UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS

Document Type:Thesis

Subject Area:English

Document 1

This paper aims at describing a personal development plan and the skills I need to develop to work effectively with others and understand others. In the process of personal development, I need to establish assertiveness/ conflict resolution, time management, focus and attention, and public speaking. Journal entry 1: Assertiveness/conflict resolution What is the core skill to develop? I need to develop assertiveness and conflict resolution skills. Assertiveness refers to the ability to express positive and negative ideas openly, honestly, and directly. Conflict resolution, on the other hand, entails the ability to deal with conflicts and enhance the effectiveness of the conflicting parties. According to a theory of conflict resolution, effective conflict resolution leads to personal and professional growth (Mack 2018). Further, Bishop (2013) suggests that assertiveness in an organization provides leaders with more power and an advantageous edge.

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It enables the involved parties to negotiate a solution in a way that satisfies everyone. I, therefore, need to develop assertiveness to facilitate effective conflict resolutions in the future. As a result, I will be able to establish mutual respect with others, enhance self-esteem, and express negative positive and negative thought openly, honestly and directly without hurting others. There are contradictions in that I am not honest as my peers tell me. Solving conflicts based on my opinions cannot yield reasonable solutions, but instead, biased resolutions. How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument) Assertiveness and conflict resolution in future will enable me to communicate confidently at school, home, and in social settings. Being assertive will allow me to handle delicate solutions and also earn me other people’s respect.

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Also, the skill will foster my self-esteem. Why is this core skill important? Why did I select this skill to reflect on? (use relevant theories and concepts to support your answer) Time-management is vital in facilitating the effective and efficient running of activities. The set goals are achieved promptly and efficient leading to achievement of the goals. Effective time management also leads to enhanced productivity and efficiency of activities. When time is utilized well, more activities are accomplished leading to increased productivity. Time management also leads to an excellent professional reputation and enhanced growth opportunities. I also believe that I am a poor time manager because I usually finish my assignments in the last minute. I also have little time for revisions which make me unprepared during exams.

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Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is there a match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not? With reference to the analysis above, there is a match between what the peers and the tutor say about my time management skills and what I believe. I am a poor time manager due to a lack of priorities. I do not know how to prioritize my activities. The skills entail being alert and oriented towards a given task aimed at accomplishing a given goal. Attention enables a person to prioritize and filter all the information received within a given time. Focus and attention help in what others say and choosing what is best for self-growth and development.

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Focus and attention help in focusing on current activities, learning, and understanding verbal and non-verbal communication. Focus and attention also ensure that we are less distracted and gain the best out of every action we focus on. My classmates also tell me that I doze off during English lessons and that I rarely respond to the tutor’s questions in class. My teacher says that I can achieve the best when I remain focused and attentive in class. I believe that I concentrate in class only that I focus on distractions more than on what is being taught. Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is there a match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not? The analysis above shows that I lack focus and attention skills: the feedback from my peers and the tutor match with what I see myself in regards to focus and attention.

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I am usually overwhelmed by little thing such as classmate’s haircut. Public speaking aims at informing the audience by appealing to their emotions, actions, and attitudes persuasively. Public speaking aims at persuading the credibility of the speaker (ethos), appealing to the logos and eliciting an emotional appeal which makes the audience to believe in the speaker. In effective public speaking, the speaker must possess authority and knowledge about the topic. Also, to ensure adequate reception and understanding of the issue, the speaker must address it in a clear, persuasive and logical manner. The speaker must also capture the attention of the audience by establishing an emotional connection with them. Reflect on your current competence regarding this skill. How did you assess your competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers and your tutor, plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to answer this question) After assessing the feedback from my parents and classmates, I can firmly say that I am an effective public speaker.

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Recently, I presented a welcome speech during a family gathering of nearly 150 people, and my parents commended me of being confident and eloquent during the presentation. I also often engage in class presentation particularly in presenting group work. My peers believe that I possess effective public speaking skills. The more I engage in public speaking, the more I get comfortable around other people. Thus, delivering a public message persuasive will increase my confidence and earn me the trust of my audience. Summary and action plan After conducting the reflective assessment, I have unveiled strengths and several weaknesses. I have realized that I am an effective public speaker. I have the confidence and skills needed to conduct a public address without compromising the needs of my audience.

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This weakness can lead to ruined interpersonal relationships and incomplete projects. Lack of focus and attention on other people’s ideas can lead to misunderstanding and conflicts. Also, inattentiveness can make me miss critical details about a given project which can lead to aborted or faulty projects. Along with failed projects, lack of focus and attention skills can subject me to stagnation in career growth and life. Focus and attention help a person to have a clear vision and understanding about a given idea. I plan to build a life plan with clearly set personal and academic goals which will ensure that I stay focused on each goal in school and outside of school. Concerning assertiveness and conflict resolution, I need to change my attitude and develop a perspective-taking approach from my life.

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