Charmayne
Symbols & Culture
“A symbol is something that stands for or suggests something else; it conveys socially constructed means beyond its intrinsic or obvious functional use” (p. 252)
“The symbolic frame interprets and illuminates the basic issues of meaning and belief that make symbols so powerful” (p. 253).
5 Assumptions:
- 1 What it means is more important than what happens
- 2 Activities and events are interpreted differently by individuals based on their own experiences
- 3 People “create symbols to resolve confusion, find direction, and anchor hope and faith” (p. 253)
- 4 What is expressed in activities is often more important than what is produced
- 5 Organizations and people use culture to unite and connect
Indoctrinate new employees
Sarah
Play,
spirit
and culture
How one becomes a member
Diversity
Examples (not orders)
Specialized Language
Stories carry history,
values,
and
reinforce group identity
“The symbolic frame recasts organizational structures and processes as drama that expresses our fears, joys, and expectations.
(p. 295)
Theater arouses emotions and kindles our spirit or reveals our fears.
(p. 295)
It reduces bewilderment and soothes open wounds.
(p. 295)
It provides a shared basis for understanding the present and imagining a more promising tomorrow.”
(p. 295)
Dramaturgical Theory:Focus on social interaction among individuals and on internal situations
Institutional Theory:Focus on presenting the system of organization to their publics
The leader must:
- Be credible in strategies
- Give meaning to others
- Provide inspiration
- Project that the organization has a unique identity and that each has an important role
Must articulate the organization's unique traditions and mission, and how it lives its values.
Images were obtained from the following:
Happy Towers:http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/2008/09/the_wonkettes_9.html
Skyline: http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0311600/After911Page.htm
Cape: http://www.austin360.com/
Fairy Tale: http://thehivestore.com/
Graduation: http://hotgiftideastips.com/
Metaphor: http://thehiddenpersuader-english.blogspot.com/2009/10/power-of-good-metaphor.html
Partridge square http://www.uwsp.edu/education/lwilson/links/MCDD00866_0000[1].gif
Book: http://www.braille200.ca/images/stories1_1.jpg
Soul http://www.yaledramacoalition.org/show_images/144/Soul.jpg
Spirit http://www.nativesculptures.ca/images/Paintings/spiritual%20realm.jpg
Curtains http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAlGRZh8naM&feature=related
Costumeshttp://media.photobucket.com/image/costume%20design%20sketches/Charmalade/S5000091.jpg
Script: http://www.newwritingsouth.com/images/script%20on%20grass.jpg
Refurbished: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QEBR616wZSk/SwnZxacVI4I/AAAAAAAABsw/HINrUNKXBYU/s1600/IMG_4140.jpg
Stage: http://silverdart.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/spotlight.jpg
All images were accessed by using search strategies in Google Images.
Symbolic Frame
What is
your product/service?
Sarah Cox
Glenna Decker
Laurel Laukhuf
Charmayne Mulligan
Thank you to Raf Stevens
for the permission to use this template
Who is
behind the company?
What is
your
competitive advantage?
"Meaning is not given to us, we have to make it"
Challenge:
Must be meaningful. Otherwise
- Symbols can antagonize
- Empty attempts at symbolism and events backfire
Value of Symbolic Frame -
looking insight into fundamental issues of
meaning
and belief,
and possibilities for
bonding
into a cohesive group
with a shared mission.
Effectiveness depends on the artistry of the user.
"Symbols are sometimes mere fluff or camouflage, the tools of a scoundrel who seeks to manipulate the unsuspecting, or an awkward attempt that embarrasses more than energizes people at work."
Leadership is much more art than science
Organization
as Theater
Team building is a spiritual undertaking
“The symbolic view approaches structure as a stage design: an arrangement of space, lighting, props, and costumes that make the drama vivid and credible to its audience.”
(p. 299)
Leader's Role:
- Reflect prevailing social values and myths
- Conform to changing social ideas
- Create the stage
“Theatrical refurbishing” is needed when the institution or its environment changes.
Process:
Scripts,
Stage markings
Leader's Role:
Direct where people go and how they should act
Dictate what behaviors attain results
Settings and costumes should be appropriate.
Leader's Role:
- Create the right environment
- Set the tone
- Reflect the culture
Humor and play reduce tension and encourage creativity
Ritual and ceremony lifts spirits and reinforce values
Semper Fi
More than a motto:
A way of life
Heroes & Heroines
Success
Share stories (promote institution, build loyalty, celebrate)
“the way we do things around here”
Develop rituals (initiation, rite of passage)
Create common symbols