THEMATIC ANALYSIS

SEAN CONNLEY
OGL 482
11.10.2023
DR. ANDI HESS
INTRODUCTION

This presentation represents a collection of the principles that have been significant to me in both my
personal and professional journey. By employing coding, I identified and highlighted these themes,
shedding light on what holds true importance for me. Armed with these guiding principles, I intend to
inform my future choices in both my professional and personal spheres.
DATA SOURCES

The following compilation consists of materials gathered during my time at Arizona State University while
pursuing my Organizational Leadership degree. These sources illustrate my progression as I honed my
leadership abilities, showcasing the development of my skill sets over time.
DATA SOURCES
• Three Questions by Michael Himes (3Q’s) – This Yellowdig submission
asked pointed questions to better understand who we are as leaders
and reflect on important questions regarding correct pursuits.
• Values checklist/Identities Exercise (VC) – This Yellowdig submission
required us to identify key values we associate as important in our
daily lives. We then reflect on those meaning and how those values
shaped our views of the world.
• Values and Dreams (VD) – This exercise had us explore our dreams
and desires to connect underlying meanings.
• Self-Assessment (SA) – This self-assessment serves as a reflection
to the Kuder assessments completed in Unit 1, as well as
additional assessments taken throughout my Organizational
Leadership journey.
• Interviews with Significant Others (ISO) - This essay focused on the
perception of my leadership abilities from outside sources. I sat
with people I hold in high regard from my personal and
professional lives to see how they perceived my leadership
abilites.
• Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaire (MFL) – This assignment was a
collection of questionnaires evaluating your current opinions on a range of
topics to better understand my leadership style. Sourced from OGL 300.
• Self-Assessment of Situational Theory Questionnaire (ST) –This
assessment was designed to evaluate my opinions on leadership traits and
how I would react in certain leadership situations. Sourced from OGL 300.
• Self-Assessment of Team and Gender-Leader Implicit Bias Questionnaire
(GLIB) – This assessment is a written acknowledgment of the thoughts
that I have collected about my work environment at the time. Sourced
from OGL 300. Sourced from OGL 300.
• What Matter’s Most (WMM) – This exercise required each of us to
evaluate what matters most to us and how we maintain them. In a table
format, presenting how much time we spend on each, how much money
we delegate, and if we are focusing enough on each. Sourced from
OGL360.
• Life Design (LD) – This exercise utilized the simple approach of breaking
down fundamental areas of personal goals, life experiences, and personal
values to articulate a path for a successful future. Sourced from OGL340.
• Artist Award (AA) – In 2015, I was awarded the most artistic student in
Tulare County. This award spanned thousands of student nominees and
only given once a year.
THEME 1: I VALUE PASSION
Theme statement

Data Sources Contradictory Evidence

- Before I was promoted to my current Director role and was taking 3 courses at a time for my Nowhere in my data points or self-reflection do I
Organizational Leadership degree, I focused heavily on developing my art collection. An aspiring not lead with passion. I do not see the need to
dream is to complete a full collection and hold an art exhibition. I hope to revisit this goal after waste time on something I am not passionate
completing my degree. (WMM) about.
- Goal 1: Feel a true passion for the job that I am performing because it should be a stepping-stone
to the career that I want to devote my life too. (LD)
- Action item: Spend time finding meaning in my work to spark passion (LD)
- Action item: Set clear goals and challenges to create a sense of purpose (LD)
- A passion I recently discovered is to design Theme park attractions for studios like Disney Co.
(VD)

Reflection
I have never been one to be driven by financial goals. My creative passion has always led to my best performance at work and in life. I will always lead with
passion or else I do not see the need to waste the limited amount of time on this earth without it.
THEME 2: I VALUE CREATIVITY
Theme statement

Data Sources Contradictory Evidence

- As a creative, I was prone to notice the artistically focused questions. This mindset led to my results Nowhere in my data points or self-reflection do I
having art as the primary interest. (SA) ignore creativity in my professional or personal life.
- My current leadership role is Creative Director at a healthcare start-up organization focusing on
advanced technologies in the functional meditation and ophthalmic industry. (SA)
- My soul talent is art and have always led with that skill in my identity (VD)
- Awarded my artistic student in Tulare County, 2015 (AA)
- Represents a class of students who lead with passion for art and influence in the creative industries
(AA)

Reflection
I have always found a unique identity in my creative skills and I enjoy being known for my talents. I believe that everyone is gifted with a unique identity and how
we use it is important. As a leader in the creative space, I push myself to be the best leader in growing other creative’s skills and confidence in their work.
THEME 3: FAMILY
Theme statement

Data Sources Contradictory Evidence

- The things that matter most to me are my personal health and the health of my loved ones (WMM) In the past, I neglected the importance of family to
- I do believe that I invest enough time, money, and energy towards this matter. Some would say too focus on personal successes. This mindset has
much! (WMM) changed but is still apart of my personal growth.
- I perform bi-monthly travel to various states across the country throughout the year to maintain (ISO)
healthy relationships with family members (WMM)
- Action item: Surrounding myself with those who what the best for me (LD)
- A large driver of my creative achievements make my parents proud. I may not be a doctor, but I am
an accomplished artist. (AA)

Reflection
Though I have been driven to succeed in my personal career, I have recently grown to recognize the importance of family. I structured my priorities to take an
ample amount of time for my relationships with my family members. Just as they dedicated their lives to my successes, I strive to provide the same for them.
THEME 4: I VALUE RESPECT
Theme statement

Data Sources Contradictory Evidence

- I pride myself on being a leader that allows my team members to have a voice and be heard, Nowhere in my data points or self-reflection do I
even if I do not agree with their opinions. This grows strength and trust in each other which can not lead with respect. I have been on the receiving
translate to successful project outcomes. (SA) end of disrespect in the workplace and will never
- Grow respect for myself by devoting time to better myself in ways like rest, reflection, and be that influence on my teammates.
meditation. (LD)
- Solves problems through empathy, helping others to succeed, and seeking mutuality. (MFL)
- It is important to lead with empathy in negative situations for team members (ST)
- working in a organization that is led by a CEO who does not recognize respect for team
members, It is my goal to provide respect for my team. (GLIB)

Reflection
I have always understood that it does not harm your position or leadership presence by providing everyone with respect. I have unfortunately been a victim of a
leader who provided no respect to their employees and it only harmed them. This experience reinforced my leadership style to always provide others with the
respect I wish to receive.
THEME 5: ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAITS
Theme statement

Data Sources Contradictory Evidence

- But this assessment does provide important insight to the fact that I value entrepreneurial Lower level management requires a follower
opportunities in my career and lead with a critical thinking mentality in my work. (SA) mentality to complete designated tasks. This is still
- Grow my network with mentor type roles to help me grow in my career. (LD) present in my leadership roles. (ISO)
- Interest in activities that include working to achieve economic gain as well as personal or
organizational goals. (SA)
- I have been the person the does not hold a lot of knowledge about a task but does have a lot of
enthusiasm to do well and learn. (ST)
- Understanding the value in my unique artistic voice creates a financially lucrative commodity.
(AA)

Reflection
These course assessments have reinforced my confidence in my entrepreneurial traits. This has always been apart of my independence as an artist but was never
at the forefront of my skillset. I am excited to keep exploring this aspect of my leadership traits to better lead my teams.
THEME 6: STRUCTURE
Theme statement

Data Sources Contradictory Evidence

-Solves problems by following established rules, practices, and procedures and by looking to Structure is needed in an organizational setting but
authorities for advice and counsel” (SA) is the downfall of creative exploration. I rebuke
- Marketing is not about the personal opinions of the internal staff or the executive team. It is structure in my independent creative process.
about the customer/targeted audience. (SA) (3Q’s)
- Confident in computational, clerical, and business system skills. (MFL)
- In an organizational environment, I value structure to ensure a higher rate of success. (VD)
- Creative marketing is reliant on structural data to understand what will best connect with the
target audience (VD)

Reflection
Structure is a required asset in a successful organization and team project. The ability to solve problems by following developed procedures streamlines
operations to successful outcomes. This mentality keeps the world functioning and keeps my life organized so that I can lead with a clear direction.
THEME 7: INDEPENDENCY
Theme statement

Data Sources Contradictory Evidence

- The majority of artists would identify as independent to develop their own personal creative voice and I do look for guidance and collaboration from team
to maintain power over a creative project. It is very difficult for me to relinquish control of a creative members on the development of cross-department
material to another when I have worked to develop this creative for many weeks or months. (SA) projects for confirmation of the quality of my work.
- To those who are not exposed to the inner workings of our organization, they thought your work was (SA)
done by a team of 10 people. (ISO)
- Rely on my own creative voice to reach personal achievements and make waves in the creative industry.
(AA)
- I have reached personal achievements and artistic styles that have provided me my current leadership
roles because of my independent voice (3Q’s)
- As a shy artistic child, I relied on my independence to find my own artistic voice and grow as an
individual for other artists to follow. (3Q’s)

Reflection
As a leader, It is difficult to enter a project with an independent mindset. This is where the creative aspect of my skills blends with my leadership role and
understanding of where these aspects of my job are organized. By using my independence in creative development, I provide the best outcomes for my team to
build from and learn to develop their own independent voices.
THEME 8: PERFECTIONIST TRAITS
Theme statement

Data Sources Contradictory Evidence

- Throughout this program at ASU, I have taken multiple assessments and found that I do have a Nowhere in my data points or self-reflection do I
tendency to be a perfectionist, and that need has translated to striving for leadership roles. This not lead with a perfectionist mentality. This is a
goal allows me to perform projects at a level that I know is needed and can be done with my core factor of my personality and cannot be
team members using appropriate leadership tactics. (SA) subdued even if I tried.
- As a creative leader, an artist will never be done with his work. But in business, a perfect
creative campaign is necessary. This is a focus area of my work. (3Q’s)
- Reaching the best result in my daily projects is a standard that I always strive to obtain. (VC)
- This is a personal trait that is unavoidable for me, so I try to use it to my advantage in my
professional performance. (VC)
- As a leader, I am always presenting our team with the goal of perfection. (VC)

Reflection
Perfectionism is a trait found in many artists because it drives us to continue evolving our craft and produce the best end result. This attribute can be a crutch to
many but I strive to make it a benefit for reaching the results as a leader. This has provided my team with great results in my professional career and personal
life.
THEME 9: QUALITY PERFORMANCE
Theme statement

Data Sources Contradictory Evidence

- 60 hours a week dedicated to performing well at Work (WMM) After I just told you to become more patient, I think
- Goal 2: Find time to continue educational growth in my career field. If I want to be the you can still work on that. I think that you could
best at what I do, I always want to be learning about new innovations in the industry. work on gaining more experience with your
(LD) vendors and patience with your vendors. (ISO)
- Continue working on the self-confidence to believe that I can achieve what I dream as
my ideal career. (LD)
- What you created is now the standard. (ISO)
- Your talents have become respected enough that it is not questioned as often or hardly
questioned. (ISO)

Reflection
Investing 60 hours a week at work, I prioritize quality performance. As I dedicate time to ongoing educational growth, building self-confidence, and setting
standards in my field, I recognize that my talents are earning respect and becoming integral to the industry.
THEME 10: LEADERSHIP ROLE
Theme statement

Data Sources Contradictory Evidence

- 3 hours daily (4-5 days weekly) dedicated to completing my Organization Leadership degree You can better contribute to the team by
(WMM) developing cross-functional collaboration. (ISO)
- You have become strong at leading the development of new projects and launching new projects.
(ISO)
- I think this comes from the collaboration of both your dedication to your and the experience in
your job that you've gained over the last year two years has boosted your confidence that you have
become a stronger leader. (ISO)
- You have moved from a tactical development of receiving direction rule to the ability to lead the
project creatively and initiate and lead projects with autonomy (ISO)
- I always work to be a supportive leader for others because when they succeed, we all succeed. (ST)

Reflection
Devoting 3 hours daily, 4-5 days a week, to my Organizational Leadership degree has fortified my leadership journey. Leading project development and launches,
I've transitioned from receiving direction to creatively spearheading projects autonomously, fueled by the belief that supporting others is the key to collective
success.
VISION STATEMENT
“In this short life I lead, I will work to emulate true passion through creativity to positively
effect culture, my personal health, and those I love.”

The process I used to develop this mission statement was from the assignment “Life Design”, sourced from OGL340. An exercise that used
key impressions of my life to develop core attributes for my vision statement. By simply listing what is important to me, what values guide
my life, and what beliefs inform my behavior, I could key the fundamental vision statement. “Consider how you spend your time and
money; your review provides helpful clues that help you identify what you value. Compare what you "say" you value and how you
actually spend your time and money- the process provides a "reality check." Are the words you speak in alignment with what you are
doing?”
MISSION STATEMENT
“My personal mission statement is to use my creativity, honesty, and loyalty to create, work,
and love so that I can graduate, achieve professional success, and spend more time with those
I love.”

The process I used to develop this mission statement was from the assignment “Life Design”, sourced from OGL340. An exercise that used
key impressions of my life to develop core attributes for my mission statement. This included reflecting on my best qualities, the most
important things I do, and what are the main goals I would like to achieve in the near future. This provided guidelines for breaking down a
large task. Forcing myself to isolate the three most important factors in my life provided me clarity on what truly matters in reaching a joy
in this short life. It is easy to be distracted by what culture tells you to put value on.
CONCLUSION

Having compiled this presentation on my core themes, I gained clarity on my life priorities and passions.
While I've likely been aware of them all along, the process of articulating and emphasizing these themes
through coding during my pursuit of an Organizational Leadership degree was truly enlightening. The
journey toward leadership is changing, and I take pride in my progress, attributing much of it to the
prominence of these themes in my life.
RESOURCES

Big five personality test. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.123test.com/ personality-test/

Kuder Assessments. (October 19, 2021). Retrieved from https://journey.kuder.com/my-assessments/my-

assessment-results