Personal Development Module

The course is structured as a series of workshops aimed at developing soft skills in the areas of (1) communication and relationship building within an organization and (2) well-being and mental resilience.

Practical sessions are complemented by scientific research findings and discussions on the topics covered.

Sub-Module 1: Communication and relationship building within an organization covers the following themes:

1. Integration

1.1. Building safety within the group

1.2. Basics of group communication

1.3. Team building

2. Networking

2.1. Benefits of building a network

2.2. Key principles of networking

2.3. Network efficiency

3. Intercultural Communication and Relationships

3.1. Challenges and benefits of diversity

3.2. Stereotypes and prejudices: recognizing one’s own cognitive maps

3.3. Exclusion and inclusivity

4. Group Dynamics

4.1. Dynamics of the group process

4.2. Efficiency of group work

5. Communication Tools

5.1. Protecting personal boundaries

5.2. Expressing needs, confronting viewpoints 5.3. Expressing feelings, providing support, building relationships

Sub-Module 2: Well-being and mental resilience covers the following themes:

1. Mindfulness, Well-being, and Stress Reduction

1.1. Introduction

Title: “Mindfulness Unplugged: Start Your Journey to Well-Being”

1.2. Mindfulness in Everyday Life. Mindfulness in Organizational Context

Title: “Mindful Living: Bringing Calm to Chaos”

1.3. Coping with Stress. Mechanisms of Stress and Its Impact on the Body

Title: “Stress Less: Mastering the Science of Calm”

1.4. Mindful Thoughts. Awareness of Ethical Choices in Organizations

Title: “Mindful Thoughts: Conscious Choices in Organizations”

1.5. Mindfulness and Emotions. Emotions in Organizations and New Trends in Management

Title: “Mindful Emotions: Does It Really Mean I Have to Be an Emotional Exhibitionist at Work?”

1.6. Mindfulness in Communication and Relationships

Title: “Speak & Listen: The Art of Mindful Communication”

1.7. Mindfulness and Well-being

Title: “Thrive: Cultivating Well-Being Through Mindfulness”

1.8. Mindful Discussion on Literature, Summary, and Future Plans

Title: “Mindful Reflections: Wrapping Up and Looking Forward”

2. Strengthening Resilience

2.1. Resilience: Definition, Conditions

2.2. Cognitive Techniques for Coping with Stress: Reframing, Principles of Rational Thinking, ABC(D) of Emotions, Pros and Cons of Worrying

3. Time Perspectives and Personal Values

3.1. Time Perspectives - Self-Diagnosis

3.2. The Impact of Time Perspectives on Action

3.3. Working with Time Perspectives

3.4. Personal Values: The Wheel of Values

3.5. History and Values: Team Cooperation and Values

4. Procrastination and Individual Productivity

4.1. Sources of Procrastination

4.2. The Concept of Deep Work

4.3. Motivation and Resources Supporting Productivity

4.4. Healthy Productivity: Good Habits and Self-Compassion

Upon completion of the course, the student:

in terms of skills:

Sub-Module 1: Communication and relationship building within an organization

E_U1a - shares their experiences and reflections regarding the dynamics of the group process (K_U02).

E_U2a - co-creates a contract—along with other participants—that applies throughout the entire workshop series (K_K04).

E_U3a - freely uses vocabulary related to interpersonal communication and relationships during workshop sessions (K_U06).

E_U4a - participates in group tasks proposed by the trainer/academic teacher (K_U07).

E_U5a - adheres to the agreements contained in the contract, thereby recognizing, considering, and respecting the needs of all participants (K_U07).

E_U6a - fosters an atmosphere of safety and collaboration in the group by supporting good communication, assertively expressing their needs, setting their own boundaries, and respecting the boundaries of other workshop participants (K_U07).

E_U7a - recognizes their own stereotypes and biases (K_U07).

E_U8a - records reflections on their emotions, beliefs, decisions, values, interpretations, behaviors, thoughts, experiences, etc., in a journal during the duration of the course (K_U08).

Sub-Module 2: Well-being and mental resilience

E_U1b: tests—together with other participants—various solutions proposed by themselves and the group to check their effectiveness in changing workshop conditions (K_U04)

E_U2b: freely uses vocabulary related to well-being and resilience during workshop sessions (K_U06)

E_U3b: effectively organizes their own work, creating a poster and abstract regarding the role of well-being and self-management in business (K_U07)

E_U4b: participates in group tasks proposed by the trainer/academic teacher (K_U07)

in terms of social competences:

Sub-Module 1: Communication and relationship building within an organization

E_K1a - considers the challenges and benefits associated with diversity in the workplace (K_K01)

E_K2a - recognizes the challenges and opportunities that arise when working with diverse groups (K_K03)

E_K3a - supports other group members by offering help and sharing knowledge, fostering a readiness to build networks and collaboration (K_K04)

Sub-Module 2: Well-being and mental resilience

K_K1b: critically assesses the literature regarding its theses, conclusions, and significance for business practice (K_K01).

K_K2b: relies on knowledge and scientific literature while preparing a final paper on "well-being and resilience" in business (K_K02)

K_K3b: takes on the challenge of creating their own strategy to enhance personal productivity based on healthy habits, self-compassion, and deep work techniques (K_K04)

K_K4b: reflects on personal values: their own and those of fellow participants (K_K05)

K_K5b: seeks the foundations of choices, decisions, and ethical evaluations in personal values (K_K05)

1. Due to the workshop nature of the course, attendance is a key component for passing (a maximum of 2 days of absence is allowed).

2. Students are required to prepare of a paper on personal experiences related to the use of knowledge and skills acquired during the course (self-reflection exercise)

3. Additionally, students are required to prepare a paper on well-being and self-management in a business context, including an analysis of scientific literature and reflections from the workshops.

Instruction for the paper on well-being and self-management in a business context:

This part of the assignment involves reading a book or article in the field of social sciences, based on scientific research and related to the topic of "well-being and resilience." You may choose a work that is not based on scientific research, but you must justify its significance in the context of the discussion on well-being and self-management in a business school.

Students individually prepare a poster and a one-page abstract. The poster should include the main theses, conclusions, and their significance for business practice, as well as personal reflection: What did I gain from this reading?

The posters will be presented and discussed in the final class. Learning outcomes will be assessed through ongoing tasks and the completion of the poster.

Criteria for assessing the poster and abstract:

• 20% - quality and relevance of the chosen literature

• 20% - inclusion of a thesis in the work

• 20% - inclusion of conclusions for business practice

• 20% - personal reflection

• 20% - timeliness and correctness of form

The final grade of the total Personal Development Module is composed of:

• 50% - attendance and participation in classes

• 25% - a written paper on personal experiences related to the use of knowledge and skills acquired during the course.

• 25% - poster and abstract

Final grading scale:

• 0-50% – grade 2

• 51-60% – grade 3

• 61-70% – grade 3.5

• 71-80% – grade 4

• 81-90% – grade 4.5

• 91-100% – grade 5