Leadership development plan

BUSM 4194 – Leading for Change Leadership Development Report

Crystal Boey Gui Xuan (S3396123)

[BUSM 4194 – LEADING FOR CHANGE] 2

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary ---------------------------------------------------Page 3

2. Introduction -------------------------------------------------------------Page 4

3. Focus Areas Based on Industry--------------------------------------Page 4 - 5

3.1 Self-Management

3.2 Leading Others

3.3 Innovations

4. Assessments tools ------------------------------------------------------Page 5 - 8

4.1 Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

4.2 Leadership Competency Assessment

4.3 Strength and Weakness

5. Other Issues -------------------------------------------------------------Page 9

6. Leadership Development Plan----------------------------------------Page 9 - 13

6.1 Improving Leading Others Through Communication

6.2 Improving Innovations Through Creativity

6.3 Maintaining Self-Management

6.4 Charismatic Leadership

6.5 Timeframe & Timeline

7. Review on Leadership Development Plan ---------------------------Page 13

8. Follow Up Plan ----------------------------------------------------------Page 14

9. Plan Evaluation Approach & Conclusion ----------------------------Page 14

10. Reference -----------------------------------------------------------------Page 15 - 16

11. Appendix ------------------------------------------------------------------Page 17 - 20

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1. Executive Summary

The purpose of this report is to create a leadership development plan, my foci would

be placed on self-management, leading others and innovation. These are the 3 skills

that I will be developing for my career in the future. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

(MBTI) was used to analyze my personality and current leadership style. The Central

Michigan University (CMU) leadership competency model was used to assess my

current strengths and weaknesses as a leader. Based on the assessments, my key

strength and weakness are self-management and leading others respectively. After

which, a leadership development plan was written on action steps that should be taken

to reach my goals within a timeframe. Mr Krishnan, had evaluated my leadership plan

and gave some valuable feedbacks which will be incorporated into my plan as well.

Finally, my leadership skills will be re-assessed 5 years later using the same

assessment tool.

[BUSM 4194 – LEADING FOR CHANGE] 4

2. Introduction

Leadership developments are vital for organizations and personal developments. This

report can help me to recognize how self-improvement and self-assessment in the

areas of leadership and change management could impact on my personal

development. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Central Michigan

University (CMU) leadership model will be used to evaluate my strength and

weakness.

I see myself working in the F&B industry in 3 years time. I would first pursue another

diploma in patisserie, a 1.5 years course after graduation. And set up my own café

with my business partners, where I will be focusing on the operations. In order to be

successful, I will need to develop related leadership skills.

3. Focus Area based on Industry

I would focus particularly on self-management, leading others and innovation. I

believed that self-management is the most important aspect out of the 5 dimensions

that everyone should develop on. If one is unable to manage themselves, how can one

manage others and show leadership qualities.

3.1 Self-Management

Based on my job scope, time management is very important. Being organized and

using time efficiently is crucial, as time is money. Being a patisserie, preparations

must be done before opening and peak period to ensure steady supply of dishes.

Subsequently, I have to manage stress, when being push to develop new recipes

within a limited time frame and when business is not going well as expected.

3.2 Leading Others

Being in charge of the operation, I have to lead my team. Employees are the most

important element in any business. Thus, I must be able to communicate well with my

employees, understand their needs, motivate employees to work hard for success and

develop the potential in all my employees.

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3.3 Innovations

In order to gain competitive advantage in the F&B industry, being innovative is

crucial. Customers like unique, new and fun ideas, being creative is essential for

generating ideas for developing new recipes, flavors and promotions. Moreover,

consumers taste and preferences are constantly changing, I need to cope with changes

and predict the next popular trend.

Being in this position, I feel that these are the 3 dimensions that I should possess.

In contrast, social responsibility is not so crucial, other than integrity and being

ethical, social knowledge and civic responsibility will not make much of a difference

to the business. Lastly, task management, my business partners will deal with the

management side of the business.

4. Assessments Tools

4.1 Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

Source: Extracted from Personality Type, My Personality (2007).

MBTI is a questionnaire used to determine a person’s personality (Myers & Briggs

Foundation 2003), the results I obtained were ‘ISTJ’. Each element is described in

Appendix A and an overview of ISTJ can be seen in Appendix B.

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This report suggests that I would prefer private conversations with close friends than

groups, often quiet but serious in my work. Sensation people are perfectionists, they

are detailed and précised. Uses reasoning skills to test options of all cause and effects

(Killen & Williams 2009). Being judgmental, I like to be organized and follow a

standard procedure (Killen & Williams 2009). Some of the leadership traits that I

possess are reliable, stable, tradition, responsible, realistic and diligent.

Subsequently, it suggested that I am adopting the task-centred leadership approached

as I focus more on task than on emotions (University of Saskatchewan n.d.), where

my main focus is about getting the work done effectively and efficiently (Fleishman

1953). This is in line with my personality, as I like my work to be done fast and quick.

In addition, according to Blake and Mouton ‘s Leadership Grid, I am using the

authority-compliance management style, due to the fact that I focus more on results

(Miller et al. 2012).

Lastly, ‘S’ (sensing) and ‘T’ (thinking), the report proposes that I could adopt the

servant-leadership, to set up structure, rule and regulation as a service (Lewis, Spears

& Lafferty 2010). Hence, everyone will follow the same rules and be treated equally.

Once the structure is set and everyone is clear about it, it enables others to get job

done more efficiently. While, ‘J’ (judging) servant leader served their followers

through ‘pushing’ their capabilities, helping them organize and develop themselves to

achieve goals (Lewis, Spears & Lafferty 2010).

4.2 Leadership Competency Assessment

The second assessment tool, Leadership Competency Assessment, is used to identify

my strength and weakness as a leader (CMU 2004). My report can be seen in

Appendix C.

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The score range from 1 to 6, 6 being the highest. I had obtained a mean score of 4.7

for self-management, 4.03 for leading others, and 4.09 on innovation. This assessment

tool can tell me exactly which competency that I should improve or maintain.

5.4 5 5

4.6

3.5

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Work Habits Work Attitudes Stress Management Self Insight Learning

Self Management, Score: 4.70

2.4

4.4 4.6

3.5

4.83

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Communicating Interpersonal Awareness

Motivating Others

Developing Others

Influenceing

Leading Others, Score: 4.03

4 4.2 4.75

3.25

4.25

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Creativity Enterprising Integrating Perspectives

Forecasting Managing Change

Innovation, Score: 4.09

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4.3 Strength and Weakness

Both models appropriately address my strength and weakness. My strengths would be

self-management. I have a score of 5.4 on work habit, and based on MBTI (Appendix

D), being organized denotes time management, setting goals as goal orientation,

completing work without supervision as self-reliance and so on (University of

Saskatchewan n.d.). I can say that I am really good in time management. I would

organize and plan my schedule beforehand. I grew up independently, thus, having to

do everything on my own, I feel that there is a need for everything to be in schedule.

Being persistent would be my second strength, when faced with difficulties, I will

insist to find a solution. Lastly, I am able to manage stress well, this might be due to

my personality as a cheerful person, I believe that everything will work out to be fine

eventually.

According to Miller et al. (2012), a charismatic leader needs to have excellent verbal

communication skills that are able to portray the image of credible, innovative and

trustworthy. In addition, having the ability to lead requires you to have interpersonal

awareness, ability to communicate, influence, motivate and develop others (Bapat et

al., n.d.).

However, a 95% score on introvert and 2.4 on communication denotes that I am

severely lacking in charisma and leading skills. I admit that I am relatively poor in

communication. I find it hard to strike and sustain a conversation with others and I get

nervous easily when facing someone new. When I am young, I used to be very

talkative, the teachers would always complaint to my parents. Being in fear of canings

and scolding, I became quiet as I grew older.

Lastly, being high on sensing and judging, ISTJ do not like changes. Truly, I would

prefer to follow standard procedures than to innovate, my creative juice can only be

produce if I am interested in that subject. In this case, baking is my passion and I will

be doing what I like, however, I would still like to improve on my creativity skills

(score: 4)

Therefore, my key strength and weakness are self-management (time management)

and leading others (communication) respectively.

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5. Other Issues

Being a young entrepreneur, many other issues will be faced. My employees might

even be older and have more experiences than me. My credibility and ability to lead

will be doubt by many. In addition, even though now more women are seen working

in the society, they are seldom in a leadership position (Haslam & Ryan 2008). In the

past, women are only responsible for their home. Being a woman, I am more likely to

be criticized for failure when holding a leadership position.

6. Leadership Development Plan

6.1 Improving Leading Others through Communication

First I would need to improve on my communication skills. This will be an ongoing

process that I will start practicing, right from school and throughout my life. I aim to

be-friend with a stranger per week from school. I also find that online forum is a great

place to make new friends who shares the same interest, such as the “cozy cot” and

“flower pot”. Both forums are women sites, so it is safe for me to make friends there.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Communicating Creativity Work Habits

Leadership Development Goals Scores based on Leadership Competency Assessment

Goals

current

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The second step is to involve myself in different activities where I can expand my

social capital and learn how to communicate with others. I spend most of my life

staying indoors. Recently, I joined a health fitness club where I will visit once a week,

and made some new friends. Other than the wellness club, I intend to join other

activities such as yoga and traveling.

Lastly, I would sign up a communication workshop by STTS. They specialized in

communication skills training, where there will be group work and discussions that

involves role-playing, interactions and participation (STTS 2013).

6.2 Improving Innovations through creativity

Instead of following a standard procedure, I should find out alternatives ways to get

job done. By doing so, implies that I have to take risk and improve my creative

problem solving skills. Problem solving skills can be developed through stimulations.

I can start practicing this skill in school through group projects. Subsequently, there

are many techniques that can be found online which I could learn on my own, such as

‘Direct Attention Thinking Tools’ (DATT) developed by Edward de Bono, to sharpen

my perception and improve my critical thinking skills through the uses of 10 different

strategies (The SIM Group 2007).

While taking my diploma in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, I had attended creativity classes

and learned about the ‘Six Thinking Hats’. I will recover my notes and refresh my

memory. Alternatively, I could attend creative thinking skills workshops offered in

Singapore.

6.3 Maintaining Self-Management Skills

Currently, I am using a schedule book to write down my appointments and important

dates. However, I do not refer to them everyday, thus I have to be more diligent in

updating and referring to my book to keep this sustainable.

While developing my creative problem solving and communication skills, I am also

developing my learning skills at the same time.

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6.4 Charismatic Leadership

This will be my biggest challenge, to become less tasks-centred, and move myself up

the Blake and Mouton’s Leadership Grid from ‘Authority-Compliance’ to ‘Team

Management’, I need to develop myself into a charismatic leader.

A charismatic leader is one who has strong interpersonal relationship skills that is able

to influence followers to make meaningful contributions towards the same goal

through referent power and expert power (Halpert 1990). At the same time, it can help

to motivate and develop others.

This can develop my leading skills to a whole new level and from this I can move

further to become a transformational leader (new goals 5 years later). In order to do

so, my communication skills must be improved. Followed by, changing my

personality, from quiet to outgoing, confidence, assertive and being positive. This will

truly depend on my determination, and I would take up toastmaster class as well.

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6.4 Time Frame & Time Line

Competency Goals Action Steps Timeframe

Communication  To improve my communication

skills to a whole new

level

 Double the score of my assessment

 Start practicing in school

 Be-friend with a stranger per week

 Getting involve in more social

activities

 Participate in a communication skill

workshop

4 years

However, will

still practice it

as a ongoing

process

Creativity  Improve my creative problem solving

skills

 To innovate instead of following a

standard procedure

 Increase innovation score as a whole

 Start practicing in school through

projects

 Search for more techniques that can

stimulate my mind

 Recover what I had learned in Poly

 Sign up creative thinking classes

3 Years

However, will

still practice it

as a ongoing

process

Work Habits  To uphold and improve my self-

management skills

 Diligently updating and referring to my

schedule

1 Year

However, will

still practice it

as a ongoing

process

Charismatic

Leadership  To be a charismatic

leader

 To be less task- centred

 To change my leadership style to

‘Team Management’

 Improve my communication

skills

 Determinations to open up

 Sign up toastmaster class

5 years

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Time Line:

7. Reviews on Leadership Development Plan

Mr. Krishnan (Appendix E) evaluated my leadership development plan. He doubts my

ability to attain my charismatic goals, he mention that charisma is not something that

everyone is born with, it is not easy to develop based on my personality. He also

suggests that 4 years for communication skills is too long, because my

communication skills have to be fully developed before I move to work on my

charisma.

Next, he recommended me to use an online time management calendar, Google

Calendar. Since phones are now parts of people’s life, it will be more effective and

efficient when I can access it anytime.

Subsequently, he suggest that I could take up a part-time job related to baking, since I

have some free time after graduation, to take this as an opportunity to learn from

experienced bakers and how they operate a café.

Lastly, he suggests that I can look for a mentor from the relevant industry, where he

has more experience and knowledge to guide and support me when I have problems.

End of 2013

2014 to 2015

2015 to 2016

2016 to 2017

2017 to 2018

2018 to 2019

Graduate from RMIT University

Enrol in Le Cordon Bleu in June (1.5yrs)

Graduate from Le Cordon Bleu in December

Business research planning (6 Months or more)

Set up my cafe

Re-evaluation of leadership skills

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8. Follow Up Plans

I agree to Mr. Krishnan that it will be challenging for me to develop my charisma. It

would take a lot of effort and determination. Thus, It may take longer than 5 years.

Therefore, I would need to revise the time frame to 6 years for my charismatic goal

and reduce my communication skills from 4 to 3 years.

Secondly, I will start using Google Calendar. I find it very useful, as you can see from

Appendix F, it is able to remind me of an event via email, pop-ups and sms that a

schedule book is not able to. Moreover, my phone is around me all the time.

Lastly, I would like to take up his suggestion of having a part-time job in the related

field. At the same time, I could build up a personal relationship with a mentor that is

able to assist me in the future.

The action plan above will be re-incorporated in my LDP.

9. Plan Evaluation Approach & Conclusion

In 5 years time, I will re-assess my leadership skills using the same assessment tools. I

will compare both results and see if there are any improvements. Next I will evaluate

based on how I speak, the number of friends I had and the way my employees

converse with me. I will also engage my close friends for feedbacks on my

communication skills. In addition, I can observe how my words can influence my

employees through their reactions. Subsequently, to see if I had diligently jogs down

my schedules in Google Calendar. Lastly, by observing how I manage different

situations through creative problem solving.

In conclusion, I hope that I can achieve all the goals I have set in my LDP. I

understand that learning is continuous process and I will continue to learn other skills.

Lastly, I look forward to my dreams of setting up my own café.

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