K1 Identification and appraisal of work-based skills, competencies and values and the impact that they have on behaviours

Assignment Brief

UGB 260 Personal & Professional Development Module

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

• K1 Identification and appraisal of work-based skills, competencies and values and the impact that they have on behaviours
• K2 Investigation of conceptual underpinnings of behaviour in a business context

Skills

• S1 The ability to appraise and evaluate individual personal and professional qualities in a business environment
• S2 Application of concepts of self-reflection to explain personal and professional behaviour and effectiveness

Assessment Hand out:

Student Assignment Submission:

The assessment is a critical reflective essay which must be supported by evidence of module related activities undertaken throughout the year, covering all learning outcomes. The evidence will include a record of your reflections on your experiences and achievements during the module, including skill and attribute diagnostics, workshop and extra‐curricular activities.

Reflective Essay

You must write and submit a reflective essay which should identify what you consider to be your most important and significant personal quality and your reflection should be focussed on this. The essay should identify the key personal quality that emerges from the various workshop exercises and module experiences and examine how this personal quality is demonstrated across a range of those activities and experiences. This means that you should choose one personal quality that you consider to be your key strength and explore this in depth. You are advised to write approximately 2500 words for the essay but there is no formal word limit.

Things to include:

• Define and describe this quality
• Explain, evaluate this quality

In what ways is this quality a strength for you? Provide specific examples of where this quality has beendisplayed.

• What attributes, behavioural preferences and values underpin thisstrength?
• What did you find difficult or particularly challenging in the workshop exercises and the experiences and why might this be? Can the theory help explainthis?
• Are there any contradictions evident from experiences and how might these be explained? For example, your strength may be your communication skills but are there certain contexts where you communicate more or less effectively than others
• How might this quality benefit you in the future? You should reflect upon what are you going to do to develop and exploit this strength as part of the conclusion and summary of thework.

The assessment will be made not on the quantity of experiences but rather the quality of reflection upon those experiences. This quality will be measured by the extent to which you can demonstrate and explain increased self-awareness in a professional or employment context through a process of reflection.

Sample Answer

Reflective Essay: Developing Self-Awareness through Communication Skills

One of the most significant personal qualities I have come to recognise and value through this module is my communication skills. This quality emerged consistently across various diagnostic tools, workshop exercises, and real-life interactions during the module, identifying it as a core strength in both personal and professional settings.

Defining and Evaluating the Quality

Communication is the ability to convey information effectively and clearly, whether through speaking, writing, or non-verbal cues. Effective communicators can adapt their message to suit different audiences and contexts. In a professional environment, this also includes active listening, empathy, and the ability to influence or collaborate with others.

According to Belbin’s Team Roles and the Honey & Mumford learning styles assessment, I demonstrated high levels of engagement, verbal reasoning, and clarity when working in groups. Workshop feedback from peers and tutors also reflected my natural ability to contribute meaningfully, summarise complex ideas, and motivate others through discussion.

Evidence of Communication in Practice

A practical example of this was during the team problem-solving task in Workshop 3, where I volunteered to lead the discussion. I was able to clearly summarise group input and facilitate equal participation, which led to us finishing the task efficiently. Another instance was a one-to-one mock interview where I received positive feedback for my clarity and confidence in articulating past experiences using the STAR technique.

Underlying Values and Preferences

My communication strength is underpinned by a preference for collaborative working, emotional intelligence, and respect for diverse perspectives. These values emerged clearly during my reflective journaling and align with my results from the MBTI personality test (ENFJ), indicating a natural tendency toward empathy, leadership, and expressive interaction.

Challenges and Contradictions

However, I noticed a discrepancy in my communication ability when placed in high-pressure or unfamiliar settings. For instance, during a role-play conflict resolution workshop, I found it difficult to remain assertive, often compromising my points to avoid tension. This suggests that while I am confident in structured, positive environments, I need to strengthen communication resilience in conflict situations.

The Johari Window model helped me explore this blind spot, realising that while I am perceived as open and expressive, there are hidden or untested dimensions of my communication style. Additionally, Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle helped me unpack emotions and consequences tied to this challenge and identify ways to improve.

Future Development

To enhance and fully utilise this quality, I aim to:

• Practise communication in high-stress or formal settings through simulations or public speaking clubs.

• Seek mentorship or feedback on how I present myself in challenging discussions.

• Take part in extracurricular activities like debates or leadership roles that test adaptive communication.

• Continue using reflective tools like learning journals to track growth and setbacks.

Continued...