reflection
Personal Development Plan
Aim 1
Improving my understanding of what a leader is and my ability to lead a team.
Action
My current employers have offered to put me through a two-day leadership course with Impact Factory
Watch and understand presentational talks on ‘How to be a great leader’ via TedTalk
Learn from observing experienced managers doing their job
Resources
Training course
· https://www.impactfactory.com/leadership-course
· With work and university its quite difficult to find two days which I can dedicate to this. Will ask my place of employment for time off.
Presentations
· https://www.ted.com/playlists/140/how_leaders_inspire
Observation
· Understanding that senior colleagues are willing to let me observe their actions.
Measurement
Training course
· Impact Factory course assessment report
· Current employer’s quarterly performance review
Presentation
· Once I have self-belief that I am gaining an understanding of the benefits of being an effective leader
Observation
· Mentoring and performance appraisals with my manager
· Seeing an improvement whilst participating in development centre’s
Review Date
All these actions will be received by the latest of this time next year (March 2020)
Aim 2
Improve my self-confidence within the workplace
Action
Volunteer to lead the next project that arises at work to build credibility and experience.
Watch presentations to get a better understanding on how to build my self-confidence and also to understand how it’s okay to fail.
Become more of an outgoing person in relation to work and also my friendship group
Resources
I will need my senior manager to sign off on me taking control of the next project.
https://www.ted.com/playlists/259/talks_to_give_you_a_confidence
Work colleagues and friendship group
Measurement
After project report from my colleagues and manager.
Test myself by entering into situations at work in which I would usually avoid and then analyse the outcome.
After a period question my closer colleagues and friends as to whether they have noticed a change in my personality.
Review Date
These three actions would usually be completed by the end of the academic year 2020, however I see this is a vital part of my process therefore I would like to have completed all of these tasks within the next half year. (September 2019)
Aim 3
Active Listening- I would like to improve my listening skills to better understand situations as they arise.
Action
Watch and understand videos on effective listening skills and how to improve via TEDTalk
Read the article on Forbes ‘6 Ways Effective Listening Can Make You a Better Leader’ to understand what employers are looking for.
Have regular meetings with my supervisor where he will question aspects of work that he expects me to know.
Resources
https://www.ted.com/search?q=listen+better
The approval and confirmation from my supervisor
Measurement
After watching the videos on active listening attempt to apply what you’ve learnt to a real life scenario. This could be a scheduled meeting with a tutor/mentor, an interview for an out of education event. Analyse what you have learnt and assess whether your performance improved.
Following the next in person professional meeting you have assess whether you actively accomplished the 6 ways in which listening can make you a better leader.
I’m very aware that I struggle with this aspect currently, therefore it will be measured by my supervisor giving me regular feedback meetings.
Review date
All of the above aims will be completed by this time next year (March 2020)