OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Political Frame Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the political frame
2. Apply the political frame to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

I am a middle-tier manager for the organization and am in charge of the mobility and
deployment function of my work center. My primary focus is to ensure my personnel are
trained and deployed across the Pacific providing logistics support in conjunction with
humanitarian/disaster relief efforts and military needs. While in garrison I also manage
the administrative actions for my work center to include disciplinary actions, personnel
actions such as engaging with the finance office for incorrect pay, and general personnel
paperwork.

The issue is that I have two bosses I report to, one located in Alaska with me and one in
Hawaii. My work center’s primary purpose is to support the deployments/work trips
tasked by my Hawaii boss but while at home my team provides parachute rigging support
to aircrews in Alaska on behalf of my Alaska boss. My Hawaii boss seldom notifies my
Alaska boss of deployments/work trips and my Alaska boss often finds out about them at
the last minute from me before heading on the road. This leads to a reduction in airdrop
support that is unplanned which strains the relationship with the aircrew squadrons. My
Alaska boss then has to communicate the unplanned deployment to the aircrew leadership
and see what alternative support we can provide. Also, my Hawaii boss used to work for
my Alaska boss when he was of a lower rank and did not get along with my Alaska boss.
This further instigates conflict between the two bosses because of history and personality
conflicts. In addition, because I fall administratively under my Alaska boss, my annual
appraisal goes to them so if I make waves it can affect my future promotions.

2) Describe how the politics of the organization influenced the situation.

With the current set-up I have, each boss is utilizing the same personnel for two different
mission sets. My Alaska boss, however, has no bargaining footing or lobbying ability
because of the structure of personnel in my career field in the organization. My Hawaii
boss has all the power and control over my team and what he says goes. This leaves my

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 Alaska boss having to scramble constantly trying to get personnel to support in-garrison
tasks.

Also because my Hawaii boss knows he has all the power he is not inclined to bargain
with my Alaska boss. Whenever they meet to try and sort out the issues, my Hawaii boss
stays firm on his stance. This win-lose approach has led to a great deal of animosity
between the two and is noticed by the lower ranking Airmen. This has caused some
Airmen to not be supportive of the in-garrison mission set and spread discourse through
their peer group.

3) Recommend how you would use organizational politics for an alternative course of
action regarding your case.

I think the biggest change that needs to occur is the representation of my Alaska boss that
has equal footing with my Hawaii boss. This will enable my Alaska boss to at least be
heard and bargain for a better arrangement to support in-garrison needs. Another thing
the two bosses need to do is approach the issues with a win-win approach and set their
personalities aside. By focusing on the topic or interests, they would make better
headway on mutually beneficial arrangements.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about this frame.

Considering my position in the organization there is not much I can do to change my

circumstance. One of the only viable things I could do is voice my opinion of the matter
to my bosses and hope they acknowledge the negative ramifications of their turbulent
relationship. Another option is to relay to my team the importance of both mission sets
and get them to support the decisions of both bosses. Although it would be a split and
contrary focus, I think it would be better than supporting one boss over the other.

Reference

Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.