Leadership Development Program - Research Paper Example

Introduction In my personal wish at the start of this module, my short term goal was to make sure that I pass all the tests for this semester and fully understand and grasp the concept for the order. I have been able to meet some of the goals though with time, the needs are changing and I am making sure that I can fit in any organization in the future. I have a diverse background of rich and highly specified skills and a set of knowledge that can be used to improve the strategic development of any company. This audit specifically aims to facilitate better knowledge dissemination for the benefit of this organization. It will be used to showcase my conformance to the present styles in leadership and the improvements that I am supposed to make so as to make managerial decisions and for the developmental purposes of the management. Research Methodological skills: has an ability to understand and apply the relevant methodologies that are necessary in a research field. This is evident from the various researches done and proposals written in the past from such research. This can be developed further through taking various courses. Analytical skills: suitable ability in numerical skills, data collection techniques, interpretation of data and manipulation of data which has been learnt in various classes and also directly applied in schools and classes. This can also be developed through engagement in more hands on practices as well as taking extra classes on the same (Rehnquist, 1995). Record- keeping: capacity to maintain correct and understandable record in a clear, concise and logical manner. This skill is self descriptive from how various works have presented in the past and requires only polishing up for perfection. Technical related skills: personally aware of the skills that are required in technical research and in accordance with the discipline at hand. Communication Verbal; can coherently communicate to various classes of people without getting personal and disseminating the required information in a clear and also a concise manner. Official: can be able to officially communicate with the relevant personnel as required and when required without alteration of content and to an extent that the required message gets to the designated recipient in the right manner. Listening: can be able to handle communication from various people in the right manner by according them the right time to express their points and also use this information correctly to interpret their requirements. Administrative Time management: very efficient and capable of planning and scheduling activities and also in meeting deadlines. Can be able to inform other people such as subordinates on the proper time management procedures and reprimand those affected by the vice of time wastage. Project management: capable of structuring, planning and supervising implementation of projects of various sizes. This can be show cased by earlier project management portfolios available. This can be further developed by taking further practice and project management lessons. Organization: ability to convene meetings and conferences in a due and timely manner and with making sure that all the requirements are met and adhered to prior to the events. IT: ability to handle IT software such as word processors, statistics software, spreadsheet software and other key managerial software. Additional ability to learn of the upcoming software with ease due to key interest in the field Business awareness: ability to perform business functions such as budgeting of finances, raising funds and negotiating contracts. This however needs further polishing to stay in line with the current states of competition (Belzer, 1991). Interpersonal skills Teamwork: ability to collaborate with the fellow workmates towards a common goal. This is evident from the current positions in various developmental teams Negotiation: ability to negotiate contracts and also take part in application for grants. This again is a part that requires a lot of polishing and more review of requisite information necessary for improvement. Personal skills Perseverance: can work under pressure and with difficulties and hard conditions. Resilient: ability to maintain commitment towards a certain task or set of tasks despite imminent uncertainties. Adaptability: ability to integrate and work effectively in a new environment Self motivation: ability to follow a certain course of action to completion from the first step to the last and being able to overcome any hindrances as they may arise Learning: quick to learn and get to grasp new ideas and concepts in a very swift manner. Personal development Development in the career All projects deserve to be properly planned and properly managed in order to be able to succeed. This is deemed to include a proper planning of one’s life as a project. In such planning one will be able to be part of the strategic progress of the organization one is involved with. “Continuing professional development” is a means of making sure that one achieves the right abilities to do certain jobs and also maintain one’s expertise in the job. This aspect involves all what is essential in retaining all the aspects of the employment. This area is a mode in which one can be able to structure his career through an analogy of the technical or the professional issues and the non technical bits. The non technical aspects bring along management skills, interpersonal skills and relationships with the clients. They also involve other skills such as research, reading, mentorship, coaching and more which are not viewed as part of the normal day to day training. Most learning should in fact be based on experience rather than qualifications. Learning styles in the personal development field In choosing the learning style that one should adopt, it is important that one chooses a style that is natural. This is bound to make the learning process more comfortable and also fun. An example of an applicable learning style is the “honey and Mumford cycle” as depicted below. In this style, one does not have to start from a particular pint though completing the cycle makes a great difference. The use of a personal development, one can be able to plan what to do, schedule the plans accordingly, set a time lines for the various activities, track the progress and be possible to review the personal growth. In this manner it is possible to keep track of the personal growth attributes. Below is a personal development plan that corresponds to the erstwhile discussed skills audit. Personal development plan Current state Strengths The outlined points reflect my personal strengths Apt communication with other people Positive state of mind and optimism Weaknesses The following are my weaknesses: - Tendency to be stuck in a zone of comfort thus lacking confidence in apprehension Fast temper Common feedbacks On most occasions, the various feedbacks that I receive from other people are; - You plan too much than you can achieve at a certain time You should be more assertive Performance indicators These are the indicators that I personally notice; - When the workload is quite heavy, I tend to be overwhelmed with stress Conclusion Considering the above observations, it is important that I should lay much focus on the following areas: - Develop more courage and confidence in whatever I do Learn to be more aggressive Have a controlled temper Focus on the job with increased ease Desired state The desired state will be a profile of the things that I want to achieve over a certain period of time as well as the things that I want to improve I need to be able to talk and act in a confident manner despite whichever situation I am in or whoever that I am talking to. In this case, I need not to be afraid in voicing out my ideas. I too want to have a will to engage in trying out various ventures hence taking more risks. In this manner I have the need to keep a closer look for new chances as opposed to waiting for alternatives to manifest themselves. I will have been able to of influence to critical decision making panels due to the additional confidence I will be exuding. I also require additional ability to control whatever situation I am in. The ability to put more effort towards my recommendations, my ideas and my decisions such that they are accepted by others. Ability to be proactively leading in as many situations as I can. In case of teamwork, I should also be part of the people initially airing out their recommendations and learn not to accept all what I am told. Also, I need the ability to remain firm in my decisions and not to be easily influenced by other people. Ability to assess situations before engaging against them in a calm manner. Soliciting for positive parts of a given situation will still be maximizing the any opportunities which comes on my way. In order to maintain the focus of finding solutions but not either losing or shifting the focus (Kouzes & Posner, 1995). Reasons for the desire The following assertions are the reasons as to why I feel that I should achieve the given objectives and what the objectives add to my professional and personal attributes In being confident, I will be able to approach new challenges and opportunities personally. I will also be able to be respected by others as they will be additionally seeing my worth. I will also dare to try out new opportunities and be independent in m y endeavours. This will be a window for more opportunities for a successful and interesting future life. I therefore have been able to confidently show case my true self. With increased assertiveness, I will not be following the will and decisions of other people blindly. In this case, I will be able to make my own choices and additionally live on my own terms. I will also be able to command respect from others. In this state, I will be fully engage in any contributions that I need to make and also be fully participative. This will be a chance to increase my self confidence and also an increase to my self esteem. On having the ability to control my fast temper, I will be able to control what I want to say and thus avoid future regrets. In this manner I will not be consistently hurting those who matter to me. Additionally, I will not be wasting the energy that I waste in venting out anger and thus be able to maturely use that strength for something constructive (Owens, 1991). Short term goals The list that follows entails the short- term goals that I intend make an achievement. Attending some anger management classes to be able to control myself At least be making a recommendation to my seniors a month and strictly following their implementations Reading more literature on self confidence Long term goals Here are the “long -term goals” that I intend to realize an achievevement. Ability to command confidence when I want despite the situation that I am in and not to be negatively affected by the setbacks that I receive Make it a habit to try and take the lead in most of the situations that I am in and also be assertive. At the same time, I should be able to keep a balance in my situations and avoid extremes. Keep calm in all situations and avoid losing temper no natter how grave the situation might be Achieving the desired state Things to be improved In achieving the state that I wish to get to, the following are the things that I need to get, Develop my confidence using such techniques as NLP Increased practice of being assertive through suggestion of ideas, making of decisions in company meetings and leading in projects Meditating to try to keep calm Resources In order to achieve my targets, I need to attend management classes and also invest in more literature. Timeline Area 1 Hours per week: one hour per week to develop confidence. From 9 to 10pm. This will be on Mondays and Wednesdays in reading literature One hour per week from 7 to 8 a.m. to practice NLP in developing confidence Area 2 Dedicate one hour every Tuesdays and Thursdays to read books on communication Attend company meetings on Fridays and practice being more assertive Area 3 Four hours per week on anger management through meditation and anger management classes. Conclusion If the above personal development plan is adhered to in line with the previously discussed modes of improving personal and professional skills, then it will be possible to be able to steer an organization towards the achievement of the preset objectives through the skills possessed. This article was a self test of the managerial skills in both professional and personal realms and has been used as an indicator of the personal and professional skills which are needed in the development of a good manager who can effectively lead the organization in development of the desired strategic objectives. References Belzer, E. J. (1991). 12 ways to better team building. In Phi Theta Kappa, Leadership Development Program (pp. 6.3-6.5). Jackson, MS: Phi Theta Kappa. Buzzell, R. and Gale, B. (1987) The PIMS Principles: Linking Strategy to Performance, New York: Free Press. DePree, M. (1992). Leadership Jazz. New York: Dell Publishing. Handy, C. (1989) The Age of Unreason, London: Hutchinson. Juran, J, (1992) Juran on Quality, New York: Free Press. Moncrieff, J. “Is strategy making a difference?” Long Range Planning Review, 32(22):73–276. Pascale, R. (1990) Managing on the Edge, New York: Simon and Schuster. Rehnquist, W. H. (1995). Time: It’s yours to use or abuse. In Phi Theta Kappa, Leadership Development Program (pp. 5.5-5.8). Jackson, MS: Phi Theta Kappa. Read More