MBA FPX 5910 Assessments 5 Reflection and Goal Setting

MBA FPX 5910 Assessments 5 Reflection and Goal Setting

Name

Capella university

MBA-FPX5910 MBA Capstone Experience

Prof. Name

Date

Introduction

Personal and professional development are at the forefront of my personal objectives. Completing this MBA journey has significantly contributed to my growth as a business leader within my organization and the industry. This assessment reflects on the skills I have acquired through teaching and coaching during this journey and how these skills have bolstered my professional determination. Furthermore, this paper will explore how I applied these newly acquired skills to my capstone project, which served as a demonstration of the outcomes of the MBA program. Additionally, I will discuss how these leadership skills facilitated the implementation of recommended actions in the capstone project. Finally, a strategic plan will be outlined to achieve three of my personal and professional goals for future growth. This discussion will conclude with a summary of how this program has equipped me to guide and mentor others in achieving their objectives.

Reflection

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

My experience with the capstone project provided a practical application of problem-solving within my chosen organization, Tesla, Inc. I aimed to evaluate whether Tesla could thrive in the electric vehicle (EV) sector without selling automobiles. This endeavor allowed me to refine my research skills and enhance my professional writing capabilities. Two aspects that I found particularly beneficial in the capstone project were developing an annotated outline, a task I hadn’t undertaken in years but deemed essential in my field, and planning business strategies. The knowledge gained from various analytical tools, such as VRIO, PESTEL, and Porter’s Five Forces, will be beneficial in my current role. Additionally, I have already applied some Six Sigma skills through process analysis. The project also provided a platform to showcase my education by applying these skills across the program’s outcomes.

MBA FPX 5910 Assessments 5 Reflection and Goal Setting

The leadership traits I utilized to complete the capstone project were derived from the BetterUp assessment. Key leadership qualities highlighted in the assessment include a sense of control, relationship building, participation, open communication, and problem-solving (BetterUp, 2019). The ability to establish a sense of control and foster relationships enabled collaboration among cross-functional teams at Tesla, Inc., facilitating effective teamwork across departmental and divisional boundaries. Problem-solving, one of the most sought-after leadership skills, empowered me to resolve issues quickly and strategically by collecting data and determining the best course of action (BetterUp, 2019). The integration of these skills enabled me to analyze data, determine solutions, and communicate these resolutions effectively and professionally to stakeholders through the recommendations in the capstone project.

Reflecting on how these skills and leadership traits helped demonstrate the MBA program’s outcomes, I found that foundational knowledge and understanding of business systems, processes, and technology were evidenced by utilizing various processes and analytical techniques such as PESTEL and Porter’s Five Forces. Furthermore, I integrated 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 was showcased in providing evidence-based solutions to business challenges and opportunities by analyzing current issues, numerical data, and surveys to propose solutions involving all relevant stakeholders and functional departments. Additionally, I demonstrated innovative, strategic, and sustainable business practices by identifying various innovations and approaches developed by Tesla across their product lines and market sectors. I assessed how the organization collaborates internally to address issues and considered different government and cultural factors to improve its standing. Finally, I evaluated the integration of ethical principles and integrity in business decisions by reviewing the company’s decision-making processes and its historical performance concerning ethical issues.

Applying My Strengths

In the capstone project, I proposed two primary recommendations: Tesla, Inc. needs to mitigate 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. Mitigating losses necessitates uniting cross-functional teams to foster a sense of camaraderie.

This can be achieved through open communication, relationship building, and active participation. As a leader, I can inspire my team to collaborate effectively. Managers who can motivate their teams and align actions with the organization’s strategic environment are rare (Kunnanatt, 2016). Facilitating teamwork requires a sense of control and problem-solving abilities. Successful leaders cultivate conditions that enable team members to unleash their full potential (Kunnanatt, 2016). Empowering team members to solve problems collaboratively fosters open communication and participation across the board.

MBA FPX 5910 Assessments 5 Reflection and Goal Setting

My leadership skills will similarly guide the diversification of individual product lines, albeit 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 maintain composure 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, enhancing my motivational skills is essential; I often find myself instructing rather than inspiring passion for tasks or projects. Developing these three strengths, alongside my existing skills from the BetterUp assessment (sense of control, relationship building, participation, open communication, problem-solving), will enable me to be an effective leader and allow me to leverage my strengths in implementing the proposed solutions for Tesla, Inc. My problem-solving abilities and open communication will also facilitate the recommendation and implementation of 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 turning 50. Professionally, I aspire to become the Vice President of Operations at my current employer and gain recognition 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 the application of real-world solutions to actual problems. By embracing a “never say die” mentality and a commitment to continual growth, I can utilize the skills I have acquired—such as risk management, finance, and problem-solving—alongside my innate traits identified in the BetterUp assessment to develop and implement a strategic plan. This plan will provide a detailed roadmap for achieving my goals.

Having progressed through the MBA program, I am now prepared to enroll in a doctoral program of my choice to pursue my PhD. I aim to complete this in about two years, utilizing the program outline to monitor my progress and address any potential obstacles. I hope that continued education and leadership opportunities will equip me with the necessary 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 not overly ambitious. Achieving my PhD in leadership and project management will also credential me as an SME, enabling me to impart the knowledge I have gained and help others develop their skills.

To meet these goals, I will rely on available resources such as tuition reimbursement and student loans to finance my PhD studies. Once I attain the Vice President or COO position, I anticipate my salary will suffice to cover the loans. I will evaluate my progress at the end of each semester through grades and at the end of each year concerning my promotion. Given that my professional goals hinge on obtaining my PhD, achieving this within a two-year timeframe is crucial for the subsequent objectives to fall into place. Upon meeting 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 enabled me to integrate leadership skills and business methodologies into a practical problem-solving experience. The opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned throughout the program and the project equipped me with valuable research and analytical tools necessary for achieving my personal goal of obtaining a PhD.

Additionally, the project provided a platform to apply my strengths to resolve 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 offers the means and direction to achieve my objectives of earning a PhD, becoming a COO, and establishing myself as an SME in my current industry. While this plan lays out the roadmap, my internal drive will serve as the engine propelling me toward success. Consistency and perseverance will enable me to reach the pinnacle of my achievements.

References

BetterUp Assessment. (2019). Retrieved January 15, 2019, from https://app.betterup.co/assessments/226959?locale=en

Barcom, G. (2019). Capstone project summary, PM-FPX5910 Asst 1 Capstone Project Summary. Capella University.

MBA FPX 5910 Assessments 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.