THEMATIC

ANALYSIS
Samantha Luckett
Monday, April 10th, 2023
OGL 482: Pro-Seminar II
Dr. Brent Scholar
Introduction

Throughout this presentation I will discuss my previous work completed

throughout my educational career and identify values, themes, and missions
moving forward. Overall, this educational exercise was extremely important
to me because it identified my top values while I look for more opportunities
within my career.
In this section I will review my research process and methods, detail my data
sources, and introduce my ten themes.
Research Process and Methods
Throughout my research I recompiled all assignments I have completed at
Arizona State University through my major in Organizational Leadership
and minor in Educational Studies.

Combed through Isolated Added all Reviewed

Compile
Gathering

Isolation

Coding
Google Docs, documents, documents to quotes and
personal files, surveys, and include in the contributed
and turned in assignments that assignment to an phrase to a
assignments included Excel document theme with
through Canvas personal and added supportive data
reflections on specific quotes analysis
school or work from documents
into a
spreadsheet
My Data Sources
■ Data sources are necessary for any analysis. Specific to a thematic
analysis, qualitative and quantitative data is used to compile and identify
specific words, phrases, or themes to support themes, theories, or patterns.
■ Majority of the data sources originate from my educational career at
Arizona State University in the Organizational Leadership and
Educational Studies courses. With each data source, common themes arise
and are identified to select themes and provide supportive data.
■ I struggled throughout this process in finding appropriate themes that were
consistently supportive of what I wanted to capture and display. I also
struggled with word choice for the title of each theme; I felt that I could
have selected more than ten themes throughout the analysis but lacked
clear data support for some.
Data Sources
■ Models & Motivation (MM)- In this assignment, I completed a survey determining
mastery and performance on a four-quadrant scale. I scored in the high-mastery and high-
performance quadrant. The reflection discusses life examples that supports my results.
(OGL 220)
■ Self Assessment Reflection (SAR)- This reflection exercise required that I take six
different assessments. The assessments included different evaluations of personal values,
career interests, motivations, skills, and personality. The specific assessments were the
Jung Typology Test, Me3: ASU Career Test, three Kuder Self Assessments, the Motivation
& Career Anchors Assessment, and the Truity Personality Test. (OGL 482)
■ Indigo & DISC Assessment (DISC) - These assessments require users to select two
answers from a series of statement question. The individual selects which answer is
accurate to their personality and one which they believe is least accurate as to their
personality. Each statement has a corresponding value which generates a score for the user
in four categories: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance. (OGL 220)
■ Team Activity Two (TAT)- This reflection was reviewing a case study “Starts With a
Bang, Ends With a Whimper”. In discussing the case I made a series of recommendations
for improved leadership. (OGL 300)
Data Sources (Con’t.)
■ Education Self Reflection (ESR)- This reflection exercise required that I take different
assessments and relate them back to Bronfenbrenner's Theory of Development.. (TEL
200)
■ Module 2 Yellowdig Assignment (MYD2)- The discussions and reflections noted in
this assignment tied in my personality assessments while reflecting on team dynamics
and leadership style. (OGL 482)
■ Module 2 Yellowdig Joy Assignment (MYDJ)- This discussion reflected on how I
find joy, what actions I take to continue joy, and what the underlying reason for the
actions of my joy are. There were themes discussed in this post that further support the
thematic analysis. (ECS 312)
■ Program Management Final Paper (PMFP)- This paper is a culmination assignment
discussing the importance of various strategies, procedures, and processes that influence
effective project management. In this assignment, I was able to relate the work
completed in the course to my own career and future planning. (PMG 320)
Data Sources (Con’t.)
■ Electronic Portfolio (EP)- The electronic portfolio was initially created in OGL 481. In this
portfolio, I identified S.M.A.R.T. goals and completed a framework assessment based on a situation
in the Life Time Inc. organization. (OGL 481)
■ Team Project- Expectations (TPE)- The Team Project in OGL 355 used a series of do’s and don’ts
with a clear understanding of what the motivations, expectations, and consequences were for
behaviors. (OGL 355)
■ Team Project- Final (TPF)- Throughout the project, we researched an organization, their mission,
vision, and how the organization will continue to succeed in the environment and industry. I
supplied ample research and analysis that also included mission and vision statements. (OGL 355)
■ Book Report (BR)- This assignment included a reflection of the book, “A Minute to Think” by
Juliet Funt. Throughout the assignment I reflected on how I can utilize aspects discussed in the book
to improve my quality of work and life. (OGL 482)
■ Girl Scouts Bronze & Silver Award (BSA)- I was in Girl Scouts from Kindergarten until I turned
21 through various roles. I earned my bronze and silver awards. These are projects planned,
conducted, and continued by the scouts.
My 10 Themes

■ Family Focus ■ Relationship Building

■ Achievement ■ Job Security

■ Communication ■ Financial Stability

■ Professional Development ■ Integrity

■ Empathy ■ Service/ Giving back to the community

Family Focus
■ Theme Statement: Finding importance of having consistent purpose for my life and roles I take on.
For my family, I find myself being the caregiver, support system, and guider. For my work, I look to
guide people to be the best versions of themselves and to promote growth professionally and
personally.

– Data Sources
■ “I found myself taking on a parent role to complete homework, clean the house, and cook dinner
for my siblings” (ESR)
■ “My family and close friends bring me joy and purpose throughout my life” (MYDJ)
■ “My parents have not been 'happily' married throughout my life and I am the sole mediator
between their relationship”. This has led to uses of integration for win-win situations (ESR)
■ “Between schooling, I took a four-year break from school to focus on my family and career” (EP)
■ “In personal relationships, I find myself to be more agreeable especially if it's not something I am
passionate about or I know the other party would feel better. This is in attempt to maintain
congruence” (DISC)
Family Focus (Con’t.)

■ Contradictory Evidence
– “I have a huge fear of getting taken advantage of then looking incompetent. I now
see that in order to avoid that feeling, I focus on solutions, not on the problems and
then focus on the goal” (DISC)

■ Reflection
– Keeping my family in the focus of m life has provided a sense of security, love, and
consistency but there is a struggle with full trust and family roles are difficult to
maintain.
Achievement
■ Milestones and achievements have consistently motivated me to improve myself and accomplish what
feels impossible. I have seen myself achieve goals that then contribute to my own self-worth. This is not
always healthy but has driven me to success.

– Data Sources
■ “High Master/ High Performance best suited the characteristics to describe myself… initially succeeded
(based on grades) I was feeling confident and enjoying the class/ learning experience” (MM)
■ “I am a busy person, but this is because I find my sense of self-worth within the crazy busy schedule and
achievements” (BR)
■ Through the work on my Bronze and Silver Awards, I was able to see how project completion can lead to
personal awards but also assisting others (BSA)
■ “I found my results of the Super’s Work Values Inventory-revised most interesting as it relates to my
current profession. In this assessment, I had a high value in supervision, coworkers, independence,
prestige, and achievement” (SAR)
■ “An important skill of any leader is to see how organizational innerworkings and efforts impact the long-
term performance of the organization” (EP)
Achievement (Con’t.)

■ Contradictory Evidence
■ “We understand from studies and company success that motivating employees
through rewards does not work and may hinder results” (MM).
■ “I have learned that being busy is first a coping mechanism for social
conformity and has killed my ability to stop, pause, and be creative in solving
complex problems” (BR)
■ Reflection of theme including life impact
– Achieving goals is a main sense of motivation, self worth, and purpose in my life
but I continually overload my schedule which leads to additional stress,
procrastination, and ultimate failures.
Communication
■ Communication has been a theme throughout my life as a key focus for success. While I was young it
was a common word in our household that has helped me in learning how to communicate on teams and
lead them to success.

– Data Sources
■ “I believe that if smaller groups were designed to work on specific topics of the mission statement there
would have been more successful collaboration, continual effort, and less conflict” (TAT).
■ “In my perspective, I believe the best approach to creating a positive motivational climate would be to
communicate and understand everyone's personal goal-orientation and foster that into the TARGET
model” (MM).
■ “Communication is broken down into these steps for effectiveness when encountering a situation: vent,
empathize, prepare, and share. Within the four steps, there may be different people that help you navigate
the circumstance but practicing creating a clear message will allow resolution to the situation” (BR)
■ “The management of the team focuses on the shared vision of the project goal and communication
throughout the project to avoid or resolve conflict” (PMFP)
■ “I believe that I could improve my general approach to conflict by initiating dialog over conflicts instead
of them waiting to come to me” (ESR)
Communication (Con’t.)

■ Contradictory Evidence
– I still feel that implementation of documentation and communication with
the project sponsor on failures are areas I can still develop (PMFP)
■ Reflection of theme including life impact
– Communication has been a learned impact and development on my life but if there
is a point that I become overwhelmed, I lose my rational ability to communicate
first. This has impacted my ability to be consistent and maintain the level of
integrity I wish to have. When I use communication, it has developed trust within
my relationships and allowed for personal learning on success.
Continual Development
■ Continual Development in both education and career experience has been important
throughout my life and writing. I believe that continual development of individuals
accounts for long term success and attributes to the success of those around you.

– Data Sources
■ “Under this restructure, facilitating decisions and managing conflict would have been easier for
Green because they would be limited to affecting smaller groups” (TAT).
■ “A leader should foster a master goal-oriented perspective. Mastery goal orientation in general
has a growth mindset perspective of continuous learning towards a goal or understanding” (MM).
■ “I was personally impacted by the reading of this book through reflection and small actions made
to my daily routines to create white space” (BR)
■ “The principle and practices learned throughout the course related to my own enrichment and
adopted applications to my own professional development in multiple ways” (PMFP)
■ “I love analytics because I believe at times, they truly show an unbiased reflection of a business
however, humans are not robots and in order to lead a team I believe a leader needs to have
personal relationships with every contributor” (ESR)
Continual Development (Con’t.)

■ Contradictory Evidence (if there is none then a brief explanation why feel this is so)
– “In today’s world, we overload on tasks because of internal or external pressures,
not allowing ourselves a moment to breathe, think, or relax. Instead, we add more
work and fill whatever time we have with projects, procedures, or simply scrolling
endlessly on our phones. This gives us a false sense of productivity or achievement
and instills guilt from the imbalance between our family, career, friends, or
hobbies” (BR)
■ Reflection of theme including life impact
– Continual development has been a common theme that has impacted my life to
continue growing and learning to become the best version of myself. This has
related to my personal and professional roles and assisted in growth opportunities.
Empathy
■ Empathy has been a common theme in my life in ways I have only begun to understand. I have been an
overly empathetic person where it has brought me personal harm. I have used my degree to understand
how to navigate personal and professional relationships with an appropriate amount of empathy and
accountability.
– Data Sources
■ “Goal orientation in leadership can be related to empathy. Leaders need to be empathetic towards their
followers' understandings and perspectives and different learning styles. Understanding 'one shoe doesn't
fit all' will develop a team's understanding of others and promote inclusion for different ideas and
perspective” (MM)
■ “I characterize myself as a servant leader because I value each person’s experience and perspective when
making a decision and try to be there to support my team in whatever situations they find themselves in”
(MYD2)
■ Empathy is utilized in the non-profit world as you reflect on your own resources and brainstorm how you
can contribute to the success of others. During the forming/storming phase of the award projects, empathy
is used to see how/ where someone needs help and connection (BSA)
■ “Much of my job is being able to show empathy while holding an expectation and being goal focused
while helping others” (TAT)
■ Throughout the development of the Team Project, a focus on empathy for situational occurrences that
hindered success was discussed. We believed that empathy must be utilized in leadership and project
completion (TPF)
Empathy (Con’t.)

■ Contradictory Evidence
– “I may have to adapt my own communication to be more enthusiastic and
talkative, something I'm usually the opposite of. I will also ensure that my
behavior around the individual is more consistent, seemingly comfortable, and
pacing my own ideas in a way that will not exceed their comfort levels” (DISC)
■ Reflection of theme including life impact
– I am an overly empathetic person that can get in trouble by taking on too much in
an effort to avoid upsetting, overloading, or stressing others out. Empathy can be a
tool when regulated appropriately. I have loved being able to use my skills of
empathy to benefit myself and others and look forward to this theme being further
developed.
Relationship Building
■ Building relationships are important to individual and collaborative success. Without
relationships, individual success will only plateau. This theme is important to me because
my relationships have led me to personal and professional success.
– Data Sources
■ “Green had the opportunity to continue building commitment with the team because the
team was highly invested and excited for this task” (TAT)
■ “Working within an organization successfully, one must have an understanding of
themselves and rely on the relationships around them to succeed” (MYD2)
■ During my time in Girl Scouts you needed to build relationships within your troop and
those around you for others to contribute to projects and learn to work together to
accomplish the troop goals (BSA)
■ “Importance of connecting with the team or specific individuals on the team to develop
dynamics of trust, closeness, and empowerment” (BR)
■ Understanding and getting to know the team and learning styles each individual works
best in contributes to project and organizational success. The individuals on my team
worked differently than I did which enforced the importance of relationship building (TPF)
Relationship Building (Con’t.)
■ Contradictory Evidence
– In my personality assessments I tested into being an introvert. This result would
make relationship building slightly more difficult. Introverts tend to want to be left
alone or reflect in solidarity (DISC)
■ Reflection of theme including life impact
– I value building and maintaining relationships to progress my own personal and
professional life. I have to be mindful of my own anxieties and overextending
myself or my time while I work to build and maintain future relationships. I look
forward to helping others bridge new relationships.
Job Security
■ Job Security was a continued goal of mine through education and professional
development. In my personal life, my parents didn’t have consistent streams of
income which led to additional family stress. This caused long-term fears and
failures within my family and has related to my professional career.
– Data Sources
■ My father’s work was unstable and lost his job three times throughout my childhood. This created
strain on friendships and understood role as a child. (ESR)
■ “My secondary career anchor was security, stability, organizational identity…the company has brought
a sense of security“ (SAR)
■ I have worked for the same organization for ten years which has given me a feeling of security that has
been recently challenged due to organizational restructuring and changes (EP)
■ “The economic uncertainty had a negative effect on my childhood and development where I now only
look for security and consistency” (ESR)
■ “If I don't fail now I know how not to fail in the future. Although, I completely understand the growth
opportunity from failing, it remains as one of my biggest fears because I wouldn't be failing just myself
and again that perspective that I'm not capable of something is not acceptable in my view” (DISC)
Job Security (Con’t.)

■ Contradictory Evidence
– Throughout my Electronic Portfolio, I discussed the interest in switching careers.
Although this is a theme throughout my life, switching careers would challenge
this. (EP)
■ Reflection of theme including life impact
– Having a goal and maintaining a theme can help someone create a plan to
accomplish long term goals. Having job security as a theme has maintained a
sense of consistency within my life but it has also stunted change and growth for
potential opportunities.
Financial Security
■ Financial Security is something that I wish to obtain and has been shown in my writing as
a theme. I believe that people with financial security in general can lead a happier life and
have less stress to focus on other important aspects bother personally and professionally.

– Data Sources
■ Creating a project plan with a focus on financial security throughout the project for the company
(TPE)
■ “The economic uncertainty had a negative effect on my childhood and development where I now
only look for security and consistency” (ESR)
■ “I think that majority of people and students are struggling with the realization and fight between
financial stability and joy within the work we do. I think there is a happy medium for each person
but find it important to find things that bring joy and encompass it into the work” (MYDJ)
■ I like being part of a large organization where I can be certain that my job, work, and salary are
relatively secure (EP)
■ Good benefits, guaranteed work, and a retirement program were questions within the motivation
and career assessments that placed a higher weight on my need for financial security (EP)
Financial Security (Con’t.)

■ Contradictory Evidence
– I was not able to find contradictory evidence for financial security. I believe this is
because I have obtained and maintained positions that meet or exceed my financial
needs.
■ Reflection of theme including life impact
– Financial security has been a consistent theme and goal in my life due to my
childhood. I need to continue to keep my goals in mind regardless of monetary
income in order to accomplish joy and my larger life goals.
Integrity
■ Integrity for an individual and a leader builds trust, communication, and commitment in maintaining
relationships and developing personal and professional goals. This has been a common theme in my life
for those I choose to surround myself with and what I wish to continue to have.

– Data Sources
■ Scored high in ‘Integrating’ when completing an assessment for conflict styles. Integration involves
openness, exchange of information, involvement and trust of both parties with finding resolutions (ESR)
■ “Building trust on a team is important for individual and organizational success” (MM)
■ “Throughout the work on a project, open communication brings an understanding of individual
responsibility, integrity, and trust” (PMFP)
■ “Based on the DISC tendencies, skill, and motivators, my greatest behavioral strengths are being a leader
in whatever I do, I'm driven to succeed and will think of a way to get something I'm unfamiliar with
done, I am objective, and I will initiate action to create or enhance aspects of life to benefit myself and
others” (DISC)
■ “The culture was to do what was best for the team members, the members, and to communicate any
differences in perspectives to create an understanding for unification behind the larger goal” (EP)
Integrity (Con’t.)
■ Contradictory Evidence
– “I have utilized the avoiding style in my personal life. I absolutely despise when I
make a mistake and then being confronted by it. I would prefer to avoid the situation
completely or admit my mistake before anyone else could” (ESR) The avoiding the
situation is what lacks integrity.

■ Reflection of theme including life impact

– Having integrity is something that will be a daily choice determined by decisions.
Integrity has so far helped me build trust with others and advanced me in my
career by following through on commitments. I will continue and develop this
practice.
Service & Giving back to the Community
■ Service and Giving back to the community has been a theme throughout my life. I have found
that being of service to others not only grows an individual personally but brings long-term joy
and relationship building.
– Data Sources
■ “In the motivation and career anchors assessment, my primary career anchor was having a
sense of service/dedication to a cause, this was my highest score by eight points” (SAR)
■ My Silver Award was centered around developing an educational pamphlet for lower income
schools to use to teach basic ABC’s. This project provided additional resources that teachers
could use long term (BSA)
■ “After some pondering, helping others and being a part of a greater purpose brings me joy”
(MYDJ)
■ “I prefer to work in social settings to have access to receive and administer help” (SAR)
■ “When I was on a scouting trip we were tasked with cleaning up the marshes in the Florida
Keys. I absolutely loved this project and we found some innovative ways to collect as much
garbage as possible on our kayaks” (DISC)
Service & Giving back to the Community (Con’t.)

■ Contradictory Evidence (if there is none then a brief explanation why feel this is so)
– There was no contradictory evidence throughout my assignments. I believe this is a
fundamental aspect of myself that hasn’t been challenged in my assignments
because my personality assessments and leadership perspectives.
■ Reflection of theme including life impact.
– Being of service and giving back to the community has been a great joy and
learning opportunity within my life. I wish to continue this as I find a new career.
My Personal Vision Statement

As a person, I value empathy, security, and integrity in myself

and others. Throughout my life, I will strive to surround
myself with people who share my values as I continue to
practice them myself. I am passionate about helping people
become the best versions of themselves and hope to help
others by guiding them to do the same this will lead to
networking opportunities and determination of a future career.
Vision Statement Reflection
To develop my personal vision statement, I used a three-step approach. First,
I identified key characteristics I wish to see in myself and those around me.
The key characteristics are used as key values. Then I thought about my
ultimate goals, passions, purpose, and what brings me joy. Finally, I set a
personal goal to identify what my statement was continually working
towards.

In the development of my vision statement, I learned how a vision statement

can change for each goal. Identifying my goal was initially difficult because
there were many aspects of my life that could use long term vision. I was
able to use my education through the EP and the TPF as a resource to
developing my vision statement.
My Personal Mission Statement

I am dedicated to be a mentor of hard work and empathy

leading with kindness, respect, dedication to build
relationships and give guidance to those around me for
the continued growth of myself and others.
Mission Statement Reflection

To develop my personal mission statement, I used a four-step approach.

First, I identified what was most important to me. Ultimately articulating
what I am most passionate about. Then I thought about my ultimate goals,
passions, purpose, and what brings me joy. This was a similar step in my
vision statement. I then compared my idea of my mission statement with
those of others. I used the example provided and looked at other
organizations. I then thought about my own unique qualities I can include
into my statement. Throughout the writing of my mission statement, I
utilized my prior education from my EP and TPF. Throughout this process, I
learned how to identify and articulate what my ultimate passion was.
Conclusion

■ Throughout this project and creation of this presentation I learned a few things about
myself. I learned how my themes can be a hinderance and an advantage to my overall
goals and passions in my life. I found that my need for stability in both my job and
financially has led to overlook opportunities and in turn feel stuck. I have also realized
that I am not fulfilling all my themes as they relate to goals such as being of service to
others. Similar to my completion of the Electronic Portfolio in OGL 481, the
organization I work for does not support the same values, themes, or mission that I once
understood them too.
 References
1. Himes, F. M. (2016, April 20). The 3 key questions. YouTube. From
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-4lKCENdnw