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.

Our company needed to establish a distribution center in one of our major locations. To
achieve this, we had to divide a large warehouse into two separate units/warehouses. The
plan was for our team to dismantle the existing shelving and install new pallet racks in its
place. However, the project was delayed by a week due to the team members at the
location not completing their tasks before our arrival. As a project specialist in this
organization, my role involves overseeing inventory corrections, conducting full location
inventories, managing manufacturer claims and returns, handling warranty and defective
processes, and managing new location setups or closures, among other responsibilities.

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

In the current state of the organization, the absence of strong symbols is evident,
contributing to challenges in maintaining morale. Internal conflicts and power struggles
among departments and directors have led to a loss of organizational identity, values, and
customer service goals (Bolman & Deal, 2021). While some departments have developed
their own symbols or rituals to foster a positive work environment internally, these do not
extend beyond the immediate team dynamics. Without additional sources of inspiration
beyond financial compensation, employees may struggle to align their efforts toward a
common purpose.

The organization's culture appears fragmented, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and
perspectives of its employees. This diversity results in a culture that is subjective and
varies depending on the individual's perspective. As a result, there is no cohesive set of
shared values, beliefs, or norms that define the organization as a whole (Bolman & Deal,
2021). This lack of a unified culture likely contributed to the communication challenges
experienced during the planning and execution of the project, which required the sharing
of complex ideas and steps.

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

To break free from the organization's current status quo and achieve radical positive
change, I will leverage organizational symbols to promote collaboration among
departments. Encouraging employees to take ownership of day-to-day operations will
indirectly boost their motivation and creativity. This shift will foster new approaches to
decision-making and thinking, enhancing the organization's problem-solving capabilities
and enabling more efficient addressing of potential challenges. Additionally, these efforts
will cultivate a sense of unity and belonging among employees, serving as a visual
representation of the organization's values and goals. Ultimately, these actions will
realign the organization with its slogan, "The Leader in Dependable Services Since
1940," guiding it back on track toward its desired direction.

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

Bolman and Deal (2021) discuss the symbolic frame, which focuses on interpreting and
understanding the fundamental meanings and beliefs within an organization. This frame
emphasizes the individualistic perception of situations, as each person may interpret
things differently based on their expectations. Utilizing this frame, I would reintroduce
the organization's slogan, "The Leader in Dependable Services Since 1940," as a core
value for all employees. This approach aims to influence employees to adopt a similar
mindset in their work, aligning them toward a common goal: serving our customers. By
aligning our decisions with this shared value, we can positively impact the organization's
overall success.

Reference:
Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership
(7th ed.).

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