Personal and Professional Development

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Table of Contents

Task 01.............................................................................................................................................3

1.1, 1.2 & 1.3 Self-managed Learning.........................................................................................3

Task 02.............................................................................................................................................6

2.1 Skills and Knowledge............................................................................................................6

2.2, 2.3 & 2.4 Development Plan.................................................................................................7

Task 03.............................................................................................................................................9

3.1 Actions & Challenges............................................................................................................9

3.2 & 3.3 Success of the Actions.................................................................................................9

3.4...............................................................................................................................................10

Task 04...........................................................................................................................................11

4.1 Problem Solving...................................................................................................................11

4.2 Communication....................................................................................................................11

4.3 Time Management...............................................................................................................12

References......................................................................................................................................13

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Task 01

1.1, 1.2 & 1.3 Self-managed Learning

“Self-managed learning is something that managers should do and there are many

resources available to help them with this.”

The above mentioned quote is a question in itself and when it asks for my personal judgment, I

am bound to say that I agree with the statement. To give evidence to my decision I will give

reasons as to how self-managed learning is a great tool in the process of personal and

professional development of individuals. Coming to the statement, it talks about self-managed

learning, which is a form of self-education by individuals aimed at their own sense of

development, both personally and professionally (Cunningham, Bennett and Dawes, 2000). I

agree that this form of learning is very apt in helping individuals or managers in their

development. The common components associated with self-managed learning are choosing

what to learn, why to learn, when to learn, how to learn and also the resources to be used in the

learning process (Pauleen and Gorman, 2011). The managers that are willing to focus on self-

managed learning have a range of resources available to them. But before using the resources,

what is needed is the will and commitment to acquire and adapt to the process (Bembenutty,

2011).

Managers today are responsible for many different types and degrees of work, and in this they

forget their own aims and objectives. Self-managed learning as a tool can work around the daily

activities of the manager, making him/her more aware of its needs (Lankhuijzen, 2002). I agree

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with the statement because of the many benefits that self-managed learning entails within. Some

of the benefits are as follows:

One of the most influential benefits of the self-managed learning process is it helps build

self-confidence in managers by assuring them of their capabilities and also revealing their

boundaries.

It helps in making the manager more aware of its surroundings and also more proactive in

recognizing the best from the worst. Managers need to deal with a lot of activities during

their work and self-managed learning will keep them updated of new and improved

methods helpful in their line of work (Bembenutty, 2011).

Self-managed learning inculcates confidence and skill which in turn inculcates trust

among peer groups. Managers need trust from others to effectively execute their work

and self-learning will increase confidence in their attitude which will help them in

connecting with other people (Cunningham, Bennett and Dawes, 2000).

Self-managed learning also helps in reducing the stress level of managers by making

them more confident, relaxed and focused in their work (Pauleen and Gorman, 2011).

Self-managed learning is an individual task but it takes helps of many factors such as preparing a

questionnaire for themselves for listing their qualities and drawbacks, and finding areas of

improvements. Mangers can also prepare their own resume to better understand themselves and

this will help in presenting themselves to others (Lankhuijzen, 2002). Lastly managers can

prepare a personal development plan and should include their goals in life, methods to be used to

fulfil the said goals, time frame and the measurement aspect of the achieved goals (Pauleen and

Gorman, 2011).

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Coming to the resources available to a manager, books can serve as the starting point of

understanding the process, followed by internet, newspapers, workshops, expert advices and also

opinions of close friends or relatives. All in one, managers today can be greatly helped by the

self-managed learning process (Belker and Topchik, 2005) and I agree that it will make them

more efficient given the huge range of resources available to be used by them.

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Task 02

2.1 Skills and Knowledge

As a manager, my work involves countering many activities at once and also managing many

employees. In my will to achieve my goals, I require certain skills and over the years I have

acquired many skills to effectively perform my duty. These skills have helped me in meeting my

objectives and also the organizational objectives. But in order to better decide my skills and the

demands of my profession, I have conducted a SWOT analysis of myself, which is mentioned

below.

STRENGTHS – As a manger my most important skill is that I know how to manage people,

both under and above my position. I believe that I effectively communicate between the top and

lower levels of the organization. I am very positive when I am at the job and I show calmness in

solving difficult situations. I am very good in finding the wrong areas in the organisation in the

organisation (Belker and Topchik, 2005). I also have good skills of evaluating jobs and selecting

the right person for the right job.

WEAKNESS – Apart from my skills, I have some weaknesses that become a hurdle in my

personal as well as professional development. I have very poor customer service skill and I

sometimes lack the skill to handle too much skill and this is one area in need to work upon. I also

need to develop my networking skill to analytically evaluate mine as well as others work.

OPPURTUNITY – As a manager, the most important opportunity for me is in HR department

where I can achieve great heights with my years of experience. I can be of great help in the HR

department as I have good people management skills (Mintzberg, 2004).

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THREATS – My biggest threats would be my limitations and also my competitors. My limited

skills in selling department may prove fatal in future prospects.

Along the SWOT analysis, a professional development plan can also help m decide the skills that

I have and the skills that I need to acquire for my future goals.

2.2, 2.3 & 2.4 Development Plan

A development plan is a framework of personal as well as professional development where one

learns about the skills it has in the present and also he skills that it needs for the future

(Kruckeberg, Amann and Green, 2011).

My Skills How will I

achieve this

Measurement

of the

achievement

Time frame Help from

others

Objectives

#1 Learning a

new

Language

By watching

videos, taking

course,

interacting

more in that

language,

reading

magazines,

Tutor

guidance

Passing

language tests

and

communicatin

g more in the

language

In the next 2

years

Tutor,

Friends,

Colleagues

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#2 Visiting more

places

Travelling Vacation

planning,

Vacation diary

or journal

Always Travel agents,

Friends,

Relatives

#3 Developing

analytical

ability for

forecasting

Self-managed

learning, by

taking more

analytical

based work

projects

Performance

results

No set time

frame

Colleagues

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Task 03

3.1 Actions & Challenges

From the above development plan, it is evident I am very serious in fulfilling my objectives and

learning the necessary skill set that will help me in my future projects. But making the

development plan is one thing and actually taking initiative to fulfil the needs is another thing. I

am a very positive person and I believe that true will and commitment can overcome any task.

While carrying out the actions to further my development plan I was faced with many personal

commitments that slowed me down (Sangster, 2000). I developed a well-designed strategy and

agreed to follow the steps, both personally and professionally.

While trying to learn Japanese as my preferred language, I was faced with issues such as very

limited resources and no proximity to any good tutor. This hindered my will to learn Japanese as

a future skill but I was adamant and by the use of videos, radio channels and internet I am slowly

grasping a new language. Major challenges were time management and money. Time was very

limited for me to visit many places and also money constraints which limited my visit to two

destinations a year.

The practicality made me more accountable to my current profession and also personal life took

a setback (Sangster, 2000). I became less social and more work oriented. But I am positive that

with time and will, I will be able to achieve my desired skills set and one day I will be able to

fulfil my actions of the development plan.

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3.2 & 3.3 Success of the Actions

The activities I took such as the SWOT analysis and the Development Plan were very helpful in

paving the way for achieving my aims. I started understanding me in a more profound way and

also my strengths. I could now limit myself to be pessimistic and I also gained more insight

about my character. I am more confident in talking to others and that too in more than one

language. I am able to evaluate mine and other performance in a more analytical manner based in

facts and figures. I am learning more about the world and the skills that I need to further within

myself. But if I get an opportunity to develop my plan again, I would add leadership and

motivation skill as something which I need for my future deals. I would change analytical ability

to more IT related skill as my long term goal.

3.4

Coming to changes I wanted to do in my original development plan, I at first started more

participating in the HR practices to get to know the people more and develop a cordial

relationship with them. I also visited Japan twice to improve more on my knowledge about the

Japanese culture, their values and interact more with the Japanese culture. I also started

participating in the interview process of my organisation to identify the right employee for the

organisation. I also helped the HR manager in structuring the salary structure and all these

activities helped me gaining more insight into various other departments of my organisation.

Getting more acquainted with various departments and people, I learned about motivation and

leadership management in the organisation. I want to become a great leader that motivates

people for personal and organisational development and an effective development plan is the

starting step in that direction.

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Task 04

4.1 Problem Solving

I am the Manager at an organisation in the UK and I am responsible for many processes in the

organisation. One of the issues that I am faced with is employee shortage. The employee strength

in my organisation us much less than required and as a result many production processes are

hindered because of this. To overcome this, I regularly look after the worker issues, their

working environment, their incentives and also their safety. I also undertook major recruitment

drive and also negotiated with major worker unions to help create a balanced working

environment between the management and the employees (Reed, 2013).

4.2 Communication

Persuasive email to a Manager

Due to the impending issue of incomplete marketing report, I believe that it is because of as a

manager I am getting very less time due to constant calling by the marketing department for

advices. One solution that I see that telecommunicating for a day in the week would allow me to

effectively complete the marketing report and on the next day we could discuss the report along

performance lines.

Thanks.

Apologetic email to a Customer

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It is with deep regret that I received your email about sending defective items to one of our most

valued customers. I am truly sorry about the troubles you faced and my company owes you the

greatest apologies as it is totally our fault.

Thank you for writing to us about your issue and we will definitely try to improve our services.

Best Regards.

Confirmation email to an Employee

Dear Mr David, I am very pleased to announce that you have been selected as one of the

probationary recruits in our London Branch for the period of two years. Looking at your mid-

term scores and the interview results, the management is very impressed with you and we see a

great future ahead for you.

In light of your confirmation, we are looking forward in working with you and gaining your

expertise in our organisation.

Sincere Regards.

4.3 Time Management

As a manager, I have to monitor, assess and control many processes and personnel. This takes

efficient management of time and one of the most important strategies is prioritising tasks as this

enables me to complete urgent tasks more effectively (Mancini, 2003). Another strategy is

preparing a time log which will provide me with areas that are most productive and areas that are

not. Sharing tasks is also an effective time management tool. Last but not the least is

perseverance which gives me positive attitude towards harsh scenarios (Mancini, 2003).

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References

Belker, L. and Topchik, G. (2005). The first-time manager. New York, N.Y.: AMACOM.

Bembenutty, H. (2011). Self-regulated learning. San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass Inc.

Cunningham, I., Bennett, B. and Dawes, G. (2000). Self-managed learning in action. Aldershot,

Hampshire, England: Gower.

Kruckeberg, K., Amann, W. and Green, M. (2011). Leadership and personal development.

Charlotte, N.C.: Information Age Pub.

Lankhuijzen, E. (2002). Learning in a self-managed management career. [S.l.]: [s.n.].

Mancini, M. (2003). Time management. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Mintzberg, H. (2004). Managers, not MBAs. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

Pauleen, D. and Gorman, G. (2011). Personal knowledge management. Farnham, Surrey: Gower.

Reed, C. (2013). Problem solving. Vero Beach, Fla.: Rourke Educational Media.

Sangster, C. (2000). Planning and organizing personal and professional development. Aldershot,

Hampshire, England: Gower.

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