Developing Leadership Skills

The Occupational Therapy Toolset, My Better World: Better Me Project proved as an opportunity to home my leadership skills.

Flexibility

The primary goals of my Better Me: Better World Project were to improve my physical health, expand my occupational therapy knowledge through evidence-based research, strengthen emotional intelligence, uphold ethical standards, and use personal growth to serve others. These goals were intentionally interconnected, recognizing that professional effectiveness in occupational therapy begins with practitioner well-being.

While the original goals remained largely consistent, they evolved in scope and depth over time. Initially, the physical health goal focused on weight loss and exercise adherence; however, it expanded to include greater self-awareness, stress management, and sustainability. Similarly, the intellectual goal of compiling evidence-based interventions shifted from simply gathering research to prioritizing usability, clarity, and real-world clinical application for both myself and my colleagues. The service component also grew beyond client impact to include peer support, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing within the workplace.

Time Management and Meeting Milestones

Several significant milestones marked progress throughout my 18-week timeline:

• Establishing and maintaining a consistent fitness routine, including strength training, HIIT workouts, and recreational hiking

• Achieving measurable improvements in physical endurance, strength, and overall health habits

• Researching and compiling a collection of evidence-based occupational therapy interventions with accompanying documentation examples

• Improving efficiency and confidence in clinical documentation through repeated practice

• Completing an emotional intelligence text and actively applying concepts to patient interactions and professional communication

• Revisiting and refining my personal philosophy of practice to ensure alignment with ethical standards

• Organizing all research materials into a user-friendly format and sharing them with colleagues

Each milestone reinforced the connection between personal discipline, professional growth, and service to others.

Communication

I improved my communication skills throughout the duration of this project. I discussed interventions with my colleagues to identify which activities would be most beneficial to them or if there were any areas they would appreciate more knowledge in.

Identifying Skill Development

I utilized the Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis to track skill growth. I completed the SWOT before starting my project to identify the components and anticipate protentional challenges. I also completed the SWOT after completing the Better Me: Better World Project as an overall reflection on my project.

Conclusion

The use of structured reflective and analytical frameworks is essential for meaningful personal and professional growth. It supports self-awareness, leadership development, and continuous learning. I was able to identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential obstacles which allowed me to be proactive and successful in executing my project.