1.0 Introduction
It is necessary for me to begin my own reflection by identifying the skills that line managers require for sound people management and developing on these points to evaluate my own skill set and whether it coincides with a managers competencies. This will help me improve and develop oneself in the future and perhaps lead me to participate in activities which set to improve on existing and new skills. However, to build the foundations of my reflection there needs be an understanding of what reflection is and its importance.
1.1 Understanding Reflection
The reflective practice is said to be one of the most important concepts taught in higher education in the United Kingdom (Kandlbinder and Peseta, 2009). It can be defined as the consideration of ones practices, processes and identity. It requires looking beyond our actions and towards the external factors which can influence the choices we make and how we act upon those choices (Sunderland, 2013). This would mean that the focus should not just be on my experiences, how I achieved them and being self-aware of my strengths and weaknesses; but also how these have been influenced by factors which are out of my control and how these factors guided me towards my decision making.
1.3 Discovering the importance of reflection
It has been reported that many students do not see the relevance of self-reflection as part of their development, this being highlighted in a very recent journal article Nursing Education Today. The nursing students were required to participate in a reflection process known as THiNK. The students that participated did not see the need for reflection at the start of the process, but as they participated the effectiveness became evident. It led the majority of nursing students to outwardly express that the reflective journals they had written where the best assessment for individual development during their clinical placement (Dahl and Erikson, 2016). From this information I have been reformed in my own views of reflection. At present I only take feedback from my tutors and lecturers. I have a number of times been self-aware of how I could improve my work but never thought to keep an up to date record of this. As I am in the process of applying for placement I now regard keeping a reflective diary an important aspect to my academic and personal development. Although the research primarily focuses on nursing students I feel as a Business Management student that the THiNK process can also apply to my studies.
Self-reflection doesn’t only include looking ones strengths but also considering weaknesses which can be hard because the general consensus is that it is hard highlight areas for improvement. It is said that students can develop a fear of ‘looking through the mirror’ as it is the unknown and this can lead to becoming protective (Bolton, 2010). I can relate to this as when I first was introduced to self-reflection I did not know where to start as I found describing and evaluating oneself was challenging and thought, where to do begin? However, reflection is needed so that you have an insight in your actions and whether they were appropriate and if not, how you can change them in the future to be appropriate (Erikson at al., 2014, citied in Dahl and Erikson, 2016). It is essential that not only students self-reflect but teachers engage in self-reflection on a regular basis to support the students (Dahl and Erikson, 2016). The importance for this has been highlighted in several articles evaluate by Kathryn. A Sunderland (2016) where it focused on teacher’s ability to reflect. On conclusion from one article by Shelley Kinash and Kayleen Wood specified that teachers sound demonstrate awareness of self-strengths , be compassionate to themselves and other, identify opportunities for academic development and embrace leadership (Sunderland, 2013).
2.0 The importance of soft skills in line management
It has become apparent that soft skills are essential for line managers. Nestle have demonstrated this by training their line managers in softer elements such as; management issues with change, handling resistance to change, project management, leadership, team building and communication skills. They have also required managers to put these skills to practice to prevent it being another ‘file on the shelf’ (Strategic Direction, 2004).
I am going to draw on three of these; leadership, team building and communication skills by showing how I have demonstrated these and also some improvements I need to produce to develop. Leadership is about pushing people to their full potential, translating the complex into the comprehensible, showing gratitude for good work and having emotional intelligence (Sederer, 2012). I feel I have shown this through guiding team members through misunderstanding in group work during modules. I have shown emotional intelligence by expressing empathy towards team members who may not have the confidence in themselves or unable to do particular tasks, so therefore require guidance and extended time to complete task. I have also found that commending a fellow associate on their level of work has benefited the group and their confidence has flourished from the positive feedback.