Personal SWOT Analysis
Introduction
A SWOT analysis is an environmental analysis tool used to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an organization or an individual (Fine 4). According to Fine (4-7) SWOT analysis is used to scan both the internal and the external environment. In the strategic planning process, SWOT analysis is essential to understanding the environment. SWOT analysis is useful in helping an organization or an individual to identify the environmental influences. The internal influences are represented by the strengths and weaknesses while the external influences are represented by the opportunities and threats. Completing a SWOT analysis helps an organization or an individual to determine the environmental influences that can assist the organization to accomplish its goals and the obstacles that need to be minimized or overcome to achieve the desired results. As such SWOT analysis is important to providing the insight of the environment necessary to realizing individual or organizational goals. Environmental analysis is important before taking any strategic decision (Thomas 34).
Helms & Judy, (217) argue that when building a personal or organization strategy, SWOT analysis is considered as an effective strategy. A strong relation between and individual or organization strengths and opportunities suggest a good condition for the individual or the organization to use aggressive strategy. While the existence of a strong relation between an individual or organization weaknesses and threats is considered as a warning and as such use of a defensive strategy is recommended. SWOT analysis can be applied in organization, projects, situation and personal life. This paper will provide my personal SWOT analysis and a comment on my fit within the organization.
Discussion
A personal SWOT analysis helps individuals to better understand themselves in life (Caroline 3). Caroline (3-4) argues that personal SWOT analysis is important as it helps individuals identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. SWOT analysis is a powerful tool since it can help in identifying strengths and opportunities that an individual could have been unable to spot. It also helps in understanding individual’s weaknesses and threats that otherwise could not have known to exist. According to Thomas 45 understanding own weaknesses can help in managing the threats that exist and which could limit the ability of the individual to realize their goals and objectives. Conducting a SWOT analysis helps a person to separate themselves from their peers and assist in the development of abilities and specialized talents useful to advance individual goals and objectives. The success of the personal SWOT analysis largely depends on the honesty of the individual.
Thomas (39-45) claim that to understand one's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and individual should reflect on the following;
Strengths-Reflecting on some of the following matters would help identify personal strengths- the advantages that one has over the others such as education, certifications, skills and connections among others. Areas one is better than any other people such as athletics, acting, and singing. The personal resources an individual can access such as attitude, money, knowledge and energy and the values that other people fail to exhibit.
Weaknesses-To analyze individual weaknesses and individual may consider the following tasks not confident when performing them, what other people consider as your weaknesses, negative habits and personal traits that hold an individual back.
Opportunities- Opportunities are presented from the external environment. As such an individual should consider the following matters to help in identifying the opportunities available to them; the technological advancements that can help attain personal goals, growth in the industry, existence of a strategic network of contacts, current trends, and shortfalls of others that can be exploited.
Threats- personal threats can be identified by understanding the following; current obstacles an individual is facing, the existence of competition from others, technology changes, and weaknesses that could lead to a threat.
The understanding of the above concepts is important to conducting an effective personal SWOT analysis.
Personal SWOT analysis
The results of my personal SWOT analysis with respect to my organization are summarized using below;
Strengths
First, good decision making- in an organization decision making is part of the daily operations (Caroline 3). As such the ability to make sound decisions is vital to succeeding in my current position. In various instances, I have been congratulated by the top management for my ability to make effective decisions. I have come to identify good decision making as one of my strengths in the organization. Second, fair but firm leadership style- leadership is the ability to influence others (Koontz, Heinz & Aryasri 68). The achievement of the organization objectives and goals largely depends on the ability of the managers to influence others towards achieving those goals. My subordinates consider me as fair and a good leader, though at times they criticize my strictness. However, on several occasions, I have been awarded by the organization for my leadership styles which contributes to surpassing the organization targets. Third, good people management style- Koontz et al., (97) argue that good people management is essential to the success of the manager. Managers cannot achieve much on their own. Therefore, managers need to develop a good people management as a way of motivating staff and building a better working relationship. I have overheard some of my subordinate comment how comfortable they feel working around me. Good people management skills have helped me to reduce departmental conflicts I often witness in the other departments. Fourth, knowledge of human resource rules and regulations- understanding of the human resource rules and regulations facilitate to compliance with such rules and regulations, hence minimizing the cost of non-compliance to the organization (Caroline 2). Good understanding of the HR rules and regulations enables me to make concise and well informed human resource decisions and minimizes possible conflicts with employees and labor unions. Fifth, ability to deal with difficult staff- in an organization there is always the possibility of working with staff likely to oppose every decision. The ability of the manager to manage such situations is important to achieving the set targets. Good grasp on how to deal with employees has been quite essential especially when effecting change in the organization. Sixth, strong leadership- according to Koontz et al., (102) strong leadership is essential, especially when at the top level of management. A strong leader is a person who is self-aware, target-driven, relationship-hungry, organization-influenced, neighborhood-linked and globally concerned.
Weaknesses
First, direct when dealing with difficult staff- some of the workmates have often criticized my direct approach when dealing with difficult employees in the organization. This is especially the case when I consider the employee as being difficult for no apparent reason. In such situations I tend to tell the person my mind only to realize later, I could have handled the situation differently. Second, disorganization- sometimes I tend to spend a lot of time trying to locate some files. Without proper organization, I find it quite challenging to respond to certain issues within the shortest time as I would have wanted. Organization is important especially for a person at my position as it facilitates to the efficient running of the organization. Third, too many commitments- I have impressive personal qualities such as integrity and charisma, and I intend to keep every promise I make. However, at times, I over commit myself with so many promises and fail to deliver on some promises. Though, I try as much as I can sometimes employees just corner me to responding to their issues within their timeframe. A manager should not allow being corned by employees to respond to their issues within their timeframe. Fourth, listening- for any leader the ability to listen is essential. Since employees need someone who can listen to their updates and respond to their questions. Though I am a fairly a good listener, at times, I lose focus and concentration. When I lose concentration, I usually disagree with the person. Some colleagues have criticized me for this behavior. This usually happens when I have a lot of work and working under pressure.
Opportunities
Consultancy- Consultancy involves giving professional advice within a specific field. Given the level of my experience and knowledge in my area, I there is an opportunity in the provision of consultancy services. Being a manager has provided me with adequate exposure, skills, and knowledge necessary to succeed in the field of consultancy. There are no many consultancy firms specializing in this area. I, therefore anticipate the demand for the services to be high. Second, study for MBA- enrolling for MBA classes would provide more opportunities for me. Currently am serving in a managerial position, and if I need to advance further in the corporate radar, I need to invest in furthering my education. Since I have the resources, I consider enrolling for MBA as an available opportunity for me. MBA would also provide additional career opportunities not just in my current organization but also for other organizations within the industry. Third, the growth of the industry- the current growth in the industry provides more opportunities for e including changing the employer. Given the level of my experience and skills, it wouldn’t be that difficult to secure a job. While in my current employment, I have been offered several jobs although I declined them since they did not provide me with new challenges. The industry has more opportunities especially after I successfully complete my MBA course. Fourth, strategic network contacts- at my level I have been able to interact with various people of varying background. Some of those people have been quite significant for my career growth as they provide the important strategic contact network. My social network has contributed a lot and often offer good advice which I would say helped to achieve what I have today.
Threats
First, technology advancements- the majority of the organizations are adopting the use of technology, thus reducing the availability of the employment opportunities (Caroline 4). Though, the adoption of technology cannot fully replace human beings, especially at the top management levels. I consider technology as one of the threats as it reduces the available opportunities. Second, colleagues- the colleagues at the lower level of management provide competition for my position. Though I do not consider this as much of a threat, I cannot ignore the possibility of a junior outperforming me due to their aggressiveness and desire for growth. Organization politics may also increase the threat presented by colleagues.
Third, contract-based employment- I am employed on a contract basis and as such my continued employment is subject to contract renewal. There is the possibility of the contract not being renewed, which would mean termination of my services. Fourth, staff training and replacement- it usually takes a lot of time to train my staff. As such a lot of my contract time is spent on training the staff. The amount of time required to train staff presents a challenge in replacing the staff after their departure.
Conclusion
Conducting a personal SWOT analysis enables an individual to better understand themselves and provides necessary information for preparing a career strategy. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct a personal SWOT analysis when developing a career strategy. Conducting a personal SWOT analysis within an individual’s employment provides an insight into a person strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in a career. When conducting a personal SWOT analysis an individual should be as honest as possible to ensure its effectiveness.
Works Cited
Caroline Smith. “Personal SWOT Analysis Making the most of Your Talents and Opportunities.” MindTools.com(2014) : 2-4.
Fine, Lawrence G. The SWOT Analysis: Using Your Strength to Overcome Weaknesses, Using Opportunities to Overcome Threats. Place of publication not identified: Kick It, 2009. Print
Helms, Marilyn M, and Judy Nixon. “Exploring SWOT analysis - where are we now?” Journal of Strategy and Management 3 (2010) : 215-251.
Koontz, Harold, Heinz Weihrich, and A R. Aryasri. Principles of Management. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill, 2004. Print.
Thomas, Mark. Mastering People Management: Essential Skills for Building a Winning Team. London: Thorogood, 2006. Print.
