Personal and Professional Development (Research Paper Sample)

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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Table of Contents
TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc435528109 \h 3
Task 1 PAGEREF _Toc435528110 \h 3
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self managed learning PAGEREF _Toc435528111 \h 3
1.2 Propose ways in which lifelong in personal and professional contexts could be encouraged PAGEREF _Toc435528112 \h 4
1.3 Evaluate the benefits of self managed learning to the individuals and organizations PAGEREF _Toc435528113 \h 4
4.1 Select solution to work based problems6
4.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels7
4.3 Evaluate the use of effective time management strategies8
Task 28
2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards and organizational objectives9
2.2 Identify own development needs and activities required to meet them9
2.3 Identify development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs10
2.4 Devise a personal development plan based on identified needs11
3.1 Discuss the process and activities required to implement the development plan11
3.2 Undertake and document development activities as planned12
3.3 Reflect critically on own learning against original aims and objectives set in the development plan12
3.4 Update the development plan based on feedback and evaluation13
Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc435528128 \h 13
References PAGEREF _Toc435528129 \h 14
Introduction
This report involves identification of different approaches that can be used in self-managed learning (Bourner, 2011). It also provides an explanation on how self learning approaches can be encouraged so that most people can improve their skills through it. The report also highlights the benefits of self learning, work based problems which are likely to be faced by different organization. In addition, the report also provides strategies which can best ensure that time is managed effectively to eliminate time wastages (Bjork and Kornell, 2013). Finally, it involve in the development of personal development plan so that there will be an effective way of improving some skills which have not been strong currently.
1.1 Identify the approaches to self-managed learning and evaluate their suitability. Identify different learning styles and examine how these can be used to help individuals understand the benefits of each.
Learning can be done through a number of ways as the basic section of the employee’s responsibilities (Boud, 2013). It can take place either in the college or in the University. The approaches be low can be used to conduct self- managed learning.
Seminars and conferences
Self- managed learning can be done through seminars and conferences. These conventions can be used as an important way through which people can acquire knowledge and also able to present their knowledge about what they know to others (Boud, 2013). The importance of seminars and conferences is that they give people confidence of speaking before many people and also to develop presentation skills that are very essential in different settings.
Social networks
Social network is also a very important platform where self-managed learning can take place. The appropriate social network includes facebook and tweeter where most people take their time chatting to each other and getting to obtain new ideas (Boud, 2013). With social network, individual can lean how to work with others and also improve their communication skills (Pedler, 2011). It also gives people an opportunity to know how the owners of these social networks became successful and acquired their great success.
Internet
There is versed information in the internet where people can use to learn how to do certain things. Sites such as google can be used by learners to access academic journals and other articles which have important information that they can use to learn how to do certain things (Cunningham, 2010). It also gives many people to get access to information documented by various authors based on different subjects such as management, risks and even accountancy. This therefore allows people to get knowledge they need in their workplace thereby enabling them to become more successful in their work.
1.2 Discuss how you have identified your own learning and development method. Recommend how people could learn to identify suitable methods for development and suggest how you could encourage lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts.
The identification of personal learning and development method can be done by conducting SWOT analysis which is essential in identifying my weaknesses, strengths, threats and opportunities (Bourner, 2011). This therefore enables the execution of personal examination which is essential in building personal traits such as communication and presentation skills. Suitable methods for development can also be identified by the use of SWOT analysis so that the appropriate method can be identified by comparing strengths and weaknesses of each method. The method with more strengths, more opportunities, less weaknesses and threats can be selected.
Lifelong learning can be encouraged by the following below points
Self Evaluation
Personal evaluation is an appropriate way to encourage personal learning because it gives an individual person an opportunity to know his weaknesses, strengths, threats and opportunity. Through this one can identify areas which he needs to improve, the available opportunity which he needs to exploit to become better that they way he was before improvement.
Continuous Learning
This is a way in which individual is able to acquire more knowledge through experience and events. It gives the learner an opportunity to participate in events such as meetings where they are allowed to participate (Boud, 2013). In these events learners are able to practice certain skills such as communication and team working skills by working close to each other.
Effective Leadership
Leadership is the ability of an individual to influence others to do certain things (Bourner, 2011). It also forms part of lifelong learning as it ensures that we are able to know how to motivate others, how to allow people from different cultural background to work together and others. Through effective leadership learners are able to how best they treat each other in the organization and observe the reaction of others towards different leadership skills.
Good Communication and Relationships
Good communication and strong relationship between the management and the employee can also motivate other people to have lifelong learning. It will ensure that the employee get adequate time and freedom to continue with their education. Relationship also ensures that employees and the employer are able to support learning of colleagues and employee hence encourages individuals to have lifelong learning.
1.3 Evaluate the benefits of self managed learning to the individual and to the organization.
The benefits of self managed learning are very many to the organization and to the individual employee. It enables different people to develop leadership skills through gaining experience from their work (Bourner, 2011). These skills that are acquired through self-managed skills help the organization to develop positive relationship with each other and this helps in the development of cohesive team work. These skills also improve decision making skills and communication skills which increase the performance of the employee and the organization as a whole. This is because self managed skills ensure that the employees get additional personal and professional skills which are important in their work and personal growth.
4.1 Identify a work-based problem, at your work place or any other organization you are familiar with and suggest possible solutions.
Poor employee relationship
The employees are likely to have negative relationship based on minor wrangles between the employees. This can be caused by differences in tribal and ethnic backgrounds.
Duplication of Duties and Effort
The organization can also have problems of doing the same roles. The employees may not have proper responsibility to do and this may make the same group of workers doing the same job leading to duplication of duties and efforts.
Poor Work Quality
This is also a common problem where the company produces poor quality work. Poor quality work result from employees with no capacity to work for the company (Bourner, 2011). This problem reduces the company goodwill and also reduces customer satisfaction.
Solutions to the above Problems
Delegation
This is a very important factor that can reduce common employee’s problems. It can increase quality of work and also eliminate duplication of duties and effort in the organization. It involves assigning employees different and separate responsibilities (Boud, 2013). This increases accountability and transparency of employees in the organization.
Evaluations
Evaluation and monitoring is also able to solve some problems in the organization. It ensures that the problems are identified and corrected before they become extensive. It allows the management to compare the organization performance with goals that are set out in the business plan.
4.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels.
I can communicate with top level management orally by using the word of mouth in a meeting. This ensures that I can get immediate response from them. This can also be done to middle and lower level management. I can also communicate with all levels of management through the use of electronic means by the use of telephone, mobile phones and other means. I can also use non electronic means where I can use letters to express my opinion.
4.3 Evaluate ...