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Self Development
Self-development is a continuous process of formal and informal learning, throughout our working life. It helps us to prepare and cope with the ever-changing world of work and it gives us the confidence to take on new challenges in our work and personal lives.
We need to take on the responsibility for our self-development, with the support of our employer, colleagues, family and friends.
The Checklist
This checklist contains fifty five ways to help you with your self-development. This list is not exhaustive and you might want to add any other methods you have found useful.
You will note that formal courses are not the main route to self-development. The main route is through your commitment to develop yourself – taking every opportunity to learn and try new ideas.
Completing the Checklist:
Column (A) Do you use this method to develop your management skills?
(If the answer is YES, tick this box. The less formal methods may seem second nature; but they are very useful and important learning opportunities.)
Column (B) Could this method help you to meet your personal development needs?
(If you feel any of the methods can help with your development needs, note how you intend to gain that help – who you can ask for advice etc. – and when you will take that action.)
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Individual Learning |
(A) |
(B) |
- Identifying your learning style and developing your learning skills?
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- Reading ed material – books, articles, newspapers etc?
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- Watching ed T.V. programmes, videos etc?
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- Writing reports or book reviews etc?
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- Keeping a ‘Learning Diary’
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- Listening to cassettes/CDs/Radio ‘on the move’?
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- Using computer based training?
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- Joining and being active in a professional institute?
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- Undertaking an Open Learning programme?
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Group Work |
(A) |
(B) |
- Visiting other organisations?
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- Serve on a task force, project team or working party?
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- Participate in a business game or simulation?
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- Self managed learning group?
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- Attend a training course?
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Change of Duties |
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- Secondment to another organisation?
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- Take up office in the community?
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- ‘Job swap’ within your organisation?
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- Join a sports/social/hobbies club?
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- Act as a non-executive director?
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- Deputise for your manager?
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- Take on new responsibilities?
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Represent your organisation/colleagues |
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- Represent your organisation or profession?
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- Serve as a union or staff association representative?
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- Serve in an education/industry link organisation?
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- Work on a community project?
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- Be a school/college governor?
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Respond to Guidance |
(A) |
(B) |
- Respond to guidance from your line manager?
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- Accept newly delegated authority?
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- Encourage and respond to all-round feedback?
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- Use guidance from a mentor?
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- Get to know a colleague who is good at developing people?
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- Use diagnostic ‘toolkits’?
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- See a professional guidance practitioner/attend an assessment centre?
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Creative Skills |
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- Carry out constructive reviews of successes and failures as learning opportunities?
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- Change the way in which you do your work?
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- Brainstorm problems and ideas?
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- Analyse the actions of effective leaders?
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- Undertake benchmarking exercises?
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Build up personal contacts/mutual support |
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- Actively participate in your professional body?
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- Develop a network to support your development?
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- Join business clubs and organisations?
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- Develop your training/coaching skills?
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- Encourage your staff to take charge of their self development and offer yourself as a mentor?
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- Delegate parts of your job?
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- Share your personal successes with those who have helped you?
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the methods you have used and/or would like to try |
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