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On the instruction of the module leader of
4HRB450 – Interpersonal Skills for Business
module, I have been asked to develop a “Reflective
Portfolio” based on a self-evaluation SWOT analysis
and make personal reflection and comments on
the interpersonal skills I have improved and how
during the module, and the ones I want to improve
and my plan for achieve my aims.
1. Executive Summary
As a result of self-reflective SWOT analysis I have
identified my main strengths in my leadership and
decision making aptitude, group work commitment
and attendance, and my self-confidence and ability
to learn new skills quickly. However, recognize my
main weaknesses to be my tendency to
procrastinate and get easily distracted, time
management issues including to start work late
and to rush at the last minute but without missing
a deadline, and bad management with lazy people
in group work.
2. Introduction
This report has been written during the second
term of the academic year 2005/06. At present I
am 25 years old and I live in London on my own. I
left my family when I was 20 and I move to London
to improve my English and to obtain a degree
followed by a master in Finance in a good English
University, hopefully London Business School.
Before starting University I’ve accomplished the
equivalent of high-school and A-Level in IT and
Electronics in Italy. I worked as a computer
programmer for 3 years and as finance assistant
for 1 year, with a couple of shorter jobs in the
middle. Leaving on my own together with working
experience helped me to develop self-confidence
and maturity.
3. Interpersonal Skills
3.1 Time Management
From the analysis of the time logs (Appendix C) it
appears clear that my time management it is not
well organized and I have a tendency for
procrastination (Appendix A) and wasting time. I
have identified my main issues as procrastinating
before staring an important work, getting
distracted easily, wasting time watching DVD’s and
staring my day too late.
3.1.2 Procrastination
According to the outcome of the “Procrastination
Indicator” (Appendix A), my biggest weaknesses
are chatting, leaving important work until the last
minute and difficulties in starting to concentrate to
work or study. This defines me as a person aware
of my tendency to procrastinate but who work hard
to keep it under control. I totally agree with this
description. I am aware of my tendency to
procrastinate, especially before starting to study. I
have identified my self as an “Excessive
Socialiser”, as I tend to get interrupted and
distracted by my friend, especially chatting
through MSN, and as a “Perfectionist”, as I always
set myself high aims and want to achieve high
results and marks, looking for more improvements
all the time.
3.1.3 Time Wasting
Through the self-reflective “Time Waste” Test
(Appendix B) I recognize that I am easily distracted
by everything that comes along while I am
studying. This often makes me loose time
distracting me from what I was doing and loosing
the concentration.
3.2.1 Questionnaires
As we discussed in the seminar, there are some
people who have a natural talent of leadership. I
believe to be one of them. As it appears from the
“Managerial Grid Questionnaire” and the
Leadership style (Appendix F and G), I tend to be a
good team leader. However, from some of these
questions I have recognized some of my
weaknesses. I tend to place relationships despite of
the good results and do not complain when people
do not work hard, I should be stronger with lazy
people. In previous experience I have noticed that
everybody was expecting me to take action or talk
to these people and they complained to me rather
than with them. Usually my attitude towards
laziness is to get the job done myself avoiding
discussion that I think will not be productive.
3.2.2 Styles
As described by Stanton (2004), there are 3 styles
of leadership: Democratic, Autocratic and Laissez-
faire. I tend to be as democratic as possible,
considering member’s opinion, planning a schedule
with approval of other’s, leaving freedom of work,
dividing tasks according to ability and consent and
try to make everybody participating and
expressing their opinion. However, some people
take advantage of this and do not do any work.
Perhaps I should be a bit more autocratic and push
lazy people to work harder, putting the work before
relationship. As a team leader I tend to listen to
others people opinions and suggestions, and I try
not to force my own ideas. However, if I strongly
believe to be right, I have notice that I keep going
until I convince the others, which on the other
hand give up quite easily.
3.3.1 Listening
Although I have always thought that I was a good
active listener, it came to my attention that I have
some weaknesses in this area. (Appendix H).
Stanton (2004) defines the qualities of a good
listener, including interest, listen critically and
carefully, not allowing distractions, taking notes,
replying or holding the answer in order to help the
speaker. However, there are different types of
communications and active listening. I feel like
being a good active listener during lectures, by
taking notes and seminars by intervening and
taking part to the conversation when appropriate,
and not as good in informal or private discussions
because I tend to interrupt people when they
speak or I talk too much.
3.3.3 Barriers
Stanton (2004) defines different types of barriers
to communication, including differences in
perception, stereotyping, emotions and
personality, lack of interest, difficulty with self-
expression, lack of knowledge and use of jargon.
4. Conclusion
This report is the outcome of a self-reflective SWOT
analysis conducted through self-evaluating
questionnaires and exercises to establish my
weakness and strength in terms of Interpersonal
skills and analyse if I have improved them and
how.