes a person needs to negotiate at various level be it school or the
workplace. By negotiating there can be opened door to success. A good
negotiation includes a good listener and a good speaker. Negotiation helps
in making compromises and also satisfying the other person for the thing
which we wants. It also helps in reducing the lengthy process of involving
any other people in the middle. Negotiation can bring with it the
opportunities to be grabbed. Negotiating can help a person improving
knowledge by understanding deeply(Stevens and et.al., 2018).
Reflection on current competence
For measuring my competence on negotiation I used VARK Test which
suggests that I am average on the negotiation and I am not be able to make
a good offer on any matter and my ability to communicate is not good. Also
the Peer Feedback Test states that there is lack of knowledge in me while
compromising on the issue. I need to increase my knowledge on the several
matters so that I don't negotiate on less where I can get more. For making
6

the good offer in negotiation I need to focus on the core areas of the topic
under negotiation. Also I need to express my proposal in such a manner that
there remains no doubt in the opposing party for my proposal.
Identification of contradictions from above discussion
There are no contradictions on the results of VARK Test and the Peer
Feedback test. Though I am good at negotiating but sometimes lack behind
in understanding the offer and loose the opportunities in my hand. I am
good at listening but I lack the ability to propose and explain my offer
effectively to the other person. In a argument I am not being able to speak
as I am not having very well communication skills to express myself. Also I
lack in bargaining powers which results in purchasing of products by me at
higher price than my expectations. I need to work upon the areas like
listening carefully and giving the active response to the other person.
Skills required for future developments
Negotiation skill can be helpful in many great opportunities in future. It can
be helpful in every aspect of life whether it is personal or professional life. In
personal life I will negotiate smartly on products I need to buy and in
professional life this quality will help me achieving the business goals. I can
evaluate and study the offer given to me and than accept or reject the offer
so provided by them.
For example- there can be time in my job when I will want a increase in
salary but my boss offers the promotion of my post with less amount of
increment of salary but he offers perquisites too. So at that time I will think
about the career objective and negotiate with my boss.
7

SUMMARY AND ACTION PLAN
With the help and evaluation of the these skills I can to know about my
strengths and weakness. My strengths will help me in improving my quality
of work and studies. On the other hand I need to improve and work upon the
weakness included in my work. For eliminating the weakness I need to make
plans so that I can overcome with the weakness and achieve the career
goals. Following are my strengths and weaknesses-
Strengths-
 I am good in time management. I best allocate the work and than uses
the time accordingly which saves my time and help me completing my
work on time.
 I also possess the skill of team work. I am having a good
communication skills that is helpful in managing the team effectively
thereby creating a good team work.
Weaknesses-
 I am not good in public speaking. I usually become nervous in speaking
in public and there is lack of confidence in me while expressing my
views in public. I need to improve and boost up my confidence level so
as to improve my public speaking .
 Also I am not able to negotiate well. I lack the ability to express the
proposal qualitatively to the other person. And I am not good at
making the decisions on the negotiation proposals too. I will learn to
listen and express the negotiation proposals properly.
Personal development plan-
Areas of
Improvem
ent
Specific Measurabl
e
ATTAINABL
E
RELEVAN
T
TIMELY
Developm
ent area 1
To improve
I need to
improve my
public
In order to
improve my
public
For gaining
confidence I
often need
I can listen
to the
public
2 months
8

my public
speaking
skill
speaking
skill in
order to be
more
expressive
in public.
speaking
skill I need
to gain self
confidence
and also
make
myself
more
presentable
in public
while
speaking.
to practise
in relatively
small
gathering. I
can record
and than
listen to my
audio so
that I can
evaluate the
major
problem
making
areas.
speakers
and the
motivators
and see
how they
speak in
public so
to enhance
my quality
of public
speaking
Developm
ent area 2
To improve
my
negotiation
skills.
I need to
improve my
negotiation
skill by
attentive
listening
and
presenting
a quality
proposal to
the
another
party in
negotiation
In order to
improve my
negotiation
I must gain
knowledge
about the
matters in
negotiation
and also
practice the
reports on
the
decision
making.
To gain the
knowledge I
can use the
relevant
factors of
the matter
in
negotiation
and
evaluate the
key factors
of the
negotiation.
I need to
analyse
the
behaviour
of the
parties so
that I can
manage
and take a
good
decision on
matter in
negotiation
.
1 month
9

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Kirillov, A. V. and et.al., 2015. Theory and practice of time-management in
education. Asian Social Science. 11(19).p.193.
Noe, R. A. and et.al., 2017. Human resource management: Gaining a
competitive advantage. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
North, M. M., North, S. M. and Coble, J. R., 2015. Virtual reality therapy: an
effective treatment for the fear of public speaking. International
Journal of Virtual Reality (IJVR). 3(3). pp.1-6.
Parker, R. and et.al., 2016. 112 Are final year medical students prepared for
clinical practice: a simulation to observe inter-professional team
working behaviours?.
Siu, J., Maran, N. and Paterson-Brown, S., 2016. Observation of behavioural
markers of non-technical skills in the operating room and their
relationship to intra-operative incidents. The Surgeon. 14(3). pp.119-
128.
Stevens, C. A. and et.al., 2018. Using cognitive agents to train negotiation
skills. Frontiers in psychology. 9. p.154.
10

APPENDIX
Johri window
123 test
VARK test
11