Leadership Journal

Leadership Map Exercise

Step 3: Leadership Development Plan

In this step you will determine how to develop the needed proficiencies to model your desired leadership style.

For Step 3, refer to:

• Module 5: Skills for Leading Successfully and Leadership Development Plans

• Module 6: Team Support and Leadership Development Plans • Module 7: Finalize Your Team and Individual Development Plans

Use the leadership development plan below to help you determine how to prepare to model your desired leadership style. Identify the actions and steps to help close the gap between where you and where you need to be in terms of your proficiency level of the requirements.

Note: If your current employer has a development plan template, you may use it instead of this worksheet. However, ensure this template meets the requirements of a development plan as described below under Development Plan Elements.

Development Plan Elements

The basic elements of a leadership development plan should include the following:

1. The skills, behaviors, actions or other area you want to develop 2. The required level of proficiency or a description of the behavior

required for the skill 3. A description your level of proficiency compared to the requirements.

a. This can be a numeric assessment or words to describe your current proficiency

4. A development activity to close the gap or a new behavior to practice. a. This can be readings, assignments on the job, activities outside

of work, activities associated with clubs or professional

Leadership Map Exercise

associations, special projects or assignments at work, volunteer assignments or coaching from individuals, etc.

b. It needs to be an activity to provide you a chance to learn and practice new behaviors.

c. You can also list people as resources who can help you with your leadership development.

5. Target dates to accomplish and complete the development activities. a. It is important to hold yourself accountable to implement this

plan. Assigning dates for when you want to complete leadership development activities will help you.

b. You may want to include check-in dates to assess your progress prior to the final due date.

6. Your progress and results. a. It is motivating to document and track your progress, and to

record your accomplishments by the due date.

Instructions

Instructions on how to complete the leadership development plan worksheet are provided below.

See an example of the worksheet at the end of this document.

• As with Step 1 and 2 worksheets, record your entries in the journals. See Step 3 journal.

• You can copy the table below into your Step 3 journal or create a new format.

• Column 1: Identify what you want to work on and develop as outlined in your self-assessment log (Step 2 journal).

o Select two or three areas from your log where you assessed your proficiency level as “low”. Choose areas that you view are very important to your success on your career journey.

o Include those two to three areas and insert in Column 1 below. • Column 2: Indicate your current level of proficiency as outlined in your

assessment log (Step 2 journal). • Column 3: Determine the level you desire, whether medium or high. • Column 4: Provide a development activity that would help you develop

the skills, such as such as reading assignments, training seminars, professional workshops, on-the-job activities, learning with mentors or other subject matter experts, online tutorials, certificate programs,

Leadership Map Exercise

etc. Incorporate any ideas and suggestions you received from your teammates in the team project.

• Column 5: Describe what you expect to achieve after the development activity. What would be the outcome?

• Column 6: What is your desired timeline to conduct the development activity and improve the skills?

• Column 7: Add additional comment such as final results, completion date, etc.

o Note: Since this is a short course you may not be able to implement and complete the activities you have chosen and listed in your Leadership Development Plan.

o Ensure to provide the date of when you completed the activity, even if after the course is finished. As you know, your leadership development is ongoing and does not stop when you complete this course.

o You may find this form/plan and process a helpful tool to keep on your development journey even after this course!!

Assignment# 3 – Leadership Development Plan

Complete the leadership development plan showing the two or three areas you selected to develop, and the activities chosen to improve them.

Your completed leadership development plan worksheet is due during Module 8 and worth 170 possible points.

References

At the end of your plan, add the following: • Add 5 references

- These are the research sources you used to complete your plan and can include development activity sources, leadership skill information, etc.

• Use the APA documentation style - See Student Resources

Leadership Map Exercise

Leadership Development Plan Worksheet

Current job: Name:

Date:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Area of Development

(Competencies, skill, etc.)

Required Level

Current Proficiency

Level or Gap(s)

Development Activity

(What will I do to acquire the

skill)

Expected Outcomes

Estimated Completion

Date

Results/ Comments/ Completion

Date

Leadership Map Exercise

Leadership Map Exercise

Example: Leadership Development Plan Worksheet Current job: Manager of Customer Service Name: Susie Sample

Date: July 2013

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Area of Development

(Competencies, skill, etc.)

Required

Level

Current

Proficiency Level or Gap(s)

Development

Activity (What will I do to acquire the

skill)

Expected Outcomes

Estimated Completion

Date

Results/

Comments/ Completion

Date

Learn to listen more effectively to teammates and customers.

Allow people to finish their thoughts. Repeat what people say and be able to paraphrase the meaning/ gist of what they are saying so they indicate I have

I cut people off and do not allow them to finish their sentences. I am not accurate when I paraphrase what others say.

1. Find and read

two books, articles or other resources such as videos on listening skills.

2. Spend time with Fran Martin who is a great listener and observe her. Also, ask her for listening tips.

3. Ask my peer coach to observe me and

Be able to listen more than I talk and accurately describe another person’s meaning.

Within a week review resources on listening. Meet with Fran next week Get together with my coach this week and share my plan. Inform my team next week and practice during

This will be an ongoing development activity. I hope to be more attentive and accurate listener by the end of this year.

Leadership Map Exercise

understood and heard them correctly.

give me feedback on my listening skills.

4. Inform my team what I am working on and to share any observations and feedback with me at any time.

5. Practice listening and paraphrasing during team meetings.

next week’s meeting. Get team feedback.