A Journey of Self-Discovery

Thematic Analysis
Bryan Goldsmith
April 8, 2023
OGL 482
Dr. Brent Scholar
Introduction
The following presentation is a thematic analysis of Bryan Goldsmith. First, we will cover the
research process and methods used in the analysis. These are comprised of Data Collection,
Read-Through, Coding, Transfer, Grouping and Theme Development, and Evaluation. Next,
the data sources considered in the analysis are listed with brief descriptions of each. Those
data sources are the Kuder Career Interest, Kuder Skills Confidence, Super’s Work Values,
Motivation and Career Anchors, DISC Personality, Strengths Finder, The Big 5 Personality,
Enneagram, Leader Identity Paper, Yellowdig Conversations, Dreams and Values, OGL 365
Paper, and OGL 360 Presentation. The data assimilated and coded by color-coded sorting.
Ten themes were developed from the data, which give a well-rounded view into the identity,
characteristics, and values of Bryan Goldsmith.
Research Process and Methods
My research methods were comprised of the following:
• Data Collection: The pool of data that I pulled from was all
assignments from this course, selections of previous work in the OGL
program, and Strength Finder 2.0.
• Read-Through: Once collected, I read through my data pull to
familiarize myself with what I had. This was a skimming or quick
flyover of the data.
• Coding: After the read-through, I ran through the data again. I began
to identify words, phrases, and concepts that were redundant; via
color-coding.
My Data Sources
The data sources used in this thematic analysis are:
• The Kuder Career Interest (CI)
• The Kuder Skills Confidence (SC)
• Super’s Work Values (WV)
• Motivation and Career Anchors (CA)
• DISC Personality (DISC)
• Strengths Finder (SF)
• The Big 5 Personality (B5)
• Enneagram (EA)
• Leader Identity Paper (LI)
• Yellowdig Conversations (YD)
• Dreams and Values (DV)
• OGL 365 Paper (365)
• OGL 360 Presentation (360)
Data Sources
• Kuder Career Interests Assessment (CI): This assessment focuses on what users
like to do. Activities are listed and the user rates how much he likes or dislikes the
activities. At the conclusion of the assessment, data clusters are shown over six
domains (Realistic, Artistic, Enterprising, Investigative, Social, and Conventional).
The highest rated interests are matched with careers the user may enjoy.
• Kuder Skills Confidence Assessment (SC): This assessment focuses on what users
believe they are good at doing. Activities are listed and the user rates how
confident they are that they can accomplish each activity. At the conclusion of the
assessment, data clusters are shown over six domains (Realistic, Artistic,
Enterprising, Investigative, Social, and Conventional). The highest rated skills are
matched with careers that utilize those skills.
• Super’s Work Values Inventory (WV): This assessment focuses on work-related
values. Users rate the importance of activities. The results are categorized over
twelve values and are ranked in importance as High, Medium, or Low importance.
My 10 Themes
This next section identifies the 10 themes,
which resulted from my coding and evaluation
of my data sources. Those 10 themes are:

Faith Adventure
Freedom Independence
Business Achievement
Family Social
Friendship Entrepreneurial
 Theme: Faith
• Theme Statement: My faith in God is the
source of all the good things in my life.
• Data Sources:
• In a discussion with Nicole Plack, I commented on
the importance, relevance and meaningfulness of
the Bible as an inspirational book (YD).
• Religion was among my top choices in navigating
the Dreams and Values exercise (DV).
• Patience, Persistence, and Thoughtfulness. All of
these are closely associated with how I view my
Faith (DISC).
• My reliance on my faith is shown in the “A Voice
of Calm in the Midst of Uncertainty and
Pandemic” section of my paper. The attachment
“Letter to Tenants” cites my belief that God is in
control (LI).
Theme: Freedom
• Theme Statement: Freedom over my time and the manner in which I
do things is of high value and a central theme in my life.
• Data Sources:
• Autonomy/Independence was my highest score on career anchors. This
highlights my strong desire for the freedom to do what I want to do in the
manner in which I want to do it (CA).
• In posting on “What Gives Me Joy?” My post on 3/21 stating joy as a process.
That it is a liberating process, which gives me a sense of freedom (YD).
• In my paper I noted that Teal leader attributes are Freedom and
Accountability, which are two sides of a coin. This underscores my belief that
freedom comes with a cost, which is worth paying (365).
• In my paper, the segment “Stand Your Ground Young Man” contains this
thematic element: The liberating feeling of having stood my ground and
eluding danger/trouble (LI).
Theme: Family
• Theme Statement: My family is the reason I
do what I do, they are the motivation that
drives my life.
• Data Sources:
• This attribute from Ubuntu highlights the belief
that our well-being is deeply tied to the well-
being of others. This is how I feel about my
family. What is good for them is good for me and
vice-versa (360).
• I scored high in Conscientiousness (78), with
facets of Responsibility (90) and Deliberateness
(70) on the Big 5 tool. This is closely related to
the way I feel about my family. First, I feel
tremendous responsibility toward them and
secondly, I take deliberate actions to ensure our
safety, security, and survival (B5).
• One of the characteristics from the Enneagram
tool is that I nurture, care, and defend the people
I love (EA).
Theme: Business
• Theme Statement: I was born into a business that has been a
common thread woven through every aspect of my life.
• Data Sources:
• Kuder Skills Confidence: Conventional aspect. Interests include business
system skills and following established procedures. This underscores my
proclivity for business mindedness (SC).
• Big 5: Conscientiousness (78), with facets of Orderliness (80) and Self-
Discipline (90). These characteristics showcase the essence of my approach
to business (B5).
• DISC: Influence (39). My highest score was influence, which is a key factor in
how I lead my teams in business. I communicate and relate to others well,
using my influence (DISC).
• Kuder Career Interest: Enterprising aspect. Interests include working to
achieve economic gain and organizational goals. This captures my views on
ensuring that my businesses succeed (CI).
Theme: Friendships

• Theme Statement: Friendships are that special seasoning that

make life that much sweeter.
• Data Sources:
• In my OGL 360 presentation section Encouraging Connection I state
“Exemplary leaders know how important it is to connect with the people
around them, not taking anyone for granted, and appreciating folks for
both who they are and what they do”. This describes how I build
friendships naturally and genuinely (360).
• The Big 5 scores on Extraversion (83), with facets of Warmth (80) and
Gregariousness (90) explains the means by which I build friendships. I
value friendships for the fun they produce and the genuineness of their
connections (B5).
• The Enneagram assessment determined that I am charismatic. In terms
of relationships, I bring a lot of energy and intensity, which is attractive
to people. This illuminates my propensity to make friends easily (EA).
 Theme: Adventure
• Theme Statement: Adventure is what makes life
more than “all work and no play”, it is the grease for
the bearings of life.
• Data Sources:
• My Leader Identity paper had the section “A Voice of
Calm in the Midst of Uncertainty”. I categorize this as
adventure, because of the uncertainty of the pandemic.
It was not a fun adventure, but the sense of “how far will
this go?” lends itself as an adventure nonetheless (LI).
• The Enneagram assessment suggested that I desire to
experience everything good and pleasurable that the
world has to offer, while avoiding pain, boredom, and
limitations. This is the essence of my sense of adventure
(EA).
• I value creativity and variety as noted in my score in the
medium range on the work values assessment. These
are characteristics of what adventure is to me (WV).
Theme: Independence
• Theme Statement: To act independently, free
from the permission or approval of others, is one
of the great blessings of my life.
• Data Sources:
• One of my strengths from The Strength Finder tool
was Self Assurance, stating “you know that you are
able. Able to take risks, meet new challenges, stake
claims and most importantly, you are able to deliver.”
This correlates with my desire for independence,
because I am able (SF).
• My Leader Identity paper had the section “Stand Your
Ground Young Man” with a thematic element of think
independently from others” (LI).
• I scored in the high range for Independence. It shows
that I prefer to rely on myself for things in life (WV).
 Theme: Achievement
• Theme Statement: Striving to achieve is the fire that burns in me and
motivates me to keep pressing onward.
• Data Sources:
• I value striving as noted in my score in the medium range for Achievement. The
process of completing is important to me, which explains my desire to achieve
(WV).
• The Strength Finder tool described me as an Achiever, stating “after each
achievement is reached, the fire dwindles then rekindles, forcing you onward to
the next achievement” (SF).
• In my paper, the segment “Death, Lawsuit, and Pulling a Gun on the Pastor”,
showcased the thematic element of achievement, displayed in navigating the
tough processes at that church project and prevailing in the end (LI).
• The Enneagram assessment stated that I am defined by my desire to achieve,
vigorously pursuing tasks and absorbed by the pursuit of attainment (EA).
Theme: Social
• Theme Statement: Being social is the motor that
drives building my relationships in both business and
in life.
• Data Sources:
• The Social aspect from my Career Interest tool shows
interests in developing and growing human relationships.
This captures my views on my social interactions (CI).
• The Big 5 scores on Extraversion (83), with the facet of
Positive Emotions (90) explains the upbeat attitude I take
in social settings (B5).
• The DISC noted that Influence (39) was my highest score.
It said, “You are likely to be a good listener and offer
constructive advice, rather than imposing your own ideas
on others”. (DISC).
 Theme: Entrepreneurial

• Theme Statement: The thrill of taking a business or idea from

concept to reality has always driven me to keep striving.
• Data Sources:
• The Enterprising aspect from my Career Interest tool shows that I am
confident in persuasion, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills (CI).
• The Strength Finder tool described me as a Maximizer, stating “you seek our
strengths, then feel compelled to nurture, refine, and stretch them toward
excellence” (SF).
• The Realistic aspect of the noted attributes including confidence in skills and
problem solving. These are key factors in my views as an entrepreneur (SC).
My Personal Vision Statement

Faith, family, friendships, and freedom will continue to be the driving purpose behind
my business achievements, entrepreneurial ventures, and social adventures in life.

In reflecting on the process of developing my personal vision statement, I found that

I focused on the themes derived from my thematic analysis. These themes are
valuable in identifying who I really am. It seemed natural to draw from these in
developing my vision statement. I learned that the combination of these themes fit
together well as an interrelated amalgam of what is important to me. I did not use
any specific tool, other than the thematic analysis for developing my personal vision
statement.
My Personal Mission Statement
I will strive to achieve the utmost for my family and friends, both socially
and in business, to the glory of God.

The process I used for developing my personal mission statement was to

ruminate on what is important to me and what I want my life to be focused
on as I move forward. Again, I relied on my thematic analysis, which is the
most comprehensive study of my identity, characteristics, and values. This
process taught me to take an introspective look within myself. It taught me
to peel back the layers of what I value and why. It exposed my deepest
thoughts and approaches to life. The culmination of this process yielded a
simple statement, which is how I derived my personal mission statement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I learned the value of self-reflection and introspection. Striving to
objectively consider my character, actions, and motives was a rewarding
experience. It was also fascinating to see how thematic analysis works. The
process of gather data, reading, coding, re-reading, re-coding, transferring,
grouping, developing themes, and evaluating was both exhausting and exhilarating
all at the same time. I am left with a deep sense of satisfaction and
accomplishment having developed these themes and personal vision and mission
statements.
References
Big five personality test. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.123test.com/personality-test/
DISC personality test. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.123test.com/disc-personality-test/
Dreams and values worksheets. (n.d.) Retrieved from
https://asu.instructure.com/courses/148163/assignments/3975923?module_it
em_id=10345687
Enneagram personality test. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://tests.enneagraminstitute.com/
Kuder career interest test. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://journey.kuder.com/home/dashboard
Kuder skills confidence test. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://journey.kuder.com/home/dashboard
References (continued)
Goldsmith, B. (2023). Inspiration: Leader Identity Narrative. OGL 482
Organizational Leadership Pro Seminar II Spring B 2023. Arizona State
University
Motivation and career anchors. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://asu.instructure.com/courses/148163/assignments/3975923?m
odule_item_id=10345687
Goldsmith, B. (2022). Sharpening the Leader Within Me. OGL 360
Assessment of Leadership Effectiveness Fall B 2022. Arizona State
University
Goldsmith, B. (2022). Leadership Styles with a Meditation on the Tao.
OGL 365 Reinventing Organizations Spring B 2022. Arizona State
University