Globalisation of Logistics & SCM 2 - Coursework Example

Reflective Account Understanding personal performance There are great differences between people skills, learning, emotional intelligence, and performance. Learning involves underlying theories, finding background information on various job experiences and getting facts on diverse issues. Jasper (2003) defined learning as a the process of acquiring new, reinforcing and modifying existing knowledge, skills, values, preferences, or behaviors that could engross synthesizing various types of information. Performance on the other hand involves learning and putting the knowledge, personal qualities, experience, and skills into practice. Jasper (2003) defined performance as the process of accomplishing given tasks that are measured against stipulated standards of completeness, accuracy, speed, and cost. Performance is considered to be fulfillment of various obligations in ways that release performers from all the liabilities under business contracts. In my journey of development, learning has played a major role in what I am today as I have been able to acquire knowledge in school and the society hence ensuring better performance in my general activities. Covey (2004) observed that anything human beings do depend partly or wholly on what they learnt either in educational institutions or the society and partly how they put the learning in their actions. People skills are the capabilities of individuals to understand themselves and ability to moderate their responses. Learning people skills has enabled me to empathize accurately, to talk effectively, and to build relationships of respect, trust and very productive interactions in my journey of development. Redmond (2004) noted that good people skills are considered as an asset in business and our daily lives as they enable us to relate and communicate to other individuals on both professional and personal levels hence the ability solve problems effectively and work together to achieve common goals and objectives. Emotional intelligence is the ability of recognizing our emotions and other individual’s feelings and discriminating between various sensations and labeling them appropriately hence enabling individuals to apply that information in thinking and changing behaviors (Redmond, 2004). Emotional intelligence has enabled me to interact with individuals of different characters effectively as I have been able to identify, understand, use, and manage sensations in positive ways in order to communicate efficiently, relieve stress, overcome challenges, defuse conflicts, and to empathize with other society members. I am pragmatist in nature and therefore learn things by trying out to confirm if they work. My pragmatist nature has taught me many significant lessons in life, as I strive to ensure that I practice what is taught in class and other social institutions such as religious places, work environment and the general society so long as I feel that it is morally right and would lead to better performance. Presenting the PDP was a good experience as I was able to internalize important factors about people skills, such as establishing healthy rapports, making connections, developing genuine interests in individuals, the art of skilful listening, and importance of team work among others that enable individuals to better their performance at their work places. The feedback from individuals was important as it helped me to develop the weak areas of my PDP and also add more information that was contributed by the other classmates. The PDP will help me in my long term career goals by building healthy relationships with my business partners and employees hence working towards achieving the common goals of the organizations and the PDP will also help me to be knowledgeable about networking skills that promote business awareness hence attracting more loyal customers in my business. Models of reflection Gibb’s (1988) reflective cycles Forde (2006) noted that Gibb’s reflective cycles is among the famous models for reflection that comprises six stages: description, feeling, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and the action plan. Description I am doing a part time job as a high school teacher in one of the schools in the United States, where I spend most of my time during the holidays. I assist the class tutors to teach Mathematics hence I have to be conversant with the lesson plans for all the grades in order to be efficient. One time I was called upon to teach the grade 8 students how to multiply big values since their teacher was unwell and hence he had to sit at the back of the class and listen. I got so nervous that day that I was unable to teach the students. I started trembling in front of the class and could hardly move a step. The students started laughing and the teacher was unsympathetic too, instead, he told the students to go for a break and as she started reprimanding at me. After the confrontation, I went home and avoided conversations with anybody from the school. Feelings I felt so embarrassed, miserable and depressed about the ordeal that I almost quit teaching. I could not believe that I was unable to speak to the students and was hurt that they laughed and jeered at me when I was speechless. The teacher also stressed me because he reprimanded me, instead of asking what had happened and be a little encouraging. I realized that I had not prepared myself well for the lesson and hence it was bound to happen. Jasper (2003) made me feel normal as he stated in his writings that it is natural to feel nervous when making public speeches and when speaking to a large group of individuals. Evaluation I went home immediately after the ordeal without asking for advice from any of the other teachers. I realized that it would have been better speaking to other teachers about their experiences in order to gain more courage to move on past what happened. After sharing with other teachers, I learnt that it is very normal to be nervous when teaching large numbers of students and it could happen to anybody. The encouragement from the teachers made me feel positive and willing to continue helping the students. Analysis The incident was worsened by the students that laughed at my confusion and the teacher that scolded me when I was hurting. I should have gained courage the stop the teacher from reprimanding me because I was there to help her because she not feeling well. Forde (2006) noted that it is preferable to deal with situations immediately. I never spoke to the students and that teacher again after the incident hence not solving the issue at hand. The teacher embarrassed me in front of the whole class making me feel inferior. I should have confronted the teacher and talked to students to avoid problems in the future. Conclusion I know I would have done things differently and avoided being embarrassed and hurt. I should have gained the courage to confront the teacher and the students immediately after the ordeal to voice my opinions. I should have laughed along with the students and hence building a rapport to gain their confidence and hence teaching successfully. Nevertheless, the occurrence made me understand the significance of building relationships with teachers and students a tool that Jasper (2003) stated that it is fundamental in successful institutions and organizations. If I had explained my frustrations to the teacher in advance, she would have dealt with my situation differently. Action plan In the future, I will strive to build up good relationships with colleagues and friends in order to learn their character and let them be aware of my strengths and weaknesses to avoid such embarrassing moments. I will ensure that I make lesson plans for teaching all the units so that I am always prepared to teach during my part-time activity. The embarrassing experience made me learn that I need to do more training on my presentation skills at the University so that I can gain confidence as I communicate to the students and other people in society. Lessons learnt Covey’s 7 habits Covey displays the 7 habits of highly effective people that have enabled me to attain various goals in life through my interaction with other individuals. Covey (20040 stated that the first three habits are independent, the next 3 interdependence and the last habit is concerned with continuous improvement in interpersonal and personal spheres of influences. Independence Be proactive The decisions and principles that individuals align with determine their effectiveness in life. I have realized that, what determines your character is your action towards others and the people you surround yourself in the environment. Individuals therefore have to be responsible for their actions and their consequences. Begin with the end in mind Covey (2004) noted that individuals should think about when, where, who, why, and what they want in their future, in order to be aware of what will make the reality. I need to create a mission statement after clarifying and discovering significant life goals and character values that will help me in my journey of development. Put first things first I need to prioritize and plan my activities according to their significance rather than their urgency. This will help me toward achievement of my desired goals and objectives in life. Interdependence These habits will enable me to work with others effectively to achieve common goals and objectives. Think win-win Respecting and valuing other people’s opinions in business relationships will enable me to get better performances in activities, since when they benefit, I also gain hence achieving my goals in life. Seek first to understand, then to be understood Listening to other people’s opinions will enable them to listen to me too hence creating an atmosphere of respect, caring and problem solving hence performing better in our activities. Synergize Combining the strengths of various individuals through positive teamwork will enable me to achieve the goals and objectives that I could have barely done alone. Self renewal is the last habit that is related to self rejuvenation Sharpen the saw I need to balance and renew my resources, health and energy in order to build a sustainable, effective, and long-term lifestyle. Prayers, reading encouraging books and giving service to the society will enable me to be physically and spiritually renewed. References Covey, S. R. (2004). The seven habits of highly effective people: restoring the character ethic. Melbourne, Business Library. Forde, C. (2006). Professional development, reflection and enquiry. London, Paul Chapman Pub. Jasper, M. (2003). Beginning reflective practice. Cheltenham, Nelson Thornes. Redmond, B. (2004). Reflection in action: developing reflective practice in Health and Social Services. Aldershot u.a, Ashgate. Read More