Tiffany C.

Meskimen
November 14, 2021
OGL482
Dr. Brent Scholar
Research Process and
Methods
§ What data was selected and why?
§ The majority of data sources were selected based on
assignment instructions, including:
§ Yellowdig Responses
§ Kuder Assessments
§ Holland Personality Traits – to coordinate and
compliment Kuder assessment findings
§ Three additional assessments
§ Book Project
§ Outside data sources were selected based on the
personal and professional characteristics and skills
highlighted from documents written throughout my
educational and professional career.
§ Discussion board posts and other documents
showcased true feelings and evaluations about my
leadership skills and personal growth throughout the
Organizational Leadership journey.
§ Video – ”I’m a Superhero” was selected as it was
made at a point in my life where I changed careers.
I left a job that I absolutely loved but had no room
for growth. This video sums up why I needed to put
on a brave face and persevere once again.
Research Process and
Methods – cont’d
What process was used to review and code the data?
§ First review (read) of data sources, I highlighted phrases and/or words which stood out as important values or
points in my life.
§ Upon the second review, I skimmed through each document
§ Reviewed each highlighted word/phrase
§ Crossed out any from the previous review I thought were descriptive words rather than qualitative value words
§ Transferred remaining highlighted words and phrases to post-it notes
§ Began grouping based on similar values

§ The third review began after stepping away from the data for a day
§ Regrouped post-its into ten columns based on similar values
§ Titled each column based on the theme of the value
§ Formed sentences for each theme describing the importance and impact of the theme in my life
Research Process and
Methods – cont’d
What were some challenges?
§ Distinguishing the importance of simple descriptive words and words that held true
meaning to my life.
§ Understanding how to grasp negative connotations in the coding process and finding
a way to add them into the analysis as areas of opportunity.
§ Coming to terms with finding faults in the scheme of things.
§ Bringing all data together to create an overarching theme without being cliché’.
§ Trying to find extraordinary themes out of ordinary content.
This section lists the data sources that were used and why they were selected
for analysis.
Below are the data sources used to analyze and create the following themes.
§ Kuder Career Interests Assessment (KCI) The Career Interests Assessment rates what you like to do. High
interest areas are matched with careers the participant may enjoy. The participant rates activities based on a scale
of strongly dislike to strongly like and scored. Profile results are assessed and assigns a profile based on the
Holland personality codes: Realistic, Artistic, Enterprising, Investigative, Social, and Conventional.
§ Kuder Skills Confidence Assessment (KSC) The Skills Confidence Assessment rates the confidence level one
has conducting activities. High skilled areas are matched with careers the participant may enjoy. The participant
rates activities based on a scale of strongly dislike to strongly like and scored. Profile results are assessed and
assigns a profile based on the Holland personality codes: Realistic, Artistic, Enterprising, Investigative, Social, and
Conventional.
§ Super’s Work Values Inventory (SWV) The Work Values Inventory ranks the importance of values and matches
the profile assessed to assign a profile based on the Holland personality codes: Realistic, Artistic, Enterprising,
Investigative, Social, and Conventional.
§ Career Anchors Assessment (CAA) An assessment which prioritizes factors in work life. The participant assigns
a score of importance to different phrases Ratings are transferred and calculated on a scoring sheet with eight
career anchors: Security, Autonomy, Technical Competence, Managerial Competence, Entrepreneurial Creativity,
Sense of Service, Pure Challenge, and Life-Style Integration
§ Holland Personality Traits – RIASEC (HPT) This list of six traits coincides with the Kuder assessments. The traits or types help students
understand what skills they are best at, and more importantly, which skills they are comfortable performing. The personality types are matched
to different career and educational choices in Kuder’s assessments. Personality types include: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social,
Enterprising, and Conventional.
§ Finding Tiffany Meskimen - A Self-Assessment Realization and Analysis (SRA) A personal review and reflection of the Kuder and career
anchor assessments.
§ Finding Peacefulness – An Inspirational Book Project (IBP) This paper was a review of an inspirational book and the effects it has had on
my life. Through this reading, I would come to learn what I was missing to live wholeheartedly, which eventually will bring peacefulness to my
spirit and life.
§ Yellowdig – Introductions (YIT) This OGL 482 Yellowdig discussion was an introduction of me and my educational journey to other members
of the class, many of whom I have shared the journey with.
§ Yellowdig – Three Questions (YTQ) These OGL 482 Yellowdig discussion conversations revolve around three questions: What gives me joy;
What am I good at; What does the world need me to do. These questions provided an opportunity to review and wrap-up assessment data, and
other personal reflections.
§ Yellowdig - Celebrating Teams (YCT) These OGL 482 Yellowdig discussion conversations gave students an opportunity to share and learn
about different experiences celebrating employees in a diverse workplace. This was also a good learning experience to find other techniques of
motivation through celebration.
§ My 12 Week Plan: A Journey Toward Leadership Excellence (JTL) This OGL 360: Assessment of Leadership Effectiveness assignment
serves as a continuing reminder of how to use certain values to be a better leader. Throughout the course I read The Leadership Challenge
(Kouzes & Posner, 2017) where I would learn about different ways to make extraordinary things happen in leadership roles and reflected on how
I could put those lessons into effect in my life. The books 12 hints and tips include: Find Your Purpose, Learning is Doing, Model the Way, Be the
First to Trust, Inspire and Create Vision, Look to Help Others, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, Demonstrate Ubuntu, Strengthen
Others, Encourage the Heart, and Celebrate.
§ Learning Style Inventory (LSI) This survey helps participants find the way they deal with ideas and situations. It also helps to understand the
best way they learn from their dealings. Participants assign a value within a group of words, which generates a score for each column: Concrete
Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract Conceptualization, and Active Experimentation.
§ Work Style Pattern Inventory (WSP) This assessment helps the participant find preferred and actual work style preferences. The profile
findings give the participant information on contributions to the work environment. The assessment creates an orientation profile which labels
the participant as one or more of the following: Worker, Supervisor, Manager, or Adapting.
§ Arizona State University Me3 Assessment (Me2) This assessment is generally taken by high school students and college freshman to gain
perspective on possible educational tracts. Included is the Me3 assessment taken at the beginning of my educational journey.
§ Personal Cover Letter (PCL) This cover letter is attached to my resume when applying for jobs. It compliments my resume by combining
personal and professional information which enhance my leadership skills.
§ Professional Reference Letter (PRL) This reference letter was written by my mentor. Kim taught me to recognize my abilities and embrace my
skills. She also taught me to hold myself accountable and learn from mistakes and failures. She has been my biggest cheerleader and trusted
confidant. The reference letter reminds me of who I am and when I veer off course, it navigates me back there.
§ TiffanyMeskimen.weebly.com (TMW) This assignment from EDT 321: Computer Literacy & Mobile Technology is a different website (from the
ePortfolios) I have created. The course requirement was to create a website to market something I was passionate about or good at doing. I
chose resumé writing. This website includes important information about me and my career. There are several elements that highlight skills and
values in my life.
§ Reading Essay – OGL 343 (343) This reading essay was a review of my thoughts on team dynamics. It offers a look at how I value the
acceptance and respect of team members and what role I play in my own team.
§ Theme Statement
Friends are family and family are friends (dogs too), I consider all one in
the same - Family.
My family is the center of my universe and from this time forward, I insist
on having a career which allows great flexibility for time to enjoy life with
them.
§ Supporting Data
1. I find much joy in other values we cultivated in our home. (IBP)
2. I have found a healthy balance between work, school, and family/fun.
(SRA)
3. I love and thank my family and friends for helping me through it all!
(YTQ)
4. I am a wife, mom, and lover of life. (TMW)
5. I love life. I surround myself with the people I love, who make me
laugh, and who encourage me all the time. (TMW)
6. I share a lot of pride with my friends and close family members. (LSI)
§ Contradictory Evidence
§ Throughout my career, there was one time my family was affected by my career
choices, and I immediately made the change. I took a step down and found a job
which would eventually become my most favorite position. From that time on, I
have made a point to ensure my family comes first. If at any time I feel that
relationship is being neglected, I pause my professional life. I did not include this
particular event/job throughout my OGL journey, so there is not any reflection or
data I could have used for analysis.

§ Reflection
§ Throughout my time as a wife and parent, I have made many sacrifices. I would
not change any of those for the world. I have been fortunate to have an amazing
man by my side for 33 years. He sat beside me, reading the Enquirer and watching
Dr. Phil while they pumped one poison into my veins to kill another. He is an
amazing father, friend, and partner who has helped me to raise two beautiful, kind,
compassionate, and loving souls. Those two emulate love and respect to people
they contact. We have a happy, fun, respectful life in our four walls and our fortune
has spread to bring more people into our lives who we call family. We have always
valued the art of dancing in the rain, singing (poorly) to some great music, and
laughter is the ultimate medicine in our home (IBP).
§ Theme Statement
I flourish in an environment where close personal relationships are created through an
emotional connection and feel this helps build a strong team dynamic.
§ Supporting Data
§ Remember the friendships you have made over the course of your career. Emotion has
driven you to make the connections you have. From having babies at the same time, losing
loved ones, a simple memory of one day at work, or a big event…you helped to shape those
relationships by being a caring, compassionate and loving friend. (JTL)
§ Her ability to work with people by creating demand and instilling high expectations, while
supporting each employee individually and providing hope. (PRL)
§ We started our jobs in a very emotional state and that brought us together. (JTL)
§ Emotional competence includes the capacity to remain energized and proactive, without
excessive anxiety or guilt, during periods of high stress, emotional and interpersonal crises
(CAA)
§ I thrive on an extroverted lifestyle, I crave people, I crave conversation and connection. (IBP)
§ Contradictory Evidence
§ While feminist approaches are more likely to operate and address issues with an empathetic,
leaders should be careful to not let emotion and personal interests get in the way of their
decisions. This has been a major working point for me. I tend to lead by heart, with a high
emotional intelligence factor. I have really had to work through this and take a less emotional
road when reacting. (SRA)
§ Reflection
§ Leading with an emotional connection and having compassion not only for people’s feelings,
but recognizing they need compassion to build their confidence has helped me gain the trust
and loyalty of supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates alike. I love to have that connection
with people, it brings a peace to my heart and fills that emotional bucket. While emotions can
get in the way of decisions, I feel I have a good idea of how to recognize when I am acting on
emotion and not focusing on the issue at hand. There are times when leaders have to go into
an issue with a business first attitude, while it can be difficult, the emotional connection can
help by ensuring the feedback is coming from the heart.
§ Theme Statement
I relish in the opportunity to reflect on situations. As a team
member I expect not only to be heard, but to to receive
feedback for my work and adjust accordingly.

§ Supporting Data
§ The assignment was meant to come at a time in my life
where I would need to evaluate and reflect on my own
authenticity, resilience, and self-care. (IBP)
§ Creating and completing a self-assessment is also a
freeing experience that allows reflection of who I am, what I
am good at, and more importantly what I enjoy doing.
(SRA)
§ Know what is going on, own it, and then move on from
there. If you cannot see there is a problem, you won’t know
how to address it. (JTL)
§ I was happy to be able to interact with my co-mentor team
and grateful for their insight and feedback. (JTL)
§ I will review and compare how my own interests, skills and
values have changed over the years and how those
changes have navigated the choices I have made. (SRA)
§ Contradictory Evidence
§ The difficulty in self-assessment can be finding out that I
may like doing something or find value in it, but I am not
skilled at it, when I believed I was. Or finding that I may be
skilled at something I have no desire to do, yet others call
upon me to do it. (SRA)
§ I like to know what I am doing wrong so I can adjust. But
there have been others who choose to see this
(reflection/evaluation) as a personal attack, and when that
has happened, there was little change after. (JTL)

§ Reflection
§ Self-assessment, reflection, evaluation, thinking back –
however you want to label it, reflecting on actions is
necessary to identify how situations were handled. But
more importantly, doing something with that information is
how we grow and encourage growth in others. One of the
many lessons I have taught my children is to fail forward.
Meaning, it is okay to fail at things, just do not keep making
the same mistakes.
§ Theme Statement
I am more confident when I feel I am a valued and integral part of a team.
§ Supporting Data
§ Parents, students, and staff continue to speak highly of her and miss her dearly. (PRL)
§ Five years ago, I would have scored higher. I was comfortable in my position and was highly
recognized within my team. (343)
§ I become effective, while staying true to myself, yet letting others know my identity and how to best
harness my talents. (SRA)
§ Enjoy moving across organizational lines in a a networking capacity. (WSP)
§ The key motivations for people anchored in managerial competence are advancement up the
corporate ladder to higher levels of responsibility, growing opportunities to serve in a position of
leadership, increasing contribution to the overall success of the organization. (CAA)
§ Contradictory Evidence
Being new to my team at work, I see there is a large degree of group entitativity with a a common
bond among my team, they have all worked together in this organization as well as others, so I think
I am not quite at 100% identity yet. (343)
The exhaustion comes from the lessons about self-love we taught our kids…it does not matter what
others think. However, secretly, somewhere along the way, I know I have let the opinions of others
become a thing. (IBP)
§ Reflection
§ I know that I have the skill to perform my job, or just about any job like it. I am completely
competent and confident in my skill level. But when I enter a new position, I notice my confidence
level drops if I lack the knowledge of the industry I have moved to. For example, When I left my job
in K-12, where I had the knowledge of the culture, organizational makeup, and policy and
procedures mastered, and entered post-secondary education, it took awhile for me to find comfort
and confidence in my day-to-day duties. I found that as I became a more integral part of the team,
was given more responsibility, and understood the workings and culture, I began to find more
confidence in feeling accepted.
§ Theme Statement
It is necessary for me to be a part of a work environment that
celebrates employees and their accomplishments, but mostly
just celebrates for the fun of it.
§ Supporting Data
§ This is quite honestly my favorite part of leadership. Finding
ways to celebrate those I work with or lead, has been a
strong point in my career. (YCT)
§ Our annual Christmas breakfast was always the most fun
day of the year. (JTL)
§ An important milestone to celebrate. (YIT)
§ I learned that by celebrating everyone and their individual
accomplishments, I gained trust and became an important
part of the campus. (YCT)
§ In fact, laughter is my outlet of choice, in any condition.
Mistakes – laugh at them; heartache – laugh while you are
or until you stop crying; CANCER – Laugh in its face! (IBP)
§ Contradictory Evidence
§ Shame also can happen when we are cultivating a place in
our hearts of resilience, gratitude and joy, and intuition.
(IBP)
§ Reflection
§ I love to celebrate. My husband and I built an area in our
home specifically to gather, host friends and family, and
celebrate. There does not need to be a reason. After
beating cancer, I have a specific attitude that allows me to
just celebrate being alive.
§ As a leader, I think it is important for people to know that is
a part of who I am. It lets people know I am grateful for them
and what they do for me.
§ Theme Statement
In a world where you can be anything, be kind!
§ Supporting Data
§ People naturally want to follow someone who is humble and
kind. (JTL)
§ I was patient, kind, and nurturing to each of them when I
taught those lessons. (JTL)
§ My hopefulness comes from the desire to be real, be kind,
and live that way in everything I do. The exhaustion comes
from the lessons about kindness and self-love we taught our
kids…it does not matter what others think. (IBP)
§ She is a kind and courageous leader (PRL)
§ She has a kind, caring, demeanor yet is able to
communicate her expectations and needs in a distinguished
manner. (PRL)
§ Contradictory Evidence
§ Not living and loving with a whole heart has affected how I
perceive others, and how my actions toward them are not a
true representation of my best self. (IBP)
§ Reflection
§ Kindness spreads, as does its opposite. In these last few
courses, my pro-seminars specifically, I have had much
reflection on how I used to spread kindness. I realize
somewhere along the way I have become a little bitter and a
little less kind, and that behavior has spread to some of my
relationships. Luckily, this behavior has not affected my
professional life, but it has had impacted the imbalance in
my life. I think I am ready to choose kindness, it feels so
much better, and reflecting, I can see a time when I felt
happier.
§ Theme Statement
I want an opportunity to encourage and motivate people through thoughtful and authentic
interactions that allow others not only to HEAR what I am offering, but to DO something with
the information, and I need the same from leaders in my life.
§ Supporting Data
§ Letting people know and believe that they have helped, that they make a difference fosters a
better relationship and working environment. (JTL)
§ Empowerment is powerful. (JTL)
§ Encouraging their continued growth through a wholehearted life (IBP)
§ I love and thank my family and friends for helping me through it all. (YTQ)
§ It is my goal to combined this with experience to make you the most desirable candidate
(TMW)
§ Contradictory Evidence
§ Encouragement through thoughtful feedback is easier to swallow for most people, but be
careful on the delivery, as that can cause the receiver to take a negative connotation. (JTL)
§ I notice that when I have “nagged” my children to death, they likely won’t show any
motivation...and I get tired and stop. (JTL)
§ Reflection
§ Motivation and encouragement are necessary for me to give and also to receive. It is human
nature that “lack support or resources, you naturally show little commitment to excel”
(Kouzes & Posner, 2017, p. 223). I noticed that for the first couple of months during COVID,
when we were sent to work from home, I became less and less motivated. I had just started
my position, and I was unsure of the role I was to play, did not know all our partners, and
quite frankly, my entire team was thrown into a storm of COVID craziness, and I barely spoke
to anyone. It was not until our team was handed a very important assignment and we met to
discuss, when my role became clear, and I was given a role that came with a lot of
responsibility. My entire team encouraged and showed faith in my abilities to produce
something that no one else had thought of. At that point, I found my place, I got my groove
back.
Theme 8: Inspiration
§ Theme Statement
§ I desire to find a work environment where I can share my experience and experiences to inspire and
educate others, but also to find inspiration within others to continue to learn and grow.
§ Supporting Data
§ You can tell when you have made a difference, when you have shared experience and/or experiences
(i.e.: life’s lessons) and you can identify where they have been emulated through the behaviors and
actions of others. It’s a fantastic feeling! (JTL)
§ It has not ever been my intention to tell my story for the purpose of gaining sympathy, but to help others,
to inspire others through their trials and tribulations. (IBP)
§ Solves problems through empathy, helping others to succeed, and seeking mutuality. (KSC, &KCI)
§ Inspiration and education through sharing experiences/story telling and relating to life's trials and
tribulations. (YTQ)
§ Sometimes it takes many different people with many different talents, skills, and knowledge to come
together and inspire each other. In this sense, inspiration is leadership, and therefore, we see leaders in
each team-member. (JTL)
§ When you have the chance, get out and enjoy the beauty around you...you will be inspired. (TMW)
Theme 8: Inspiration – Cont’d
§ Contradictory Evidence
§ I remembered Jenney’s recommendation and thought this might fit in, and although I thought this book
would just be another self-help-assess-your-actions-move-on-with-it read, maybe I would get some
motivation and inspiration. A revelation after reading this book led me to understand I was in dark point
of life when she had originally asked the question. I was “unintentionally dulling my experiences of good
feelings, like joy” (Brown, 2010, p. 72). Jenney’s attempt at showing me the light and compassion was
overshadowed by my own shame. (IBP)
§ Reflection
§ Being inspirational is important to me, but I know simply wanting to BE inspirational is not necessarily
how you inspire others. You have to model the way, show respect for others, meet people where they
are at, be vulnerable…those things inspire others to be real and embrace being real no matter how scary
it seems. “You have to freely, and honestly, choose those principles you will use to guide your decisions
and actions.” (Kouzes & Posner, 2017, pg. 48) I have learned that by being open, showing others I am
just like them, I have my own demons to fight, whatever they might be, I get just a little closer to people
in my life.
§ Theme Statement
I find I am most joyful, balanced, and wholehearted
when my life is peaceful.
§ Supporting Data
§ What really brings me great joy is peacefulness.
(YTQ)
§ Grasping imperfections and running with them to
be truly peaceful. (IBP)
§ Less agitation, less stress, and less anxiety equal
peacefulness and perseverance. (IBP)
§ I care more about people, the environment,
peace, and other critical issues than I do about
promotions and success. (CAA)
§ I have emerged a better wife, mother, sister,
daughter, friend, and leader each time I have
peacefulness in my life. (IBP)
§ Contradictory Evidence
§ A revelation after reading this book led me to understand
I was in dark point of life when she had originally asked
the question. I was “unintentionally dulling my
experiences of good feelings, like joy” (Brown, 2010, p.
72). (IBP)
§ I must note here that my life has been less than peaceful
in the last six months. There are external issues I have
no control over, and there are some internal issues I have
not dealt with affecting my life. (IBP)

§ Reflection
§ The revelation for this theme to be included came during
one of our discussion boards. The question of what
brings me joy caused me to step back and ponder what
really does bring joy to my life. While things like laughter,
the love of family, and adding play to my life certainly give
me enjoyment, what I found is that I am most joyful when
I have peace in my life. This means clearing the
mechanism, not taking on too much of other people’s
problems, and putting up boundaries that prevent others
from disturbing my peace.
§ Theme Statement
I am not afraid of adversity and will battle head-on when met with it.
§ Supporting Data
§ Cancer is a scary disease, even when you are in remission, but it
doesn’t have to rule your life...for those that have to, FIGHT with all
you are, believe in, and hope for. (YTQ)
§ I just need to implement these practices in all my life to find
peacefulness and perseverance again. (IBP)
§ I navigated the choices I have made through my career and
education. (SRA)
§ provide a sense of accomplishment through problem solving and
keeping a level head in stressful situations. (SRA)
§ Portrays a positive and powerful image of oneself. (TMW)
§ Finding strength to persevere and endure in spite of obstacles.
(TMW)
§ Contradictory Evidence
§ Not living and loving with my whole heart has disturbed my peace
and prevented me from persevering. (IBP)
§ Reflection
§ Perseverance has long been a theme in my life. Having been
diagnosed with breast cancer as a young mother, I did not have
much choice but to fight for my life and win. Every obstacle I face or
have faced is battled with every fiber of my being. I am a very
competitive person, so I think part of my desire to persevere comes
from the need to win. If I play the game of life as I would play any
sport or team, I naturally will do all I can to be successful and win.
 I will live and love for the
My rest of my life through
Personal wholehearted practices;
Vision trying my best to inspire
Statement others to do the same as I
go.
 I am committed to keeping
the peacefulness in my life
through practicing
kindness, acceptance, and
My reflection. I will hold my
Personal head high and get back on
Mission my feet anytime I am
Statement knocked over, finding my
superhero stance to fight
through any adversity and
persevere.
 Throughout the I wrote each In the end, each
analysis process, theme out and theme wrapped
I found some asked myself into two main
themes what life would categories which
Vision and complemented
others and would
look like if I used
these words to
I based my
statements on:
Mission help create my
vision and
describe where I
wanted to be and
I want to live and love

Reflection
wholeheartedly
mission how to get there. I want to continue to
statement. persevere through
adversities I may face
throughout the rest of
my life
• Many of the values I hold are personal and emotional in nature.
• The experience and experiences in my life have revolved around
these values.
• When thinking back to different times in my life, different themes
have been more prevalent or held more importance than others,
based on what was happening around me or in my life at that
particular moment.
• This assignment has helped me to understand my areas of
opportunity to emerge a stronger leader
§ Brown, B. (2010). The gifts of imperfection: Let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are.
Hazelden Publishing.
§ Compare countries. Hofstede Insights. (2021, June 22). Retrieved October 24, 2021, from https://www.hofstede-
insights.com/product/compare-countries/.
§ Crooks, K. (2018, May 22). Reference Letter. Glendale, Arizona; Deer Valley High School.
§ Explore your interests, your options, your future. me3®: Major and Career Quiz | Arizona State University. (n.d.). Retrieved
October 24, 2021, from https://yourfuture.asu.edu/me3.
§ Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2012). The Leadership Challenge: How To Make Extraordinary Things Happen in
organization. The Leadership Challenge.
§ Kuder. (n.d.). Career Assessment, Pathways Planning System Login: Kuder journey. Kuder Journey®. Retrieved October
24, 2021, from https://journey.kuder.com/home/dashboard.
§ McIntosh-Fletcher, D., & McIntosh-Fletcher, W. T. (2011). WorkStyle Patterns. In Realizing the Promise of Work (3rd ed.).
assessment.
§ RIASEC. University College. (2021, October 14). Retrieved October 24, 2021, from https://universitycollege.asu.edu/work-
learn/explore/assessments/RIASEC?tiq=t&c=95264&_ga=2.232400415.1667885815.1634923495-
1979297098.1615848649.