MBA FPX 5910 Assessment 5 Reflection and Goal Setting 

Introduction 

Personal and professional development are key goals for me. Completing this MBA has significantly helped me grow as a business leader in my organization and the industry. This assessment reflects on the skills I acquired through teaching and coaching during this journey and how these skills strengthened my professional determination.

Furthermore, this paper explores how I applied these new skills to my capstone project, which showcased the outcomes of the MBA program. Additionally, I will discuss how these leadership skills helped implement the recommended actions in the capstone project. Finally, I will outline a strategic plan to achieve three of my personal and professional goals for future growth. This discussion concludes with a summary of how this program has prepared me to guide and mentor others in reaching their objectives. 

Reflection 

The MBA program has allowed me to grow personally and professionally. On a personal level, it strengthened my confidence in my ability to solve problems logically, whether in daily life or within my industry. This includes conducting personal SWOT analyses and creating effective risk management plans. The coaching experience with BetterUp was crucial in uncovering my hidden skills and strengths through focused questions and analyses. These insights have been invaluable, highlighting areas for further development in my growth objectives.

My work on the capstone project provided practical experience in problem-solving within Tesla, Inc. I aimed to evaluate whether Tesla could thrive in the electric vehicle (EV) sector without selling automobiles. This effort helped me improve my research skills and professional writing abilities. Two aspects I found particularly beneficial in the capstone project were developing an annotated outline, which I hadn’t done in years but felt was essential, and planning business strategies.

The knowledge gained from various analytical tools, such as VRIO, PESTEL, and Porter’s Five Forces, will help me in my current role. Additionally, I have already applied some Six Sigma skills through process analysis. The project showcased my education by applying these skills throughout the program’s outcomes.

MBA FPX 5910 Assessments 5 Reflection and Goal Setting 

The leadership traits I used to complete the capstone project came from the BetterUp assessment. Key qualities highlighted in the assessment include a sense of control, relationship building, participation, open communication, and problem-solving (BetterUp, 2019). My ability to establish control and build relationships enabled collaboration among teams at Tesla, Inc., facilitating effective teamwork across departments. Problem-solving, a highly sought-after skill, allowed me to resolve issues quickly by collecting data and determining the best course of action (BetterUp, 2019).

The integration of these skills helped me analyze data, formulate solutions, and communicate these resolutions effectively to stakeholders through the recommendations in the capstone project. Reflecting on how these skills and leadership traits demonstrated the outcomes of the MBA program, I found that my foundational knowledge of business systems, processes, and technology was evident in my use of various processes and analytical techniques like PESTEL and Porter’s Five Forces. Additionally, I connected information across disciplines and perspectives by evaluating financial reports, production deliveries, and global performance to assess the company’s viability without the EV sector.

My critical and analytical thinking emerged in providing evidence-based solutions to business challenges by analyzing current issues, numerical data, and surveys to offer solutions involving all relevant stakeholders. I also demonstrated innovative and sustainable business practices by identifying various innovations developed by Tesla across their product lines and market sectors. I assessed how the organization collaborates internally to address issues and took into account different government and cultural factors to improve its standing. Finally, I evaluated the integration of ethical principles in business decisions by reviewing the company’s decision-making processes and its historical performance regarding ethical issues. 

Applying My Strengths 

In the capstone project, I proposed two main recommendations: Tesla, Inc. needs to reduce its losses in the EV market and recover from challenges. To survive without selling electric vehicles, Tesla must enhance its individual product lines to market subassemblies of the EV separately. Implementing these recommendations requires leveraging my strengths in several ways. Reducing losses requires uniting teams to foster camaraderie. This can be achieved through open communication and relationship building.

As a leader, I can inspire my team to work together effectively. Managers who can motivate their teams and align actions with the organization’s strategy are rare (Kunnanatt, 2016). Encouraging teamwork requires a sense of control and problem-solving skills. Successful leaders create conditions that let team members reach their full potential (Kunnanatt, 2016). Empowering team members to solve problems together promotes open communication and participation.

MBA FPX 5910 Assessments 5 Reflection and Goal Setting 

My leadership skills will guide the diversification of individual product lines, repeated for each representative team. After reflecting on the BetterUp assessment, I have no new recommendations for Tesla, Inc. solutions. However, I have identified three strengths I wish to develop over the next six months: emotional regulation, encouraging ownership, and motivation. Strengthening my emotional regulation will help me stay composed during meetings and design sessions, especially in high-pressure situations.

Additionally, fostering a culture of ownership will empower others to make decisions and control their workflows. Lastly, improving my motivational skills is essential; I often find myself instructing rather than inspiring passion for tasks or projects. Developing these three strengths, along with my existing skills from the BetterUp assessment, will make me an effective leader and help me implement my solutions for Tesla, Inc. My problem-solving abilities and open communication will aid in proposing and implementing new solutions as challenges arise.

 Future Goals Moving Forward

I have outlined three distinct personal and professional goals that I aspire to achieve. This MBA program and the BetterUp assessment have positioned me well to realize these objectives. Personally, I aim to obtain my PhD before I turn 50. Professionally, I wish to become the Vice President of Operations at my current employer and be recognized as a subject matter expert (SME) in leadership and project management within my industry. This program has provided me with the skills and knowledge necessary for research and applying real-world solutions to actual problems.

By maintaining a strong commitment to growth, I can use my acquired skills—such as risk management, finance, and problem-solving—alongside my natural traits identified in the BetterUp assessment to develop and implement a strategic plan. This plan will offer a roadmap for achieving my goals. After progressing through the MBA program, I am ready to enroll in a doctoral program of my choice to pursue my PhD. I hope to complete this in about two years, using the program outline to track my progress and address any obstacles.

I believe that ongoing education and leadership opportunities will equip me with the tools and recognition to secure a promotion to Vice President of Operations or Chief Operating Officer (COO) within my company. As the current Director of Operations, this transition is realistic. Achieving my PhD in leadership and project management will also position me as an SME, enabling me to share the knowledge I have gained and help others develop their skills. To meet these goals, I will use resources such as tuition reimbursement and student loans to finance my PhD studies. Once I achieve the Vice President or COO position, I expect my salary will be enough to cover the loans.

I plan to evaluate my progress at the end of each semester through grades and at the end of each year regarding my promotion. Since my professional goals hinge on obtaining my PhD, completing this within two years is crucial for the subsequent objectives. Once I achieve these three goals, I will set additional objectives to ensure ongoing personal and professional growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this MBA program and capstone project have helped me integrate leadership skills and business methods into practical problem-solving. The chance to reflect on lessons learned throughout the program and the project equipped me with valuable research and analytical tools needed to reach my personal goal of earning a PhD.

Additionally, the project gave me an opportunity to apply my strengths to solve a real-world issue for a Fortune 500 company, allowing me to refine my leadership skills in preparation for my future role as COO. Ultimately, this strategic plan provides the means and direction to achieve my objectives of earning a PhD, becoming a COO, and establishing myself as an SME in my industry. While this plan lays out the roadmap, my determination will drive me toward success. Consistency and perseverance will help me reach my goals. 

MBA FPX 5910 Assessment 5 Reflection and Goal Setting 

Kunnanatt, J. T. (2016). 3D leadership-strategy-linked leadership framework for managing teams. Economics, Management and Financial Markets, 11(3), 30.