In Chapter 2 I listed my strengths and weaknesses in relationship to my career aspirations; making myself a more effective leader and manager so that I can develop and run a recreational therapy consulting business. This chapter details my plan to address my strengths and weaknesses in order to achieve my career aspirations.
In this chapter I will walk through an improvement plan; I will address how I intend to improve upon my weaknesses and build upon my strengths. In Chapters 4-10 I have included exercises that will specifically help to improve identified weaknesses in noted areas to become the leader and manager I want to become in order to reach my career aspirations.
Building upon my strengths:
Willingness to learn and grow - Willingness to learn and grow is something that seems to come naturally to me. I have always had a natural drive to learn more and grow as much as I can in whatever it is I am putting my efforts toward. Personally and professionally this has been the case. In order to achieve my goal of running my own consulting business I will need to continue to build upon this skill and push myself to continue to learn and grow not only as a Recreational Therapist but also as a leader/manager and a business owner. I will complete my MBA and use that education as a tool to reach my goals.
Integrity - I will continue to carry myself with integrity and set an example for the people that are working for me and with me. Having integrity is essential to leading others and reaching my goal of having my own business. This related to the ethics chapter in this book and I will use Mr. Penney of J.C. Penney as an example of how I want to set up the ethics culture of my business.
Creativity - Creativity is something that comes rather naturally to me and is a strength as a Recreational Therapist. Creativity has been helpful in my career due to the nature of the work of a Recreational Therapist but also helped to make me more versatile as a therapist and adaptable to a variety of patient populations. I will improve upon this skill by learning as much as I can about innovation leadership and applying that information to becoming a great leader and manager.
Functional knowledge of Recreational Therapy services - Knowledge of Recreational Therapy services is a strength that I will continue to build upon as long as I work in the field. I will keep up with conferences, continuing education, and changes in the field.
Time management skills - As a leader and a manager (a business owner) it will be essential that I continue to manage my time effectively. This skill will be even more important when others are relying on me to lead them. This will be a necessary skill to achieve the work life balance that is a priority for me and also to run a successful and lucrative business. I will practice this skill in the workplace and in my personal life so that it will remain a strength when running a business.
Passion and drive for excellence - This is a strength that I will build upon by setting goals and objectively working toward them. I will use this book as a tool and a map for reaching my career aspirations.
Communication skills/work well with others - I will practice this skill while working toward my goals; to be a great leader/manager communication is essential.
Improving upon my weaknesses:
Organization skills - This is a weakness that can be improved upon with a little attention and effort. This book is the first step in organizing my goals and ideas; and making a plan on how to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to accomplish them.
Networking skills - This is another area that I can improve upon with a little bit of effort. I can set some networking goals as well as build the confidence that I need to actually network with others and share my ideas/ask for their input.
Business and marketing plan writing - As far as writing a plan for my business I will take a class that provides education on this as well as continue to gather the information that I need to accomplish this. Getting my MBA will be helpful with this area of need as well as pursuing specific education on business plan writing.
Marketing/sales skills - Education will be key in improving this skill as well as the leadership skills that are discussed in this book.
Public Speaking - This skill can be practiced at work and in my MBA program. I will need to use the opportunities provided for me to develop this skill which will require some discipline.
Basic accounting/billing skills - This is another skill that can be improved upon through the MBA program and will be essential to starting a business.
Throughout the content chapter of this book I have included exercises that are content specific but also relevant for improving the skills listed in this chapter. Using the assessments in chapter two and my own evaluation/needs these are some of the skills that I will focus on in my journey of becoming a great leader and manager.
In this chapter I will walk through an improvement plan; I will address how I intend to improve upon my weaknesses and build upon my strengths. In Chapters 4-10 I have included exercises that will specifically help to improve identified weaknesses in noted areas to become the leader and manager I want to become in order to reach my career aspirations.
Building upon my strengths:
Willingness to learn and grow - Willingness to learn and grow is something that seems to come naturally to me. I have always had a natural drive to learn more and grow as much as I can in whatever it is I am putting my efforts toward. Personally and professionally this has been the case. In order to achieve my goal of running my own consulting business I will need to continue to build upon this skill and push myself to continue to learn and grow not only as a Recreational Therapist but also as a leader/manager and a business owner. I will complete my MBA and use that education as a tool to reach my goals.
Integrity - I will continue to carry myself with integrity and set an example for the people that are working for me and with me. Having integrity is essential to leading others and reaching my goal of having my own business. This related to the ethics chapter in this book and I will use Mr. Penney of J.C. Penney as an example of how I want to set up the ethics culture of my business.
Creativity - Creativity is something that comes rather naturally to me and is a strength as a Recreational Therapist. Creativity has been helpful in my career due to the nature of the work of a Recreational Therapist but also helped to make me more versatile as a therapist and adaptable to a variety of patient populations. I will improve upon this skill by learning as much as I can about innovation leadership and applying that information to becoming a great leader and manager.
Functional knowledge of Recreational Therapy services - Knowledge of Recreational Therapy services is a strength that I will continue to build upon as long as I work in the field. I will keep up with conferences, continuing education, and changes in the field.
Time management skills - As a leader and a manager (a business owner) it will be essential that I continue to manage my time effectively. This skill will be even more important when others are relying on me to lead them. This will be a necessary skill to achieve the work life balance that is a priority for me and also to run a successful and lucrative business. I will practice this skill in the workplace and in my personal life so that it will remain a strength when running a business.
Passion and drive for excellence - This is a strength that I will build upon by setting goals and objectively working toward them. I will use this book as a tool and a map for reaching my career aspirations.
Communication skills/work well with others - I will practice this skill while working toward my goals; to be a great leader/manager communication is essential.
Improving upon my weaknesses:
Organization skills - This is a weakness that can be improved upon with a little attention and effort. This book is the first step in organizing my goals and ideas; and making a plan on how to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to accomplish them.
Networking skills - This is another area that I can improve upon with a little bit of effort. I can set some networking goals as well as build the confidence that I need to actually network with others and share my ideas/ask for their input.
Business and marketing plan writing - As far as writing a plan for my business I will take a class that provides education on this as well as continue to gather the information that I need to accomplish this. Getting my MBA will be helpful with this area of need as well as pursuing specific education on business plan writing.
Marketing/sales skills - Education will be key in improving this skill as well as the leadership skills that are discussed in this book.
Public Speaking - This skill can be practiced at work and in my MBA program. I will need to use the opportunities provided for me to develop this skill which will require some discipline.
Basic accounting/billing skills - This is another skill that can be improved upon through the MBA program and will be essential to starting a business.
Throughout the content chapter of this book I have included exercises that are content specific but also relevant for improving the skills listed in this chapter. Using the assessments in chapter two and my own evaluation/needs these are some of the skills that I will focus on in my journey of becoming a great leader and manager.