Assignment Sample on Personal Effectiveness
Introduction
Personal effectiveness refers to the ability of an individual to efficiently manage their personal and professional responsibilities in a way that maximizes their potential for success. It involves setting clear goals, prioritizing tasks, managing time effectively, communicating well, and being proactive in problem-solving (Stander et. al. 2019). Personal effectiveness also includes self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. When individuals are personally effective, they can achieve their objectives, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and positively contribute to their organization or community.
In this report, the personal effectiveness skills of Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, are examined to see how these skills have helped him succeed as a company leader using relevant frameworks. As stated by Berry et. al. (2020), personal effectiveness helps in accomplishing desired behaviours and results. Utilizing all of one’s resources, including ability, competencies, energy, and time management, to further one’s professional and personal goals is referred to as personal effectiveness. This report also analyses my learning preferences and contrasts various self-improvement techniques that I can use by considering the example of Mark Zuckerberg. The purpose of the report is to offer experience and insights on how to become a successful leader in the business world today through an examination of Mark Zuckerberg’s abilities and behaviours. It also suggests comparing and contrasting various tactics employed by successful business leaders, such as effective communication, adaptability, and problem-solving, to enhance personal efficacy skills. Also, the report emphasizes using relevant models the action plan for being successful, the significance of routinely assessing performance, and identifying areas for growth.
Task 1: Case Study Review
Positive Skills and Behaviour of Global Business Leader
Strategic Thinking Ability
The ability to think and move strategically is one of Mark Zuckerberg’s positive traits as a leader in international business. Making choices based on complex information analysis and keeping in mind the organization’s long-term objectives is known as strategic thinking. In case the primary plan fails, it is good to have a secondary plan.
Figure 1: Strategic Leadership Traits of Mark Zuckerberg
(Source: Strategic leadership, 2022)
Facebook’s 2012 purchase of Instagram is a shining illustration of Zuckerberg’s prowess in strategic thinking. At the time, Instagram was a rapidly expanding photo-sharing app with a committed user base, and Zuckerberg saw its potential to improve Facebook’s social media platform. Despite reservations from some experts and investors about the $1 billion price tag, Zuckerberg made the calculated choice to buy Instagram and incorporate it into Facebook’s platform. This tactical choice paid off, as Instagram kept expanding quickly and rose to become one of the most widely used social media platforms worldwide.
Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram also removed a possible rival and strengthened its position as the leading player in the social media sector. Facebook and its stakeholders profit from Zuckerberg’s strategic thinking abilities because they help the company remain ahead of the curve and adjust to shifting market conditions. Zuckerberg can make decisions that support the organization’s long-term objectives and strengthen its competitive edge by examining data and trends. His strategic thinking abilities also support the organization’s culture of innovation and growth by inspiring and motivating staff to work toward a shared goal.
Negative Skills and Behaviour of Global Business Leaders
Improper Prioritisation and Challenging Company’s Privacy
Mark Zuckerberg, the creator, and CEO of Facebook tend to prioritize profits over privacy, which is one of his negative behaviours. The 2018 Cambridge Analytical controversy demonstrated this. Without the users’ permission, the company accessed the confidential information of millions of Facebook users while working for the Trump campaign in the 2016 US presidential election. It was claimed that Cambridge Analytical used this information to generate a political advertisement that impacted election results.
In this instance, Facebook’s users and the political process suffered from the actions of Zuckerberg. He encouraged the unethical and potentially illegal use of personal information by putting business interests ahead of users’ privacy. In the end, this hurt Facebook’s image and decreased public confidence in the business. Additionally, the larger corporate community is harmed by this behaviour. Business leaders have to put ethical and socially conscious practices ahead of purely financial objectives. When business executives like Zuckerberg, prioritize profits over user privacy and moral standards, it can erode the credibility of the industry as a whole. Increased regulatory scrutiny and public mistrust of businesses may result from this, which may eventually be detrimental to both specific businesses and overall economic growth.
Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Successful People
Figure 2: Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Successful People
(Source: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – leader in me, 2018)
Many leaders and people looking to improve both their professional and personal lives have embraced Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People as an effective framework for personal success. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, is a prominent example of a leader who has used this framework.
Being proactive:
It emphasizes accepting accountability for one’s own decisions and activities. Zuckerberg’s proactive strategy has demonstrated this in resolving issues and overcoming obstacles. For instance, in response to the Cambridge Analytical controversy, he accepted accountability for the firm’s actions and started making changes to enhance user privacy
Begin with the end in mind: It emphasized the importance of creating and accomplishing desired goals. Zuckerberg primarily focuses on connecting the entire globe and creating a better communication model.
Put Important things first: It focuses on creating and setting up the priorities for essential tasks and efficiently utilizing time. Zuckerberg is famous for his effective time management approach, and one of the examples is his Gray T-shirt which he generally wears, thus saving time in thinking about what to dress.
Think Win-Win: It encourages people to look for win-win outcomes in all of their encounters. By concentrating on generating benefits for users and marketers as well as forging alliances with other businesses and organizations, Zuckerberg has put this habit into practice.
Seek Initial to comprehend: It highlights the value of empathy and attentive attention in interpersonal interactions. By interacting with customers and other interested parties to comprehend their requirements and worries and by fostering a collaborative atmosphere inside the business, Zuckerberg has put this habit into practice.
Synergize: It entails cooperating with others to accomplish shared objectives. By assembling a solid team and promoting an atmosphere of cooperation and innovation at Facebook, Zuckerberg has put this habit into practice
Sharpen the Saw: It is all about pursuing ongoing psychological growth. By consistently seeking out new chances for growth and challenges, like his current emphasis on developing augmented and virtual reality technology, Zuckerberg has put this habit into practice
Task 2: Evaluation of Learning Cycle
Honey and Mumford’s Learning Style Questionnaire Test
REFLECTOR
Examination of Main Learning Style and Appraisal of Strengths and Limitations
As a reflector, my main learning style involves observing and thinking about experiences, rather than immediately taking action. I tend to take a step back and analyze situations before making decisions or taking action, and often seek feedback and input from others before forming my conclusions. This learning style allows me to gather and process information thoroughly, and I am often able to identify patterns and insights that others may miss.
One strength of being a reflector is that I can provide thoughtful and well-informed perspectives on complex issues. I am often able to see the big picture and understand the nuances of a situation, which can be helpful in decision-making processes. As indicated by Fortin et. al. (2022), my willingness to seek out and consider feedback from others can help me to continually improve my skills and knowledge.
However, one potential limitation of being a reflector is that I may sometimes struggle with making decisions or taking action quickly. My tendency to analyze and reflect on experiences can sometimes lead to a sense of indecisiveness, which may prevent me from taking advantage of opportunities promptly. As reported by Troussas et. al. (2022), because I tend to value feedback from others, I may sometimes struggle to trust my instincts or make decisions based on my judgment.
Overall, as a reflector, I have a valuable learning style that can lead to deep insights and thoughtful perspectives. As mentioned by Kannan et. al. (2021), it is important to balance my reflective nature with action-oriented approaches to ensure that I can make decisions and take action when needed.
Usefulness of Learning Style Framework in developing Personal Effectiveness
The learning style framework can be incredibly useful in developing personal effectiveness as it helps individuals to better understand their preferred learning styles, strengths, and weaknesses (Puspita and Amelia, 2020). By understanding how they learn best, individuals can develop strategies to enhance their learning and improve their overall effectiveness.
For reflectors, understanding their learning style can be particularly valuable. Reflectors tend to learn best by observing and analyzing experiences, so they may benefit from taking a more deliberate and analytical approach to their personal and professional development. For example, people might find it helpful to set aside time to reflect on their experiences and identify key insights and takeaways (Kannan et. al. 2021).
Reflectors can also benefit from seeking out feedback from others. As people tend to value feedback and input from others, they can use this to their advantage by seeking out constructive feedback on their work and using it to improve key skills and knowledge. As stated by Puspita and Amelia, (2020), it might find it helpful to work collaboratively with others to gain new perspectives and insights.
Another strategy that can be useful for reflectors is to focus on building self-awareness. By understanding key strengths, weaknesses, and learning preferences, reflectors can develop personalized strategies for learning and development (Isnaini and Aminatun, 2021). For example, they might find it helpful to create a learning plan that aligns with their strengths and learning preferences or to seek out mentors or coaches who can help them to develop major skills.
In addition, reflectors can benefit from developing their emotional intelligence (EI). As people tend to be thoughtful and analytical, people might sometimes struggle with interpersonal relationships and communication (Isnaini and Aminatun, 2021). By developing key EI, reflectors can become more effective communicators and build stronger relationships with others.
Overall, the learning style framework can be a powerful tool for developing personal effectiveness. By understanding the actual preferred learning styles and strengths, individuals can develop personalized strategies for learning and development that enable them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. For reflectors, this may involve a focus on self-reflection, seeking feedback from others, building self-awareness, and developing emotional intelligence (Yusuf et. al. 2019). By using these strategies, reflectors can enhance their effectiveness and become more successful in both their personal and professional lives.
Task 3: Comparison of Methods of Improving Skills
After studying business leaders ‘ key competencies and behaviors, I need to improve two skills to increase my employability and personal efficacy at work. These skills are:
Communication Skill and Listening Skills
I need to work on being a better, engaged listener when communicating. Even though I’m a decent communicator, there are instances when I find it difficult to hear what others are saying and comprehend their viewpoints fully. The relationships and efficiency at work may be improved due to misunderstandings and miscommunications.
My listening ability is ordinary at this time. Although I make an effort to pay attention to what other people are saying, there are times when I discover that my thoughts are elsewhere or preoccupied with formulating a response. I also need help speaking before the other individual has finished speaking or finishing their sentence. I’ve found two possible strategies that are mindfulness and reflective listening to enhance my active listening abilities.
Being mindful entails fully concentrating on what is going on around you in the present moment. This can be done by sitting in meditation or just taking a few slow, deep breaths before speaking. On the other hand, reflective listening involves repeating back what the other individual has said to make sure you have completely understood their viewpoint. While both approaches have advantages, reflective listening is the best way to develop my active listening abilities. It is helpful to have a concrete action to practice, like repeating back what the other person has said, as I am a visual and kinaesthetic learner. This permits further comprehension and clarification, which can help avoid misunderstandings.
Method to improve the said skill
As mentioned by Hoffmann et. al. (2018), reflective listening enhances communication skills of an individual. It is discovered that reflective listening could help boost empathy, lessen defensiveness, and strengthen dialogue. “Crucial Conversations” is another source or concept that promotes the use of reflective listening. This provides stress over the value of active listening and offers tips for speaking clearly when there is a lot at risk.
Thus, one of the critical areas for developing my communication skills is honing my active listening abilities through reflective listening. I can enhance working interactions and efficiency by completely comprehending others’ perspectives and ideas. Utilizing tools like “Crucial Conversations” can also aid in my development in this regard.
To further develop listening skills through reflective listening, several additional methods can be utilized. One approach is to ask open-ended questions to the speaker, which can encourage them to share more information and clarify their thoughts. This can also demonstrate that an individual is actively listening and engaged in the conversation.
Another method is to use nonverbal cues such as maintaining eye contact, nodding, and showing interest through facial expressions (Yusuf et. al. 2019). These cues can indicate to the speaker that individuals are fully present and attentive, which can encourage them to continue sharing their thoughts and feelings.
It is also important to avoid interrupting the speaker and to give them time to finish their thoughts before responding (Rao, 2019). This can help to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that an individual has fully understood their perspective before sharing their own.
Additionally, practicing active listening in everyday conversations outside of work can also be beneficial in improving listening skills. This can include listening to friends and family members, attending public speeches or talks, and engaging in group discussions (Rao, 2019).
By consistently practicing reflective listening and incorporating these additional methods, one can develop strong listening skills and become a more effective communicator. This can lead to improved relationships, increased productivity, and greater success in both personal and professional endeavors with a diverse range of positive outcomes and benefits at the same place (Leijten et. al. 2019).
Conclusions
It can be concluded that after analyzing my learning style and identifying areas for improvement in my communication and listening skills, it has been believed that one should have the necessary skills to be personally effective. By utilizing the reflective listening method and practicing active listening in everyday conversations, I can become a better communicator and build stronger relationships both personally and professionally. Additionally, by continuing to develop one’s skills and knowledge through continuous learning and self-improvement, one can become a more effective and valuable member of any team or organization.
Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership style is characterized by his innovative and visionary approach to business, as well as his focus on continuous improvement and learning. His strengths include his ability to identify and pursue new opportunities, his willingness to take risks, and his commitment to creating a strong and cohesive team. However, his limitations include his tendency towards arrogance and lack of accountability, as well as his sometimes-questionable ethical decisions.
The learning style framework provides individuals with valuable insights into their preferred learning styles, strengths, and limitations. As a reflector, the main learning style involves observing and analyzing experiences before taking action. Overall, understanding one’s preferred learning style can help develop personalized strategies for learning and development, leading to success in both personal and professional life.
Overall, personal effectiveness requires a combination of skills, including effective communication, active listening, self-awareness, and a willingness to learn and grow. By identifying our strengths and limitations and taking proactive steps to improve our skills, we can become more effective leaders, team members, and contributors to our communities and organizations.
References
Active Listening: An Important Communication Skill, (2016). [Online]. Accessed through: <https://www.mygreatlearning.com/blog/active-listening/>.
Berry, L., Mirabito, A. M., & Baun, W. B. (2020). What’s the hard return on employee wellness programs? (pp. 2012-2068). SSRN.
Fortin, G., Chevrier, J. and Amyot, É., (2022). Adaptation française du Learning Styles Questionnaire de Honey et Mumford. Mesure et évaluation en éducation, 19(3), pp.95-118.
Hoffmann, A. L., Proferes, N., & Zimmer, M. (2018). “Making the world more open and connected”: Mark Zuckerberg and the discursive construction of Facebook and its users. New media & society, 20(1), 199-218.
Honey and Mumford Learning Style Test, (2023). [Online]. Accessed through: https://www.eln.co.uk/blog/honey-mumford-learner-types-1986-questionnaire-online
Isnaini, S. and Aminatun, D., (2021). DO YOU LIKE LISTENING TO MUSIC?: STUDENTS THOUGHT ABOUT THEIR VOCABULARY MASTERY USING ENGLISH SONGS. Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning, 2(2), pp.62-67.
Kannan, B., Shanmugavelu, G., Arumugam, S., Baskaran, S.M., Balakrishnan, A. and Parasuraman, L., (2021). Students’ Learning Styles in the Classroom and Its Importance to Educators in the Teaching and Learning Process: An Overview. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research.
Leijten, P., Gardner, F., Melendez-Torres, G.J., Van Aar, J., Hutchings, J., Schulz, S., Knerr, W. and Overbeek, G., (2019). Meta-analyses: Key parenting program components for disruptive child behavior. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 58(2), pp.180-190.
Puspita, D. and Amelia, D., (2020). TED-TALK: A SUPPLEMENT MATERIAL TO PROMOTE STUDENTS’ AUTONOMY IN LISTENING. Eltin Journal: Journal of English Language Teaching in Indonesia, 8(2), pp.91-102.
Rao, P.S., (2019). The importance of speaking skills in English classrooms. Alford Council of International English & Literature Journal (ACIELJ), 2(2), pp.6-18.
Stander, J., Grimmer, K. and Brink, Y., (2019). Learning styles of physiotherapists: a systematic scoping review. BMC medical education, 19(1), pp.1-9.
Strategic Leadership. (2022). [Online]. Accessed through: <https://blog.vantagecircle.com/strategic-leadership/>
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – leader in me, (2018). Available at: https://www.leaderinme.org/the-7-habits-of-highly-effective-people/. (Accessed: March 28, 2023).
Troussas, C., Krouska, A. and Sgouropoulou, C., (2022), September. Employing FFNN and Learning Styles to Improve Knowledge Acquisition in Educational Digital Games. In Novel & Intelligent Digital Systems: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference (NiDS 2022) (pp. 95-103). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Yusuf, Q., Jusoh, Z. and Yusuf, Y.Q., (2019). Cooperative Learning Strategies to Enhance Writing Skills among Second Language Learners. International Journal of Instruction, 12(1), pp.1399-1412.
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