OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Symbolic Frame Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the symbolic frame
2. Apply the symbolic 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.

The situation I am examining occurred where I work. I wrk for a Finance company as an
assistant and data specialist to a financial advisor. Close to the time I started I was left to
work independently fairly quickly, which obviously could led to mistakes being made. I
had made multiple mistakes that came to light the same day. It was only my second week
there and it led to a stern and slightly insulting conversation with my boss.

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

Symbols in an organization can range from a value or purpose, people, or even a singular
item. In my organization there are two major symbols. First, it is defied by the way we
present ourself by the way we dress as well as the way our office looks. They put a lot of
money into developing the office and giving it a modern and up to date look. This is very
theatrical for clients coming in. Secondly, there are everal people who are a symbol in the
office, because they have been around since it’s inception. This latter symbol definitely
plays a majot role in the situation.

My boss has a stigma around the office. He is known for being up tight and short when
you do not meet his eyeline. Not only does he get away with it because of the money he
brings in for the company, but he is also one of the founding members of the company.
People look at them as a symbol of the company and do not interrupt the way they work.
Just like the a mere member doesn’t tell the pope how to run the catholic church, people
do not try and tell my boss how to run his team. This leads to not so positive interactions
as mentioned in section 1.

1
 3) Recommend how you would use organizational symbols for an alternative course of
action regarding your case.

I would use the organization symbols to my benefit by looking at the values and purpose
of the company. My company has a strong desire for making peoples life easier one
financial decision at a time. We are here to help ease the burdens of life and provide
comfort in knowing that you have made all the decisions to keep your family save in bad
times. This symbol of hope and freedom is the opposite of how I was made to feel.

I mentioned earlier that a member of the catholic church would not be telling the pope
how to run the catholic church. This could be an outside source, but I am on a different
level. I could use the companies symbol and values to have a conversation with my boss
correcting the situation and helping us both move forward.

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

I have thought about this single situation and there is one thing I wish I would have done
and it ties very closely to section 3. I wish I would have talked with my boss sooner. For
a long time I sat back and feared my boss. Over time I started to understand the culture of
the company and the values it holds and I started to form to that. I started to become
confident in the culture and my place and rodl within the company. I would have
understood this much faster if I had understood the symbolic frame then.

I would have been able to have this conversation much sooner. Hindsight is always
20/20, but understanding each frame within an organization really helps you see 20/20 in
the present. Having this knowledge I would have had the conversations I have had now
so that when situation arise, which they still often do,we are able to address them in a
positive manner and uphold the symbols of the company which are hope and freedom.