This project has provided me with key insights into my style as a learner, leader and team member. As explored within my analysis, I have also identified some key recommendations I need to build on in order to have the best chance of achieving the goals laid out within my 5 year plan.
1. IMPROVE MY LIFE
I need to improve my work life balance in order to make sure I can handle the pressure of my future career. Currently, I spend too much time working especially late at night and my desire to succeed, as identified in the Johari Window alongside my hard-working nature, is becoming detrimental. To do this, I need to overcome the 'good grade mentality' I have developed throughout my education, potentially through the application of Gantt Chart planning within my work.
I need to improve my work life balance in order to make sure I can handle the pressure of my future career. Currently, I spend too much time working especially late at night and my desire to succeed, as identified in the Johari Window alongside my hard-working nature, is becoming detrimental. To do this, I need to overcome the 'good grade mentality' I have developed throughout my education, potentially through the application of Gantt Chart planning within my work.
2. IMPROVE MY LEARNING
Through the application of the Double Diamond design process, I have realised I am becoming too used to carrying out project in the way I want to; in order to become a well-rounded team member, I need to be able to work under others and adapt to different ways of doing things. In order to accomplish this, I can take advantage of further education to explore more non-design based projects and research topics.
3. IMPROVE MY LEADERSHIP
Through personal aspects of the Johari Window, and leadership analysis in-line with Hersey and Blanchard, I have been able to identify my key weakness when it comes to being a team leader. Currently, I am too avert to conflict and prefer to live altruistically, even if it comes at the expense of my own happiness or success. I need to overcome this and begin to feel comfortable with conflict, especially within a team setting. One way to accomplish this is to start taking on key roles such as team leader, to practice interacting with my peers in a situation where my decisions are 'final'.
4. IMPROVE MY MOTIVATIONS
After reflecting on my motivations through intrinsic and extrinsic factors and linking it to key words from my Johari Window research, I have realised how my perfectionist personality and 'good grade mentality' have contributed to negative factors being the main motivation for me to work towards my goals. Instead of succeeding for my own personal satisfaction, I find myself driven by a need to achieve grades and live up to the expectations of my peers and my family. In order to overcome this, I can use the open-ended nature of a PhD to truly work on something for the betterment of myself, within a subject area I want.
