Identify the major themes that emerge from your overall perspective of these results. When possible, insert examples from your experience to provide evidence for your claims.

Personal development plan

Type: Report
Learning Objectives Assessed: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2

Weight: 40%
Individual; 3000 words
Task Description:

You have recently enrolled in an MBA program and this is an ideal time to reflect on what you want to achieve from the program to derive maximum benefit. In addition to gaining functional knowledge and skills in a range of subject areas, what do you hope to achieve both personally and professionally? What is your vision for your future? How is your overall sense of direction aligned with your vision? How will you assess your progress during and at the end of your MBA program?

The purpose of this assignment is to write yourself a comprehensive development plan that references the relevant academic literature. There are a range of capabilities that you might consider (in addition to knowledge). For example, leadership capability including a deeper understanding of your personal style and personality preferences, your strengths and weaknesses, your values and beliefs, managing yourself and relating to others, becoming a more effective communicator with a range of people from different backgrounds and with different styles, learning effectively, and managing your own career. There are many more.

You will read peer reviewed scholarly articles in quality journals to ascertain not only the value of developing such a plan, but also to understand the cutting edge thought related to the area(s) you have selected for your own development.

This assignment, which has a 3000 word limit, is in five parts as follows:

Part One: Introduction
An introduction provides the reader with some insight into the topic (of leadership development) and an overview of the assignment. Let the reader know what to expect and which aspects of development are relevant to you.

In a second paragraph provide a plan of your assignment to guide the reader’s expectation of what follows. Often this is written last and will constitute 10% of the total word count of the assignment.

Part Two: My current reality 
In this section, you will provide a snap shot of your current role and non-work commitments. Then report on your analysis of your current reality that you have drawn from the self-assessment instruments used on this course (ICCS career exploration; PTI majors, learning styles, VIA report on strengths, Leadership Capability Framework (360), conflict and influence styles, vision exercise etc) and your personal career experience.

1. Briefly identify the key points from each instrument (do NOT describe the instrument, just your key results), either that were new learning for you or reminders of elements that you may have forgotten or overlooked. You can reference literature that supports the value of the instruments or the way that they may contribute to leadership development.
2. Identify the major themes that emerge from your overall perspective of these results. When possible, insert examples from your experience to provide evidence for your claims.
3. Consider the implications of these themes, particularly in terms of your work experience and career aspirations that may heighten your wish for development in a particular area to achieve your future reality. The detail will be explored in the next section.

Part Three: Working towards my future reality
In this section, begin with a brief description and meaning associated with the photo you selected to illustrate your future reality. How does it portray your vision for your future and your leadership?

1. Identify the key areas that you need to develop in order to achieve your vision. Examples may include emotional intelligence, change management, self-esteem and confidence, negotiation and conflict management, strategic thinking etc.
2. Demonstrate your understanding of the key themes from relevant and contemporary academic literature that supports your focus on the selected areas.

Part Four: My action plan
In this section you will draw up a table with 4 columns.

• In column A: List the key actions that you will focus on. The specific actions will link directly to issues discussed in depth in Part Three – Working towards my future reality. Remember that SMART goals are most effective, that is, goals that are specific; measurable, achievable, realistic and include a time component.
• In column B: For each key action, identify the “balloons” or factors that will support you to achieve your goal. For example, these may be resources or people.
• In column C: For each key action, identify the “anchors” or potential barriers that you might anticipate that could compromise your ability to develop as desired.
• In column D: Identify for each potential barrier ways that you anticipate to counter it. It is important to be specific.

NB: You will share your action plan with your peer coach and use it to assess your progress during the year. You may add to it as the year progresses.

Part Five: Conclusion
In this section you will conclude your assignment with a summary of the purpose of the plan and the key points from all previous sections.

Self Evaluation Component
You are required to self-assess your PDP according to the Assessment Criteria Rubric. Include your self-assessment at the end of the PDP report. This section is not included in the assignment word count.

Referencing: Use APA or AMJ referencing and include a reference list of all cited literature.
Criteria & Marking:

The Personal Development Plan will be evaluated using the attached Assessment Criteria Rubric. This rubric is also available on the course Blackboard site (see Assessment tab) and will be discussed in class.

Remember to include a self-assessment of your assignment using the Assessment Criteria Rubric.