Ogl 482 Module 4 Thematic Analysis
Ogl 482 Module 4 Thematic Analysis
Ogl 482 Module 4 Thematic Analysis
Analysis: 10 Patterns
to Pave the Way
Kylee Knighten
April 9th 2022
OGL482
Robert Wilson
Introduction
The following slides will illustrate 10 patterns throughout my life that can be used to strengthen my leadership skills, home in on
career options and ultimately reach personal and professional goals. My patterns demonstrate personal values, opportunities and
context into how I’ve matured as a professional adult. While collecting this data the overarching theme I recognized was my love for
my family and the passion I have for success.
Research Process and Methods
Data 4.
to expand on the why behind each item.
Life Story Personal Narrative (LSPN)- An autobiography
written from my childhood to present day, that
Sources
highlights obstacles and moments of growth and the
individuals who made an impact in my life along the
way.
5. Kuder Assessments- An assessment platform including
the below assessments to evaluate current professional
values and interests and the career they best associate
with.
- Kuder Career Interests Assessment® (KC)
- Kuder Skills Confidence Assessment® (KS)
- Super’s Work Values Inventory-revised (KV)
6. Career Anchors Assessment (CAA)- This assessment
distinguished between career needs of high and low
priority to in turn make intelligent career choices.
7. Life Design Submission (LDS)- The purpose of this
assignment was to take total control of your life, reflecting
on where you are today and where you want to be. I was asked
to design the life I want to live and strategize how to get
there. There are 2 exercises used as supporting data.
Data
The first is a Life Satisfaction Chart (LSC) and the second is a
Values exercise (VE).
8. Module 6 Paper Diversity (M6D)-This is a paper I wrote
from OGL 350 Diversity and Organizations. The papers
Sources
required I read the given materials and describe insights or
reminders gained from the reading.
9. WorkStyle Pattern Inventory Full Report (WSP)- This
cont.
excerise took information from my preferred workstyle
and my actual work style to help address the question: “How do
I contribute in this ever-evolving world of work?”
10. Life History Interview Part 2 (LHI)- An interview conducted
in OGL 343 to explore influential experiences related
to teamwork, leadership and mentoring.
11. INDIGO Assessment- (IA)- A tool used to explore
motivators, career skills and gain self awareness.
My 10 Themes
The following slides are 10 themes that illustrate my strengths, values and preferences both
personally and professionally. They are each followed with concrete evidence that support and
clearly demonstrate each theme. A couple of the themes are supported with contradictory data. All
supporting data aim to refine a career choice and path that best suites my lifestyle.
Theme 1: Leadership
• Theme Statement: I am most fulfilled when I am in a leadership position and have naturally gravitated towards these roles
throughout my career.
• Support:
• I ended up working my way up in management at Nordstrom, having several different leadership roles while I attended a few
different community colleges taking a few too many breaks in between. Eventually I stopped going to school and decided to
pursue my career at Nordstrom. (LSPN)
• I held leadership positions in five different departments and while there was a huge sense of accomplishment in each new
role, I never felt fulfilled. (LSPN)
• My primary career anchor is stability, security and organizational identity, essentially these are broken down into two
different categories; those who are focused on location and those who are focused on stability of employment.(CAA)
• My secondary career anchor is managerial competence. “The key montivations 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 and a long- term opportunity for
high income and estate-building” (CAA)
Theme 1: Leadership cont.
• Contradicting:
• “Even though individuals like you with an Independent Worker approach to work may be
excellent managers of one’s own work and projects those of you with this preference may
tend to be inpatient with and even critical of the work of others whose standards differ,”
(WSP p.7)
• Reflection:
• There is debate whether leadership is a skill that can be taught or if it inheritently is a skill
that individuals are born with. While I do believe that leadership can be taught and practiced,
I firmly believe leaders run in my family. Every. Adult figure I was raised around has held a
leadership position during my life. These qualities have been embedded in me since
childhood.
Theme 2: Health
• Theme Statement: Having a healthy work life balance is very important to me.
• Support:
• LDS(LSC)- The goal of this exercise was to rate how satisfied I am with my current life. At the time I was working at Nordstrom and my retail schedule did not
allow me to spend time with my family on the weekends or holidays. I gave the my family relationships a 1 symbolizing being completely dissatisfied.
• LDS (VE)- Listing my top values that are the foundation for my life path. The first three values listed all involving spending quality time with family and
schedule flexibility.
• IE- My roles have shown me a great deal about myself. One quality being that I am a natural leader and get pleasure from helping others. I care about
meaningful relationships and affection because of the relationships I have with my family.
• WSP- page 4: “most enjoy work environments that include-flexible work structure”
• IE- “My roles are prioritized by importance. My family comes first so I am a daughter and a sister above all other roles. If they need me, I am there; I make
time to go to my parents’ house to visit my family.”
• IE- “I am a firm believer in you making time for things that are a priority to you.”
Theme 2: Health cont.
• Contradictions:
I didn’t not find any data containing contradictions but I do think that working
at Nordstrom for so many years was a direct contradiction to my ideal lifestyle. I
was asked to work holidays and most weekends I would not get home until after
11pm.
• Reflection:
I’ve learned that my strong relationships with family require me to have a
career that allows me to spend time with them. There are certain
professions that require a lot of traveling or an inconsistent schedule, both of
which do not add to my joy.
Theme 3: Father
• Contradictions:
• I am very similar to my father both personally and professionally. We share the same
sense of humor and work ethic, because of this I was not able to find any
contradictions.
• Reflection:
• My father has always played a large role in my life. I am fortunate to have such a
close relationship with him over the years. I was raised by my parents to put my
family first and always work hard in everything you do. I turn to my father as a voice
of reason when making decisions because I trust his judgement. I hope to have the
same impact on my children one day.
Theme 4: Team
• Contradictions:
• WSP- Preferred workstyle is independent worker to manage own work. The
assessment identifies me as someone who prefers to work independently rather
than in a team setting. I found this to be contradictory to several other assessments
taken and my general work preferences.
• Reflection:
• I genuinely enjoy seeing other succeed. It is such a great feeling knowing you helped
an individual reach their goals. My influence on a team impacts their performance.
As a leader it is my responsibility to ensure moral is high and the team is productive
in the most efficient way possible.
Theme 5: Money
• Contradiction:
• Kuder- The work values assessment did not list income as one of my top values. The
three values were coworkers, lifestyle and supervision. None of which reflect that
income is of any importance to my in my profession.
• Reflection:
• I have never considered money to be a large influence on my decision making or a goal
of mine until recently. As I’ve matured, I understand the value of money and while, yes, it
does not always buy happiness its still needed to live a comfortable life. My goal is to
become a homeowner in San Diego, California, one of the most expensive states in the
country. In order to do this my income matters.
Theme 6: Relationship
• Contradiction:
• LSPN- Not telling my parents about being put on academic probation by San
Diego State.
• Reflection
• Transparency has become such a large part of my life professionally. On a daily
basis I am educating my clients and team on processes and procedure. All of
which require me to be fully open and honest about changes within the team
and company. In my personal life honesty leads to me having respect for others.
Theme 7: Organization
• Contradiction:
• There was a conflicting difference between work actual and organizational preference.
When this assessment was taken over a year ago I was working at Nordstrom where my
manager was very unorganized and according to the WSP assessment this was tolerable
for me.
• Reflection:
• When my work environment is organized, I am more efficient. I will take the extra time to
clean up my workspace before leaving for the day. Organization is represented in my
personal life as well, from closet spaces to the coffee mugs and spices in the kitchen. I
am all about working efficiently and staying organized helps with that.
Theme 8: Risk
• Contradiction:
• I was not able to find any contradicting evidence to this theme. I like to stay organized
and make informed decisions when change comes about.
• Reflection:
• Regardless of the risk or the outcome its important to incorporate it in your life. In my
professional career I have asked my team for suggestions on various projects, its
calculated risks. In my personal life I am learning to take more risks. He biggest thus far
is represented in the LSPN where I discuss moving to Arizona. I made the decision to
move and once my mind was set on it I did it. While it was hard moving away from all
of my family and friends, I am strengthening my independence and growing as a
person.
Theme 9: Self-Confidence
• Contradiction:
• KS- “I am in no way confident in my mathematical or scientific skills.” Knowing your
strengths and weaknesses is a great asset to have and supports being self aware.
• Reflection:
• Confidence is not something I’ve ever had to struggle with. Growing up I was confident in
myself as well as my academic skills. My parents raised me to walk with my head held
high and to not be ashamed to admit your faults or opportunities of growth. I think the
more open you are about your weaknesses the more of an opportunity you give yourself
to improve them.
Theme 10: Responsibility
• Contradiction:
• WSP- “Lack of sensitivity to others’ needs, especially if they conflict with your
own goals and course of action”
• Reflection:
• I was raised to have a sense of purpose in your life and to take care of those
around you. I am the oldest of 5 and being in a position of responsibility and
taking care of my siblings is how I spent my childhood. I plan to raise my children
the same way, having a sense of obligation and holding them accountable for
helping each other and those around them when they can.
My Personal • Vision Statement:
• I take life as an everchanging experience,