Running head: PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Personal Leadership Development Plan

Emily E. Matthews
Touro University Nevada

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Personal Leadership Development Plan

Personal Statement
I always had an affinity to help others, but to work in a profession that helps people live
their life to fullest is more rewarding than I could ever imagine. Not only do I love working with
different patients to help them get back to fully functioning as possible, but also I enjoy giving them
patient centered care that is relevant, meaningful and evidence based. My interest is in hand therapy
because I am fascinated by the beauty and function of the hand and its value to our everyday lives.
What makes the human experience so unique is our ability to create beauty, build, hold, grasp,
communicate and change the world with just our hands. My passion for hand therapy is beyond
what words can describe and I look forward to working towards becoming a CHT and advocating
for the profession.
Mission and/or Vision Statement
To help progress human health by enhancing individuals participation in everyday life
activities through research, evidence-based practice and therapeutic rapport. Also to be a leader in
the hand therapy profession by advocating for my patients and providing research to help promote
the occupational therapy field.
Strengths
My strengths are harmonizer, learner, creative and ambitious. Harmony fits very well with
my personality. I am very balanced and I try to balance groups and situations at all times. I am easy
to get along with and I can appear to be pleasant and cooperative. Also I believe everyone has
unique talents and abilities that can be used to help progress society. Learner is also very consistent
with my personality because I love seeking new information. I enjoy reading and teaching others
ways to do things that help with the advancement of society. I am very creative and I enjoy doing
power points and creating visually appealing spaces to increase interest in areas that might be
lacking the necessary attention. I am ambitious with my goals and usually when I have a plan, I
follow through and reach it.

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Growth Needs
There are many aspects of being a leader I can grow to improve. However, the most needed
improvements for growth are my research abilities, networking, and advocating for my profession. I
have addresses these areas in my leadership goals.
Leadership Model and/or Style Selected
I am a transformational leader because I motivate others to participate in activities that will
help with the promotion of the group. This includes inspiring people to find their identity and using
their skill sets to enhance the groups goals. I execute change by challenging members of the group
to take pride in their work and to follow selected protocols for the betterment of the organization.
Goals
My leadership plan after graduation for years 1, 3,5,10 are outlined below. The goals are
explicitly outlined by date, goals, actions, outcome measure, resources and targeted accomplished
dates.
Date
Established:
One Year-1

Goals:
(SMART)
To stay at a
place of
employment
for a least one
year and
implement a
monthly
volunteer
opportunity for
staff to help
local the
community.

Actions:

Outcome
Measure:
I will be a competent To receive
entry level
good
occupational therapist feedback on
and will do great on
my reviews
my 90 day
at work.
performance review
Also, having
and every
at least two
performance review
people from
thereafter. Also, I will work
find an under
volunteer
serviced area and
monthly at
employ a monthly
an under
volunteer opportunity serviced area
that other employees in Las Vegas.
can join to help with
social justice.

Resources:
NOTA,
AOTA,
Pedretti,
Willard and
Spackmans,
Touro
University OT
professors,
Fieldwork
educators,
Rehab
director, an
occupational
therapy
mentor, and
google to find
volunteer
opportunities
in Las Vegas.

Accomplished
(Target Date)
July 2016

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN

One Year-2

To join NOTA
and run for a
positon.

Attend a NOTA
meeting and join
NOTA. Network with
members to find out
with positions need to
be filled for office.

Three Year1

Become a
leader at my
future
employment
by taking
level I and II
occupational
therapy
students in my
2nd and 3rd year
as an
occupational
therapist. Also
I want to be an
effective and
positive
fieldwork
educator that
teaches my
students
invaluable
skills to be
successful.

I will need to fill out

the appropriate
fieldwork forms and
have the required
amount time
completed to be able
to accept fieldwork
students.

Three Year2

To attend the
AOTF
conference in
South Africa in
2018

Save enough money

for trip, plan time off
to attend the trip, get
proper vaccinations
and have an updated
passport.

Five Year-1

To become a
hand therapist
in 5 years by
working in a
hand therapy

Work in a hand
therapy for 5 years
and 5,000 hours.

Pay dues and

attend
monthly
meetings.
Also run for
an office
position and
win.
To receive
level I and II
fieldwork
students.
Also, to get
ranked as a
very
effective and
productive
fieldwork
educator on
student
evaluations.

NOTA,
AOTA,
mentor, and
other
occupational
therapists.

July 2016

AOTA
website,
mentors,
occupational
therapy
schools and
other
occupational
therapist

July 2017
July 2018

To network
with OTs at
the
conference
and to learn
more about
ATOF
community.
To receive
Certified
Hand
therapist
(CHT)

Dr. Costa and

other
occupational
therapists.

July 2018

Mentor,
hand therapy
association
website,
Indiana

August 2020

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN

clinic.

Five Year-2

To advocate
for the
occupational
therapy
profession at
Capitol Hill
Day in
Washington
D.C in 5 years.

Save money for trip,

request time off from
work, book plane
ticket and lodging
accommodations.
Reach out to Amy
Lamb and ask her if I
can join her team for
Capitol Hill day.
Meet with a local
legislator.

Ten Year-1

To get my
doctorate in
occupational
therapy

Look for programs

that interest me and
apply to top choices.
Ask other individuals
who have a clinical
doctorate on the
process of achieving
their doctorate

Ten Year-2

To open my
own hand
therapy clinic
and construct
pro bono
splints once a

To gain valuable
relationships with
hand surgeons for
referrals, to analyze
the market and find
the best place to have

license.

Protocol,
Rehabilitation
for the Upper
Extremity, 3rd
edition, and
other CHTs.

Network
with
politicians
and
law/policy
makers and
educate them
on the
importance
of OT. Leave
informationa
l material
with
law/policy
makers to
educate them
on the value
on OT
services.
Meet 10
minutes with
a lawyer on
Capitol Hill.
Getting
accepted to
an OTD
program and
receiving my
clinical
doctorate for
occupational
therapy.
To address
the need for
hand therapy
in the local
community
by offering

Amy Lamb,
September
Touro
2020
University
Nevada
occupational
therapys
Professors,
NOTA,
AOTA, and
other therapist
interested in
going to
Capitol Hill
day.

AOTA
website,
other
individuals
with doctorate
degrees,
NOTA
members

July 2025

AOTA, BBB,
NOTA, local
hand
surgeons,
other CHTs,
and local

September
2025

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN

month on
the clinic, save
Saturdays from money and create a
9-12 pm.
business plan so
banks will loan
money to help fund
the business. Create a
marketing plan and
hire the best talent to
help run the business.

affordable
cash
payment
treatments
and helping
individuals
who cannot
afford a
splint a free
one with my
donated time
and
materials.

6
bank.