Personal Development and Transformation

In this chapter we aimed to help you to appreciate the personal qualities that will assist you to become a researching professional with the capacity to have an on-going and enduring impact upon your profession, and to understand some of the approaches that can help facilitate lasting personal transformation.We have discussed how the development of greater intellectual agility will advance your progress towards becoming a researching professional. You need to be able to think beyond the traditional boundaries of your profession and to see your working world through a fresh lens. The qualities that will help you do this are mindfulness, curiosity and imagination.We have also considered how, in order to nurture these qualities, you can create learning spaces for yourself. These are spaces in your life where you are encouraged to think differently, for example by sharing and debating your ideas at conferences or through written papers, and with professionals from other disciplines who might be able to offer you different perspectives.Your ability to receive and act on feedback and constructive criticism is important to your continued development. Similarly, your ability to apply your ideas in a sensitive and empathetic manner, mindful of the effect they may have on others, and your capacity to defend your ideas in an objective manner will influence your potential to contribute to your profession.