Overview
In Reframing Organizations, Bolman and Deal suggest four distinct frames for understanding organizational situations and identify corresponding leadership challenges within each of those frames. According to these authors, “learning to apply all four deepens (our) appreciation and understanding of organizations” (p. 15).
The Structural Frame is compared to a factory or machine where the image of leadership is akin to ‘social architecture’. People are organized, and groups are structured and attuned to task, technology, and environment.
The Human Resources Frame is compared to a family where the focus is on relationships. The leadership challenge in this frame is to align organizational goals with human needs.
The Political Frame is compared to a jungle and is about power and conflict. At an organizational level, the leadership focus is on building coalitions and expanding the power base. The Political Frame is activated when there is a scarcity of resources, time, people or money.
The Symbolic Frame is compared to a carnival, temple, or theatre. Central concepts within this frame include, culture, meaning, metaphor, ritual, ceremony, stories, and heroes. The leadership challenge within this frame is fundamentally about creating faith, beauty, and meaning.
Reframing Organizations offers another approach for deepening our understanding of what we “see” in our organizations, particularly during times of change.
As you reflect on the four frames, consider which frame offers a potential frame of leverage in your change initiative.
As Bolman & Deal (2003) offer, “it can be enormously liberating to realize there is always more than one way to respond to any problem or dilemma. Those who master the ability to reframe, report a liberating source of choice and power” (p. 17).
Activities and Assessment
- Review assigned readings and resources for Unit 7
- Activity 1: Complete Four Frames Leadership Questionnaire
- Activity 2: Participate in Four Frames of Leadership online discussion forum
Activity 2: Four Frames forum
Reflect on the Four Frames Leadership Questionnaire. Consider the four frames offered by Bolman and Deal, and consider the following reflective questions:
- Which frame is most familiar to you?
- Which frame feels most unfamiliar?
- Which frame do you believe offers the greatest possibility for positive change?
- Which frame is underutilized in your organization? What one step might you take to leverage that frame more fully?
By Wednesday post your initial substantive post to the Unit 7: Four Frames of Leadership discussion forum