Module information

Personal Transformations

Module description

This module is focused on the personal effectiveness and the interpersonal excellence needed to create positive impact within the workplace. Personal effectiveness includes managing own learning, the identification of personal development needs and taking responsibility for the achievement of learning objectives. Interpersonal excellence is a fundamental core running throughout the MBA and cohort members will develop an enhanced sense of Self and Other, in order to better manage relationships amongst a range of stakeholders. You will complete a range of personal development activities, engaging with both your career consultant and module lead to reflect regularly upon both your personal development and career aspirations.

Full module specification

Module aims

This module is launched at the start of the academic year and progresses alongside all other modules culminating in a portfolio that evidences progression against own professional development plan across the year. Through a series of career profiling, psychometric assessments and awareness raising exercises, cohort members are able to identify the strengths, values and personality drivers that shape them.

Using an ongoing process of reflection, you will review progress using feedback; drawn from self-assessment, academic tutors, module leads and MBA peers. Using this heightened self-awareness you are supported in developing the skills and behaviours needed to influence, persuade and lead others.

ILO: Module-specific skills

• 1. Create a personal development plan, using widely recognised tools and techniques to ensure the identification of learning needs.
• 2. Connect to others by developing authentic, effective and productive relationships. Use emotional and social intelligence, active listening and open questioning to communicate effectively with others.
• 3. Engage with constructive ways to address personal, organisational and social challenges. Identify appropriate tools and techniques to strengthen well-being, think critically and act with compassion.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

• 4. Implement developmental insights and modify own behaviours in an ongoing process of improved Self-awareness.
• 5. Critically appraise your personal effectiveness and use this reflection to produce materials suited to career enhancement
• 6. Take responsibility for own professional development, using reflective practice to explore, identify, and record own development process

ILO: Personal and key skills

• 7. Apply different forms of communication (written, verbal non-verbal, digital) and know when to use them.
• 8. Tailor communication approach to stakeholders, able to facilitate cross-functional working and negotiation
• 9. Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills; attentive listening, influencing techniques, negotiating and persuasion.
• 10. Develop resilience by identifying own needs, drawing on a range of appropriate resources to managing stress and personal well-being. Articulate an understanding of own core values, strengths and ambitions in the determination of own sense of purpose.

Syllabus plan

This module is synoptic, it seeks to pull together learning from across all modules, and requires you to demonstrate higher level thinking and apply it to the context within which you operate. The ability to synthesise and integrate new knowledge and personal insight sits at the heart of managerial effectiveness. The academic tutoring will centre on your own reflective journal which, requires you to identify potential challenges and opportunities against which to develop your skills and behaviours.

Interpersonal Excellence– managing relationships includes, communication; the ability to understand different forms of communication (written, verbal non-verbal, digital) and how to apply them. Awareness of interpersonal skills of effective listening, influencing techniques, negotiating and persuasion.  Working in teams and the value of multiple perspectives in decision making and problem solving.

Personal Effectiveness– managing self includes recognising own and other learning styles. Know how to use emotional, cultural and social intelligence, and active listening and open questioning to work effectively with others. Know how to manage time, set goals, prioritise activities and undertake forward planning in a business environment with a focus on outcomes. Decision Making - Know how to undertake research, data analysis, problem solving and decision-making 

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Recommended text:

Cottrell, S. (2015) Skills for success, personal development and employability. Palgrave Macmillan

Middleton, J. (2014) CQ: The Competitive Edge for Leaders Crossing Borders. Bloomsbury

Miller, D. (2015) Brilliant Personal Effectiveness. Pearson

Patterson, K. Grenny, J. Mcmillan, R. & Switzler, A. (2011) Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition. McGraw Hill

Stone, D. & Heen, S. (2014) Thanks for the feedback. The science and art of receiving feedback well. Penguin.

Further Reading:

Cottrell, S. (2017) Critical Thinking Skills; developing effective analysis, argument and reflection. Palgrave Macmillan

Flowers, B.S. Scharmers, C.O, Jaworski, J. & Senge, P.M (2005) Presence: Exploring Profound Change in People, Organizations and Society. Nicholas Brealey Publishing

Peddler, M., Burgoyne, J., & Boydell, T. (2007) A Managers Guide to Self-Development.  McGraw-Hill

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

You are encouraged to engage with a broad range of personal development resources – Podcasts: TED talks, professional articles and academic journals. 

Last revision date

07/11/2018

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