The Themes of My Life

Christopher Allen Duree

April 7, 2024
OGL 482
Trista Guzman
Introduction
The process of creating this thematic analysis involved gathering evidence from
various sources including current and past coursework, taking assessments and tests,
and reviewing past awards and certifications. Commonalities in the coursework and
assessments led to the grouping of similar sections into codes. These codes were
analyzed and split into ten themes that describe my personal and professional life.

My approach to forming these themes was to capture elements that represented my

values and interests. While I generally know what these are, I used the found
evidence and reoccurring evidence in the material to guide the creation of the
themes. These themes, such as Family and Professional Achievement, are the things
that motivate me to be a great leader and a great family man. This process benefits
me by giving me opportunity to analyze and reflect upon past experience and goals,
and to clarify my mission and vision.
My Data Sources
Most of the data sources for this thematic analysis come in the form of assessment
tools and personality tests. These include: the Big 5 Personality Test, Kuder’s Career
Interests and Skills Confidence assessments, Super’s Work Values Assessment,
Arizona State University's “Me 3 Major and Career Quiz”, and the DiSC Personality
Test, among others. In addition to these personal assessment tools, I have included
evidence from discussion board posts, past leadership reflections, and an
achievement award from my time in the military.
Data Sources
• Leader Identity Narrative (LIN)-Arizona State University Course: OGL 482 Pro-Seminar II. In this reflective narrative I went over my chronological
development as a leader from early childhood until the present. I detailed and reflected on my inspirations and influences, my values, and my growth as
a leader.
• DISC Personality Test (DISC)-Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. A personality assessment that helped me determine where I
fit in the four provided personality styles.
• Kuder Career Interests Assessment (KCI)-Career assessment tool intended to help explore interests and match users with career paths. Assessment is
facilitated by rating a level of interest on various activities.
• Kuder Skills Confidence Assessment (KSC)-An assessment that evaluates users current confidence in their ability to perform certain tasks. Helps
focus existing competencies into potential career paths.
• Super’s Work Values Inventory-revised (SWV)-An assessment designed to help identify focus on work values. Captures diverse preferences through
a rating style of response to different prompts. Provides valuable information in understanding individual priorities and workplace preferences.
• Motivation and Career Anchors Assessment (MCAA)-Assessment and tool that identifies values, motives, and areas of competence and provides a
score in different career competencies.
• Me 3 Major and Career Quiz (Me3)-Arizona State University’s Me 3 Major and Career Quiz which helps future and current students identify good
potential fits for educational majors and professional careers.
• Big 5 Self-Assessment (Big5)-Assessment and choice test addressing various situations. Helps evaluate personality traits of openness, Extroversion,
Conscientiousness, agreeableness, and natural reactions.
• Yellowdig Three Questions (3Qs) by Michael Himes (3Qs)-OGL 482 Pro-Seminar II Yellowdig group discussion. Prompted to answer Father Michael
Himes three questions: What brings me joy? What am I good at? Who does the world need me to be?
• OGL 300 Leadership Reflections (300LR)-A series of leadership reflections from the Arizona State University course: OGL 300 Theory and Practice
of Leadership.
• United States Air Force Achievement Medal (USAFAM)-I was awarded my third United States Air Force Achievement Medal in February of 2018.
This award was given for distinguished performance during a critical Nuclear Surety Inspection resulting in my Wing’s rating of “Outstanding
Performance”.
My 10 Themes
Join me now as I present the ten major themes of my life. I will provide references
to the evidence in support of my theme choices, as well as evidence that shows
contradiction to them. For each theme I will provide a reflection that takes into
account how the topic has impacted my life, and how I balance or attempt to
improve in each area.
Theme 1: Professional Achievement
• Theme Statement: A critical theme in my life is my constant strive for professional achievement. From my late teens where I operated my own
business, to military service, and now leadership roles, I have always looked forward to accomplishing goals and earning my next position. I value hard
work, dedication, and the attention to detail that is needed in order to grow professionally in any work environment.

• Supporting Data:
• Awarded for exceptional performance during a critical inspection. Led a team of six through multiple high-level tasks. (USAFAM)
• Rated highest values as “Achievement” and “Prestige” (SWV)
• Detailed my enjoyment for leading teams, solving complex problems, and accomplishing goals. (300LR)
• Scored highest in Dominance with a rating of 49%. Results-oriented and competitive. (Big5)
• Rated highest in Managerial Competence. Motivated in advancement up the corporate ladder to higher levels of responsibility, and growing
opportunities and involvement. (MCAA)

• Contradictory Evidence: I don’t have any contradictory evidence for my theme of Professional Achievement. I believe that this is a result of my early
interest in a military career. From childhood I had always envisioned working my way up the ranks in a military branch and having a lifelong career. My
dreams were cut short due to a medical injury, but my passion for organizational growth still remains.

• Reflection: My fascination with leadership and organizational success has guided my actions in life from childhood. I have always been interested in
great military leaders, historical civilizations and organizations, and successful endeavors. I have quickly rose through the ranks of both my military and
civilian occupations, and often find myself in a leadership role or with increased responsibility. I operate within an organization as if I was running my
own small business and take time to strategize towards completing goals. I find that I am at my best when I am challenged or when I have others
depending on my direction or input. I value my organizational title, achievement, and progress very highly.
Theme 2: Family
• Theme Statement: Everything I do is in an effort to improve the quality of life and opportunities for my family. My focus used to be solely
on myself, but after getting married and having a child, all of my priorities have shifted to the safety, security, and well-being of family that I
have created. In addition to my immediate family, I am highly focused on supporting and interacting with my parents, siblings, and other
relatives.
• Supporting Data:
• Enjoy being surrounded by family and friends and spending time with them. (3Qs)
• Tough childhood where I had to be responsible for and take care of younger siblings. (LIN)
• Prepared siblings for life’s challenges, supported them when able and acted as both a mentor and team member. (LIN)
• Set aside personal needs and goals in order to care for family members who needed assistance.
(LIN)
• Sited my grandfather’s actions and family caring as a inspiration for myself. (300LR)
• Contradictory Evidence: My lowest score in the Motivation and Career Anchors Assessment (MCAA) was “Life-Style Integration”. On
paper I seem to value my position and accomplishments over dedicating quality time out of work to recover and spend time with others.
• Reflection: I believe that I highly value my relationship and time spent with family. My family gives me a purpose and a reason to
continually improve. While I don’t always prioritize family, I do prioritize the well-being of my family always. I feel that my low score in
life-style integration is a result of making sacrifices to further improve my households financial position and create new opportunities. While
financial success is not everything, I believe that it enables a certain quality of life that I wish to give to my immediate family that I did no
have as a child.
Theme 3: Problem Solving
• Theme Statement: I take pride in my ability to solve complex problems, find creative solutions, and accomplish hard tasks.
• Supporting Data:
• Experience and success with formulating project plans working in logistic operations. (300LR)
• Led team who achieved top sales revenue in the company. (LIN)
• Utilized professional connections to remove roadblocks and solve for inefficiencies. (LIN)
• High scores in Managerial Competence and Technical/Functional Competence. (MCAA)
• Good at creating out of the box solutions to complex problems. (3Qs)
• Contradictory Evidence: Middle to high score in Natural Reactions on the Big 5 Personality Test. (Big5) This means I may experience
negative emotional reactions and feelings of anxiety, I am prone to worry, and that I can get easily upset. I am also clinically diagnosed with
anxiety.
• Reflection: I feel my best when I am challenged, have a purpose, and a ultimately have a need to accomplish something like a task or goal.
When a problem presents itself in the way of those goals I am given a reason to perform and give my attention and effort. I do often feel
anxious about starting a task or tackling a large problem, but I am calmed by making progress and reflecting on accomplished steps. While
my natural reaction can get in the way, I feel that I still have a strong natural ability to find solutions. With a technical background,
mechanical aptitude, and diverse professional experience, I feel able and ready to take on whatever the next challenge may be.
Theme 4: Teamwork and Coordination
• Theme Statement: I enjoy being part of a team, not just as a leader, but as a contributing member and peer supporter. I am comfortable
working in a team environment and do my best work when I am able to discuss strategy and options with others.
• Supporting Data:
• High rating in Technical/Functional Competence. Makes valuable contributions to project. (MCAA)
• Middle range on Big 5 Personality Test for extraversion. Outgoing, friendly, and likes working with others. (Big5)
• Values social connections and creating and maintaining relationships in the workplace. (SWV)
• Practices listening to concerns and building functional relationships. (300LR)
• Learned to care for team and win or lose as a group (LIN)

• Contradictory Evidence: Low Score in Agreeableness on the Big 5 Personality Test, meaning skeptical, pride, and a preference of
competition over co-operation.
• Reflection: I find that while I do enjoy working as part of a team, I can sometimes be less open towards changing my opinion or approach. I
tend to stay rooted in my beliefs and look for ways to convince others of my position. I think that this may be a result of my confidence in
problem solving and as a by-product of being in charge in past leadership positions. It is important for me to remember how to be a quality
contributing team member and remain open to new methods, ideas, and approaches.
Theme 5: Servant Leadership
• Theme Statement: In leadership roles, I typically try to act in service to others while maintaining a technical and direct approach. I grade my
own performance on the performance and success of those who I lead. I look past organizational needs and position myself as a resource to
my team.
• Supporting Data:
• The world needs me to be a listening ear and helping hand for people in need. (3Qs)
• Enjoys being in service of others and representing and defending those who cannot protect themselves. (3Qs)
• Removed roadblocks of team members to improve performance and increase quality of life. (LIN)
• Put needs of siblings before my own, provided for them where needed. (LIN)
• Assisted team member with personal finance planning and created a success plan. (300LR)

• Contradictory Evidence: No evidence against servant leadership. I believe this to be in the nature of the assessments and their focus which
does not necessary account for different leadership styles. There have been times in my life where I have not taken the time to serve those
who follow me, but I view those as low points in my leadership journey.
• Reflection: Enjoy being of service to others, making a meaningful difference, and being used as a resource when possible. I have a wide
professional skillset and experience in many different industries and environments. I try to use that experience as a tool to assist team
members, followers, and friends. If I have the ability to help someone in need I will typically do so. Some of the best experience that I have
had as a leader have come from helping someone through hard times, get back on their feet, or through enabling them to accomplish more.
Theme 6: Security and Stability
• Theme Statement: I don’t enjoy constant or abrupt change, and would prefer security and stability. From living conditions, financial
planning, career advancement, and other aspects of my life, I like to have a stability and control.
• Supporting Data:
• High conventional rating in the Kuder Career Interests Assessment. Solves problems using established rules, practices, and procedures
(KCI)
• Higher score for security, stability, and organizational identity. (MCAA)
• Low range to Openness to experience,. Traditionalists, practical, and conservative. (Big5)
• Goal of finding a career opportunity with a larger organization. (300LR)
• Values a stable career and steady career progression. (300LR)

• Contradictory Evidence: Scored in the low range for Security in the Super’s Work Values Inventory-revised assessment. I believe that I
scored low in security when compared to achievement, prestige, income, and creativity, because I understand that taking risks is sometimes
necessary for advancement.
• Reflection: I have not always valued stability as much as I do now, but becoming a husband and father has changed my priorities. I can’t take
the same types of risks or shocks to the system now that I once could have. As I grow older, and more responsible for other, I must take
calculated risks, and have prepared contingencies. Being in risky and unsteady situations leaves my anxiety and worry about the future
condition of my family. I am currently looking for more stable employment and income because of this reason.
Theme 7: Creativity
• Theme Statement: I value creative expression, outside the box approaches to problems, and the ability to personalize my team member and
leadership contribution. Creative solutions offer fresh and often better approaches to completing tasks. Without creativity there is too little
room for change to be made.
• Supporting Data:
• Medium-high score for creativity. (SWV)
• Second highest rating was Entrepreneurial Creativity. Motivation to overcome obstacles, courage to take rusks, and desire for
recognition. (MCAA)
• Interested in creative investigation. High score in investigative. (KCI)
• Left role due to strict parameters and lack of creativity. (LIN)
• Solved problem using multiple resources and connections. Found new method for staging and preparing teams. (LIN)

• Contradictory Evidence: Scored highest in Realistic and Conventional on the Kuder Skills Confidence assessment. Solves problems using
established guidelines and rules. Follows practical and structured solutions. I believe this comes from my technical background and attention
to detail. I don’t often take risks and am less open to new ideas, however, I do think of new and creative ways to solve problems when
appropriate and responsible.
• Reflection: My professional career so far has been serving in mostly highly technical roles where there was a strict process and set way of
accomplishing tasks and forming solutions. More and more I am being pulled towards creative roles where I have more control over a
finished product and the method used to complete it. I have left a job recently due to a lack of creativity, and am currently looking for
opportunities where I am able to have creative freedom. While I value stability there needs to be a level of creativity in order to help me stay
interested and involved.
Theme 8: Mentorship
• Theme Statement: Throughout my leadership journey I have had many amazing mentors and examples of both good and bad leadership. My
growth would be substantially less without these interactions and opportunities to learn. I value mentorship as a key to success, and view it as
my responsibility to give back to the next generation of leaders.
• Supporting Data:
• Cited mentor as a turning point in my leadership journey (300LR)
• Interview with mentor and leader led to refocus on life goals and career change. (300LR)
• Inspired to be a leader and serve others by grandfather and other mentors. (LIN)
• Lifelong learner through seeking mentorship and reflecting on failures and successes. (LIN)
• High score in Conventional. Seeks authorities for advice and counsel. (KSC)

• Contradictory Evidence: No evidence to suggest against Mentorship. I have always valued the input of others, the experiences that my
leaders had, and the feedback I have received. While not always agreeable, I have consistently sought feedback and advice from respected
mentors and family members.
• Reflection: I have held many various team-member and leadership roles over the last ten years, and I credit mentorship with my growth and
advancement for all of it. Without feedback, reflection, and conversation, I would have learned nothing and accomplished substantially less
than I have. It was talks with mentors that guided me towards the Organizational Leadership educational journey, helped me have positive
turning points, and remain on track as a young leader. I hope to one day be of service through mentorship to junior leaders, enabling them to
learn from my mistakes.
Theme 9: Attention to Detail
• Theme Statement: I have always been technically involved in problem solving and hands on when working with a team. I like to get my
hands dirty, but my focus and attention has always been on the finer aspects of a project, making sure that nothing is left unturned.
• Supporting Data:
• High score in Technical/Functional Competence. Produces highly effective work in a specialized field. (MCAA)
• Given suggested career of Inspector, specialist, or compliance manager. (Me3)
• Awarded for distinguished performance and technical compliance. (USAFAM)
• Handled thousands of pieces of equipment with great efficiency. (LIN)
• Managed complex logistics operation and coordinated large teams. (300LR)

• Contradictory Evidence: There is no contradictory evidence that shows a lack of attention or gaps in technical ability. I have always been a
by the book person and am able contribute positively to a project. I have found however that I sometimes become too task focused and less
aware of the big picture or total scope.
• Reflection: My mechanical aptitude and technical ability has landed me almost all of my past jobs. I have found my career progress to be
dictated by my ability to perform a task at a high level. I credit this to my quick advancement to leadership in many different roles. I know
that I may not always be the best fit for leadership, but I usually have high test scores, a good understanding of the process, and a track record
of quality performance. I sometimes feel like I would be a better team member than a leader as I would be able to focus more on what I know
the best. I need to learn how to keep a team on task without getting too involved to the point where other aspects start to fail like team
communication, social connections, and moral.
Theme 10: Work Ethic and Discipline
• Theme Statement: I am a highly motivated and hard working leader and team member. I try to pull more than my own weight, helping out
where I can and going above and beyond my assigned tasks. I motivate myself by trying to break previous records, find new more efficient
methods, and by trying to solve seemingly unsolvable or long standing problems.
• Supporting Data:
• High score in Conscientiousness. Disciplined, efficient, and well organized. (Big5)
• Technical/Functional Competence anchor. Highly motivated by content of own work. (MCAA)
• Pressed through adversity to find new method and increase efficiency. (LIN)
• Demonstrated high level of performance and discipline, climbed military ranks quickly. (LIN)
• Motived to work at leadership skillset and become more effective in my abilities to help others and solve for my own bad habits and
actions. (300LR)
• Contradictory Evidence: I do not have direct contradictory evidence towards work ethic and discipline. I scored very low in Openness to
experience on the Big 5 Personality Trait assessment, which I believe is due to my focus sometimes towards “just getting the job done”. In
this example my work ethic can sometimes get in the way of quality decision making and learning.
• Reflection: I am proud of all that I have accomplished through hard work and dedication to my previous organizations. I can look back at the
work I have done and feel like I made a difference in the outcome of various projects. I strive to help myself, my team, and my organization
meet its goals, and can always be counted on. I tend to sometimes be a slow starter when I am not interested in a task or the task is not being
performed in my preferred methods. I am not very agreeable and sometimes standoffish to new processes and procedures. This can lead to
me falling behind or even weighing my team down. I need to learn how to balance my dedication and hard work ethic with more reasoning,
understanding, and adaptation to change.
My Personal Vision Statement
I am in service to those who I am surrounded by and who follow me. I do
everything within my power to protect and provide for my family, my friends,
and my team.

Reflection: I took a look back at my themes and past reflections in order to

find what matters to me the most. My family and the friends I have made
along the way are always beside me. Regardless of my role, my title, or my
organization, I can always count on them to be there for me. I will always be
in support of those around me and will do everything in my power to protect
and provide for those who depend on me. I value the relationships I have
more than professional gain and will ensure that I never leave anyone behind.
My Personal Mission Statement
I will lead by example, providing support to those in need at all times. I will
share my successes and take ownership of my failures. I will be accepting of
criticism and make meaningful changes. I will always strive to be a caring
husband, a loving father, and a thoughtful friend.

Reflection: When looking at my goals for both my personal and professional

life, I want to be accomplished but not at the expense of having great
relationships and experiences. I will always be of service to those in need, and
make myself available to my family, friends, and co-workers. If I succeed in
areas of my life where others are left behind then I will consider that a failure.
I will rate my achievement by the accomplishments of the people around me.
Above everything I want to be a good human more than I want to be a good
entrepreneur or businessman.
Conclusion
Through this process of collecting evidence, identifying key aspects of the material,
evaluating assessment and test results, and reviewing past works and awards, I not
only solidified what matters to me most in life, but also made connections that I
otherwise would not have made. I now have a better understanding of my
motivators and the areas of my life that need improvement. The ten major themes of
my life work as a milestone for me to come back to and track my personal and
professional progression. The process of crafting my vision and mission statement
has helped me align my goals, and remain on track to be the best husband, father,
and friend that I can be. I plan to use this project as tool for motivation, future
planning, choosing a my
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