An Insight to All of Me

….a thematic analysis for Leticia Lopez

Leticia Lopez
April 8, 2024
OGL482
Professor Trista Guzman Glover
What is a Thematic Analysis?
A Thematic Analysis is a process of developing your life themes. These themes
are found by gathering data from a variety of sources. These themes say a lot
about who you are as a person and can help you decide what career path you
may want to take. It really helps you understand what your interests and
values are and can guide you in choosing the right career. The process
consists of locating and reading through your data sources, Coding your data,
and then finding your themes. In this presentation, I will be explaining in
more detail how I performed each of these steps for my Thematic Analysis.
Locating Data Sources

 To find the data sources used perform my

analysis, I first logged into my ASU dashboard and
pulled up all the classes I took for the leadership
program.
 I then pulled up each class one by one and
reflected on what I took away from each course.
 I reviewed all the assignments, self-assessments,
and self-reflections for each course, looking for
ones that really stood out to me in my journey at
ASU.
 I also reflected on my own personal career
journey and the high points that stood out to me.
 I was able to narrow it down to 13 data sources.
Reading Data Sources and Coding Process

 I made a Word document and listed each of my 13 data sources.

 I started with the first data source listed on the page and full read through the
source.
 I went back and read through the source again, this time taking notes on my
Word document of phrases that stood out to me. These phrases included
people, places, things, and ideas that were of importance to me.
 I continued to repeat this process for each of my data sources.
 I then took these phrases and broke them down to what those phrases meant to
me For example, the phrase “provide for my family” meant that “financial
stability” was important for me. These words of importance were now my
“codes”.
 After notating all my “codes” in the Word document, I then wrote down each of
them on a sticky note.
Finding my Themes

 After writing all my “codes” on sticky notes, I then posted them on my wall.
There were many of them and I was able to reflect on each of them as I put
them on the wall.
 As I put them on the wall, I was also able to see the commonalities in the
“codes” in which I grouped these sticky notes together.
 After putting all the sticky notes on the wall, I was able to step back and look
at the multiple groups I had created. These groups would now become my
“themes”.
 I was able to narrow down all my sticky notes into 10 “themes”.
 I gave each theme its own title. For example, my first theme is titled
“Family”. This theme was full of codes that expressed the importance of
family to me.
My Data Sources
During my time in the ASU leadership program, I have had many opportunities to
reflect on many aspects of my life, especially when it comes to my career. I
have had many assignments that have allowed me to really dig deep into what is
important to me and what I truly value in life and work. I have also had the
opportunity to reflect on my strengths and weaknesses through self-reflections
and self-assessments. Along with these assignments, I have also been able to
reflect on previous experiences throughout my professional career, including
awards received. These self-assessments and self-reflections have helped me
gather the data needed to perform my thematic analysis.
Data Sources Legend

 Kuder Career Interests Assessment (KCIA)- The Kuder Career Interests Assessment is a test that provides you
with many listed activities in which you rate how much you like or dislike doing that activity. After rating all the
activities, you are provided with a “Holland Code”. This code is and acronym for the interests that are highest
to you. The assessment then goes on to list different occupations that line up with your interests as well as
majors you may want to consider.
 Kuder Skills Confidence Assessment (KSCA)- The Kuder Skills Confidence Assessment listed several different
tasks in which I had to score them in how confident I felt I could complete the task. This assessment also
provides you with a “Holland Code” that identifies your strengths in certain skills.
 Kuder Assessment: Super’s Work Values Inventory-revised (SWVI)- The Super’s Work Values Inventory-revised
Assessment consist of many statements in which I had to rate how important each statement was to me. The
assessment identifies what you value the most in life and in work.
 Career Anchors Assessment (CAA)- The purpose of the Motivation and Career Anchors Assessment is to define
which of our needs has the highest priority. In this assessment, you are given 64 statements in which you must
rate 1 through 10 depending on the question for that statement. At the end of the test, you add up the point for
each column of questions to determine your Career Anchor.
 The Three Key Questions by Father Michael Himes Yellowdig Reflection (3Q)- This reflection had us answer
three questions: What gives me joy?, What am I good at?, and What does the world need me to do?. This
reflection really help you to identify your values and what’s important to you so that you can decide where you
want to go in the future.
Data Sources Legend Cont.

 Data Me3 Assessment (DM3)- This assessment showed two images of people doing different things and
some pictures were just objects. I then had to select the image that was most appealing to me. After
making all of my selections, the system then used my answers to analyze and provide me potential careers
and majors.
 Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance Personality Test (DISC)- This test is to find out how
the DISC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance) factors explain your behavior toward others
and the everyday things you do. A DISC assessment is a self-assessment tool or questionnaire designed to
evaluate an individual's behavioral tendencies and personality traits. It includes a series of questions or
statements that you answer based on your preferences and reactions to various scenarios. The assessment
results are used to create a DISC profile.
 Big Five Personality Test (5P)- This personality test help you find out more about who you are and your
strengths. This is valuable information for choosing a career. This personality quiz measures the Big Five
personality traits that were developed over three or four decades by several independent scientific
researchers: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neutral
reactions.
 Leader Identity Narrative (LIN)- A Leader Identity Narrative is a story that tells about past leadership
experiences, beginning with your childhood. It ties these experience you had with different leadership
styles. It allows you to critically reflect on major experiences and the people that have influenced your
thinking, your work, and your identity as a leader.
Data Sources Legend Cont.

 Leadership Orientations Self-Assessment (LOA)-While taking OGL481: Pro-Seminar 1, we took the Leadership
Orientations Self-Assessment. The Leadership Orientations assessment is keyed to four different conceptions
of organizations and of the task of organizational leadership. These orientations are presented in four frames,
Structural Leaders, Human Resource Leaders, Political Leaders, and Symbolic Leaders. The assessment
identifies what sort of leader you are and why.
 Electronic Portfolio: Core Competencies (EP)- While taking OGL481: Pro-Seminar 1, we created an
Electronic Portfolio. Each student created their own website to illustrate their professional skills and
competencies. The Core Competencies section focused on eight competencies we felt we mastered
throughout the ASU leadership program. This allowed us to reflect on what skills we learned throughout the
program and recognize what our strengths are.
 Work Style Patterns Inventory (WSP)- I took this assessment taking the class OLG340: Socrates, the Super
Worker. This class focused on Your Work, Your Workplace, and Your Life. Digging deep into these aspects of
your life, enables you see and analyze the Whole. The WSP Inventory assesses the positions and preferences of
people in organizations. This assessment provides you with a WSP Profile which breaks down the work-based
activities a person wants to do or is required to do when fulfilling the requirements of the work. There are 29
different profiles this assessment identifies.
 Director’s Club Award (DCA)- This is an award previously given yearly by my organization, Medtronic
Diabetes. This award was given to the top representatives, team leads, and supervisors in each department.
This was measured by the metrics of your teammates, feedback from your customers, and feedback from your
peers. Winners selected for this award were sent to a beach resort for a week, in which all expenses were
paid.
My Themes
As discussed previously, I was 1)Financial Stability

able to narrow my patterns 2)Sense of Purpose

and things that are important 3)Helping Others
to me from my data sources 4)Love for Kids
down to 10 “Themes”. My 5)Love for Teaching
“Themes” really define who I
6)Family Support
am as a person and what is
7)Determination
important to me. I will now
8)Need for Reassurance
take the time to dig deeper
into each of them listed. 9)Understanding Others

10)Empathy for Others

Theme 1: Financial Stability

 Theme Statement: Being able to financially provide for myself and for my children so
that I never have to worry that each of us have what we need to live comfortably and
reach our goals.

 Supporting Data:
o Interest in activities that include working to achieve economic gain as well as personal or
organizational goals. (KCIA)
o This shows that I need financial stability in my employment and in the organization. (CAA)
o My DISC personality report showed that my most dominant personality factor is Steadiness. (DISC)
o We were a middle-class family in which my parents both worked full-time. (LIN)
o My Godparents owned a small hydraulic shop in town, and they offered me a job as a secretary. It
was going to pay much more than the grocery store, so I took it. (LIN)
Theme 1: Financial Stability con’t
 Contradictory Evidence:
o As much as I loved being at home with my children, our family was struggled financially
having to live off one income. It was not a good feeling to be on such a tight budget
every day. (LIN)

 Reflection
 Growing up in a two-parent household with two steady incomes, my sisters and I always
had everything we needed. We also had money for extra curricular activities like Girl
Scouts and softball. I had friends whose dads were lawyers and doctors, but I never felt
less poor in any way. This is because my parents always provided that financial stability
for our family. This is why it was so important that my children felt the same way.
There was a time when I had four small children and we only ha one income coming in
since I was a stay-at-home mom. The lack of financial stability really gave me the push I
need to go back to school once the kids were a little older. I wanted to give them
everything my parents gave me. This is also why I choose to stay with a company in
which I feel like I have job security and a steady income. At times I feel like I may be
able to make more money if I look for another job, but I choose to stay where I know my
job is secure.
Theme 2: Sense of Purpose

 Theme Statement: Knowing that what I am doing is truly making a difference in others
lives, whether that be my children, my family, my friends, my co-workers, or my
customers.

 Supporting Data:
o I think that when you find a career that motivates you and you are doing something you have a
passion for, you have a greater sense of accomplishment for what you are doing. (CAA)
o My secondary Career Anchor is Sense of Service/Dedication to a Cause. A person with this Career
Anchor is motivated by servicing others. (CAA)
o I loved the idea that these little minds were positively being transformed by what I was teaching
them. This was the first time I felt like I was changing lives and that I was a leader. (LIN)
o This new job brought me joy and gave me a sense of purpose knowing I played a part in helping
others live a better life. (LIN)
o I really want to make a difference. I want my life to have meaning as well as my job. I feel like I
could really make a difference somewhere….just trying to figure out where. (3Q)
Theme 2: Sense of Purpose con’t
 Contradictory Evidence:
o After moving back home and giving birth to my son, I followed in my mom’s footsteps and
took a job at the local grocery store. My Godparents owned a small hydraulic shop in town,
and they offered me a job as a secretary. (LIN)
 Reflection
 When I was little, I used to go door to door visiting the elderly people in the neighborhood.
At a very young age, I felt bad for them because I knew many of them lived alone. I have
always felt this sense of compassion for others, and it makes me feel good to care for
others. Initially, I went to college to be an elementary teacher as I loved working with kids
and felt it was my calling. I ended up dropping out of college at the age of 18 after finding
out I was pregnant. Eventually, I went back to college to pursue nursing. I did graduate
from nursing school, but never passed my nursing board exam. I used my nursing degree to
secure a job for a call center supporting diabetics who wear an insulin pump. What I love
most about my job is knowing that I play a part in making life easier for diabetics. After my
time in the leadership program at ASU, I have really thought about what the future holds
for me. I really feel that I want my job to have more meaning and purpose. I want to live
whatever time I have left in this world making a bigger impact on people.
Theme 3: Helping Others

 Theme Statement: The desire to help others in any way possible, whether it be physical or
emotional and to be the “go-to” person for others to come to when they need help.

 Supporting Data:
o I graduated from nursing school in 2006 and the best part of my clinical experience was the sense of
helping others and that feeling that I was making a difference in the lives of others. (CAA)
o My company sells medical devices that help people live a better life. It makes me feel good that my work
plays a part of making someone’s life easier. (CAA)
o The results to on to say that my personality report shows that I enjoy interacting with and helping others
and that I am open to new ideas and procedures. (DISC)
o She felt strongly that I was put on that phone for a reason and was so grateful for my help. In that
moment, I realized what a great product my company made and how I was a part of saving lives. (LIN)
o I took my job very serious and always stopped what I was doing to help my reps when they needed me.
(LIN)
Theme 3: Helping Others con’t
 Contradictory Evidence:
o Types of work aligned with your interest: Information Processing and
Computer Occupations. None of these types of work consist of
helping others. (WSP)
 Reflection
 At a very young age, my parents taught me how important it was to help others. I was in
Girl Scouts, and this was a lesson they taught me as well. My parents were great role
models, and I can remember so many times in which they were helping others. This is why
it so natural for me to help others. There is a certain feeling I get inside when I help
others. This is not just in my personal life but in my professional life as well. I have been
in a leadership role at my company for over 10 years and what I love most about being a
department leader is helping my team. I am always willing to offer a listening ear and
willing to help anyone who comes to me. I have learned that you can’t help someone that
doesn’t want to be helped and that has been a really hard lesson for me to learn. I just
want to help everyone and fix everyone's problems.
Theme 4: Love for Kids

 Theme Statement: Having this feeling of joy and happiness when interacting with
children, a feeling that their only their smiles and laughter can bring.

 Supporting Data:
o When I was in high school, I taught religious education for 3rd graders at my church every Wednesday.
I loved it so much that I decided that I wanted to go to college to be a Kindergarten teacher. (KCIA)
o I am good with kids and making them happy. I am also good with elderly people as I have a lot of
compassion for the young and old. I think I am good at teaching others the things I am skilled at. (3Q)
o This was a turning point for me in which I realized how good I was with kids and much I enjoyed
teaching. I loved the idea that these little minds were positively being transformed by what I was
teaching them. (LIN)
o I loved being a stay-at-home mom and it was by far one of the hardest jobs I have ever had. (LIN)
o Being around my family gives me joy. I especially love being with my niece and nephews because I
love kids. (3Q)
Theme 4: Love for Kids con’t
 Contradictory Evidence:
o I truly believe that my love for kids is so strong that there is no evidence that would state
otherwise. As far back as I can remember, my love for kids has always been there.
 Reflection
 When I was in high school, I used to babysit for my Godmother’s grandchildren. This included
three different families in which I was their “go-to” babysitter. I would have so much fun
babysitting and the children loved it when I came over. I later started helping my mom teach
a third-grade religious class at our church and I loved every part of working with the kids. I
looked forward to the classes because they always brightened my day. I later stared my
family at a very young age and was worried about how good of a mom I was going to be at
the age of 18. I really feel that I was great mom because I loved kids so much, especially the
ones I gave birth to. Now that my kids are young adults, I really miss the days when they
were so small. I am now an aunt and love spending time with my niece and nephews. If I’m
having a bad day, I can just one of them and will instantly be cheered up. Kids are so special
and just bring me so much joy. I know that if I pursue a job working with children, I would
really love going to work every day.
Theme 5: Love for Teaching

 Theme Statement: Having a sense of pride knowing that others are succeeding because of
something you taught them, knowing that you are changing the lives of others by your words
and actions.

 Supporting Data:
o Interests in activities that include working to inform, develop, heal, and teach other people. (KSCA)
o I have always enjoyed teaching others and it gives me a sense of pride when I see others succeed with
what I have taught them. (KCIA)
o In my current position, I am constantly teaching my team members new things and that is what I enjoy
most about my job. (KCIA)
o The careers selected for me that I found most appealing were kindergarten teacher, community health
worker, and training and development specialist. (DM3)
o A good leader in the view of a human resource leader is a facilitator and participative manager who
supports and empowers others. They believe in the importance of coaching, participation, motivation,
teamwork, and good interpersonal relations. (LOA)
Theme 5: Love for Teaching con’t
 Contradictory Evidence:
o Although teaching had always been my passion, I made the decision to go to nursing school
because it would allow me to get a degree sooner and provide for my children sooner. (LIN)
 Reflection
 My love for teaching began when I was high school, and I started helping my mom with a
religious class at church. I remember teaching them the 10 Commandments and the
feeling it brought me knowing they were going to remember what I had just taught them
for most of their life. It made me feel so good to know that they were going to be better
humans because of something I had taught them. I really felt teaching was my calling and
knew it was something I wanted to keep doing. I now work in a call center as a team lead
and a few years ago I had the opportunity to travel to Manila and train a new team of 30
reps. This was an experience of a lifetime and enjoyed every minute of the training. Once
I came back to the US, I continued to work with the reps and continued teaching them
more about our department. I felt so proud each time a rep showed improvement because
of the time I spent teaching them. I am now considering the possibility of working with our
training department as I love the teaching aspect of my job.
Theme 6: Family Love & Support

 Theme Statement: Having that emotional, physical, and financial support from my
family means the world to me knowing that they have my back to support me in
reaching my goals and becoming my own.
 Supporting Data:
o The assessment also recognized that I highly value Lifestyle, meaning that my job needs to allow
me to also have time for my friends and family. I would say that both values are very accurate for
me since I really value respect and family. (SWVI)
o My sister and brother-in-law own a small business and it is a lot of work. I truly admire them for
all their hard work and dedication. (CAA)
o I was able to take a guest with me to the resort when I received the Director’s Club Award. I
chose to take my oldest son because I knew that my children were the reason I had worked so
hard. (DCA)
o Although both of my parents worked full-time, they were always in attendance at any of my
school functions or activities. (LIN)
o My oldest sister offered to let my children and I move in with her so that I could go back to
school. (LIN)
Theme 6: Family Love & Support con’t
 Contradictory Evidence:
o Anyone who knows me, knows that I have always put my family first and all the decisions I
have made in my life have revolved around my family. I would not be able to find any
sources to state otherwise.
 Reflection
 I tell everyone that I have the two best sisters in the whole world, and I mean it. I couldn’t
have asked for better siblings or parents. At a young age, I didn’t realize how blessed I was
to have such a great family who were always there for me. As I became older, I really
understood how fortunate I was to have such a supportive family. They say it takes a village
to raise a family and that was definitely the case when it came to my kids. My parents and
sisters were such a big part in helping me raise them, especially when I became a singe
mom. I would not have been able to go back to school when the kids were young if it hadn’t
been for the help my family provided. Even now, going back to college in my 40’s, they
have supported me every step of the way. I really hope that my kids will tell their children
the same thing about me as I have always strived to be there for my kids in the way my
family was there for me. I also make it a point to be there for my teammates as I know that
not everyone has such a supporting family to go to when they need a little help. This is why
I value a good work-life balance.
Theme 7: Determination

 Theme Statement: Having the will and desire to reach my goals and to never give up on
what I started, many time for the reason of bettering myself and others.

 Supporting Data:
o It wasn’t an easy path to get here and there were so many highs and lows throughout my life that
had led me here. (LIN)
o Receiving the Director’s Club Award proved to me that hard work and dedication really do pay off.
(DCA)
o This is when I realized how strong I was and that I could reach any goal I set. (LIN)
o This assessment showed that I will find a way to solve a problem presented to me and that I solve
problems through critical thinking and gathering information. (KSCI)
o I was a single mom with three kids, and I was passing all my classes with no problems. I was
determined to do this for my family. (LIN)
Theme 7: Determination con’t
 Contradictory Evidence:
o After telling my boyfriend and my parents that I was pregnant, I made the decision to drop
out of college and move back home to start my family.

 Reflection
 I felt that I was always a determined person, but the determination really came out of me
once I became a single mom. I was 27 years old with four kids and I was determined to
provide the best life for my children on one income. I could not rely on their father to help
support them and knew it was all up to me to provide the life I wanted for my kids. I had
always done well in school, so I always felt I was smart enough to do more. With each
short-term goal I set, I was always determined to reach it and never doubted whether I
could or not. This determination inside stemmed from me wanting to prove to my kids and
myself that I was capable of so much more. I wanted my kids to look back on the life they
lived and be able to be proud to call me their mom. I was determined to be the best mom
and person that I could be and set that example for them. I continue to set goals in my
career and continue my determination to reach them all.
Theme 8: Need for Reassurance
 Theme Statement: Receiving that affirmation from others that I am doing a good job and that
all my hard work and dedication is paying off, this is at home and at work.

 Supporting Data:
o Throughout my personal and professional life, I would have to say that the most useful self-
assessment tools for me would be the direct feedback I have received. In my personal life that
feedback came from my kids. (5P)
o Being awarded the Director’s Club Award two years in row provided me the reassurance and
validation I needed to know long hours I was putting in at the office were being recognized.(DCA)
o I was working harder than I had ever worked and even won employee of the year two years in a row.
It felt so good to know that I was succeeding and doing it all on my own. (LIN)
o I received the highest scores my department had received in years. This was exactly the reassurance I
needed. It meant the world to me to know that my team felt this way about me and my leadership
skills. (LIN)
o I have made an “A” in every single class I have taken and have been on the Dean’s list for three
semesters. These achievements have given me so much confidence and have given me a whole new
outlook on my career path. (LIN)
Theme 8: Need for Reassurance con’t
 Contradictory Evidence:
o My primary Career Anchor is Security, Stability, and Organizational Identity. My secondary
Career Anchor is Sense of Service/Dedication to a Cause. A person with this Career Anchor is
motivated by servicing others. (CAA)
 Reflection
 I remember at the age of 23 taking my son to Kindergarten and feeling a little embarrassed
as all the other moms were older than me. I remember looking around and wondering what
sort of mom I was compared to them. I remember feeling sorry for my son that I was
possibly not as good of mom as all the older moms. However, as the years passed, I
continued to watch my son excel in so many ways. He was always a straight A student and
was recognized many times by his teachers for being well-mannered and caring for others.
This recognition from his teachers was the reassurance I needed to know I was doing a good
job. Over the years, my kids would tell me what a great mom they thought I was, especially
in the hand-written messages they write in their Mother’s Day cards. This reassurance goes a
long way and I have found that I need this reassurance in all aspects of my life to know that
I am doing a good job. I really appreciate a boss that gives me that validation that my hard
work matters. For this reason, I make it a point to give that reassurance back to my kids,
my teammates, and my supervisor.
Theme 9: Understanding Others

 Theme Statement: The ability to really get to know others for who they are and what they
believe in, truly accepting them for who they are including their strengths and weaknesses.

 Supporting Data:
o Confident in developing and growing human relationships.(KSCA)
o Many of my team members and I have worked together for over 10 years, and we are more like a family.
(CAA)
o In my summary report, the factor with the highest percentile was Extraversion which states that I am
outgoing, friendly, assertive, likes working with others, and enjoys direct leadership roles. (5P)
o As a human resource leader, you emphasize the importance of people. (LOA)
o I work in a call center, and I oversee a team here in Texas, as well as a team in the Philippines. The
cultures between the two teams is very different, as well as the diversity amongst the individual team
members. It is important that I take the time to understand the different cultures so that I can focus on
what is important to everyone. (EP)
Theme 9: Understanding Others con’t
 Contradictory Evidence:
o I reflected on my past and the years I had spent with the company. I contemplated leaving the
company as I felt used in some sort of way. My leadership team had let me down and I didn’t
want to hear any more excuses from them. (LIN)

 Reflection
 I grew up in a household in which my parents taught me to accept everyone for who they are.
Growing up, my parents had friends of many diversities and so did I. It was important for me
raise my kids the same way and to stress the importance of accepting everyone for who they
are. I am not just talking about their age or race, but so much more. It is important for me to
get to know people on a little more personal level. When I can get a better understanding of who
people are and how they grew up, I am able to understand them more as a person and what is
important to them. I have found that when you are able to understand someone better, you can
have a better relationship with them. This has been extremely true when it comes to my team.
It is important for me to get to know and understand them as individuals so that I know what is
important to them. When I understand them better, we can work better as a team. I also think
they appreciate the fact that I take the time to get to know them. Understanding others more
clearly allows me to communicate better with my team and reach common goals.
Theme 10: Empathy for Others

 Theme Statement: Being able to understand what others are feeling and going through
and using that understanding to work with them and help them in any way I can.

 Supporting Data:
o Solves problems through empathy, helping others to succeed and seeking mutuality. (KSCA)
o This assessment has made me realize how much empathy I have for people and how much I want to
help others. (KCIA)
o The thing that struck me the most is that it said that my listening and empathetic behavior make me
a good coach and that people will turn to me when they need help. (DISC)
o When I understand each team member better as an individual, I am able to work more closely with
them knowing what's important to them. This helps us work better as a team to accomplish our
goals. (EP)
o I got to know them on a more personal level and learned about their families and interests. I was
able to form some sort of connection with all my team members and found it easy to work together
as I began to understand each of them more as a person. (LIN)
Theme 10: Empathy for Others con’t
 Contradictory Evidence:
o Empathy is something I was taught at a very young age. It is a big part of who I am as a
person, both at home and at work. I could not find any sources that show lack of empathy in
any way.

 Reflection
 I believe I have always had empathy for others and have always put myself in other’s shoes. At
times, I feel like I may have too much empathy for others and make excuses for their actions. But I
really try to understand what people are going through and try to empathize with them in any way I
can to provide support. I believe this is why I have succeeded so well in my current job. I work for a
call center that supports diabetics who wear an insulin pump. By the time they speak to me, they
have already spoken to several reps and have asked for someone higher. Most of the calls I take are
customers that are really upset because something has gone wrong with their pump therapy. I can
speak to them calmly, listen to what they say, and help provide a resolution for them. I don’t care if
they are yelling at me or using foul language because I know that at the end of the day, they are
only trying to take care of their diabetes. I have lost several aunts and uncles from complications
with diabetes, so it is very easy for me to empathize with my customers. When customers feel that I
sincerely want to help them, they calm down and allow me to find a resolution for them. Showing
others empathy speaks volumes to them and we should all show empathy whenever we can.
My Personal Vision Statement
 “I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, and
I feel that God has allowed me to overcome many obstacles during
my life to make me the strong person I am today. I trust that God
has a plan for me to do great things and to use my skills to help
others in so many ways. My love for kids and passion for teaching
will help me change lives.”
Reflection: Linkedin taught me that your vision statement should reflect on your
values and passions. It should also reflect your goals and what you want for your
future, including your beliefs (Global, 2023). My faith in God is very strong and
has kept me going over the years. I also know that I want to change lives and live
a life in which I am able to help others. Creating this vision statement gave me a
sense of calmness in realizing how far I have come over the years with God by my
side.
My Personal Mission Statement
 I am dedicated to helping others, while staying true to who I am
and what I believe in, even when others don’t agree with my
actions or my beliefs, understanding that my values, including
compassion and empathy, define who I am as a person.

Reflection: Linkedin explained that the first step of creating a personal mission
statement is to define your core values and then determine what is important to
you (Olayemi, 2024). As I reflected on my Thematic Analysis and my time in the
ASU leadership program, I know that moving forward in my career and life, I
want to help others and I want to do this in a way in which I stick to my core
values, which are compassion and empathy. I know that if I can have a future
helping others, my life would have more of a purpose and would be filled with so
much joy.
What I have learned about myself…
I have learned so much about myself while going through the process of
conducting my Thematic Analysis. When I made the decision to go back to
college at the age of 41, it was in hopes that my bachelor’s degree would
help me get promoted to a supervisor position with my current employer.
After going through the leadership program at ASU and going through the
process of my Thematic Analysis, I now feel that I may want to go in another
direction and find a career that aligns better with my interests and values. I
have realized the importance of finding a career that brings you joy. To me,
that is working with kids and teaching. I am now open to new opportunities
and feel very grateful to have gone through this experience.
References
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DISC personality test. Fast and Free DISC assessment for business and individuals. (n.d.).
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Global, E. (2023, July 11). How to craft a powerful personal vision Statement. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-craft-powerful-
personal-vision-statement-eprglobal/

Harrington, B., & Hall, D. T. (2007). Career Management & Work-Life Integration: Using Self-Assessment to Navigate Contemporary
Careers. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483329345

McIntosh-Fletcher, D., & McIntosh-Fletcher, W. T. (2009). Realizing the promise of work: Work Alignment for Work of Lasting Value.

me3®: Major and Career Quiz | Arizona State University. (n.d.-b). https://yourfuture.asu.edu/me3

Olayemi, F. S. (2024, March 26). Developing a personal mission statement to guide your career
path. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/developing-personal-mission-statement-guide-your-path-samuel-olayemi/

Personality Test - free and scientifically valid Big Five personality test. (n.d.). https://www.123test.com/personality-test/

Reframing Leadership final. (n.d.). Formsite. http://fs25.formsite.com/josseybass/form29/index.html