The Symbolic Frame
It All Begins Here
What is the Symbolic Frame?
The Symbolic frame is similar to the HR fame in that it focuses on employee emotional engagement, but the Symbolic frame focuses on addressing “…people’s needs for a sense of purpose and meaning in their work. It focuses on inspiring people by making the organisation’s direction feel significant and distinctive” (Lea, 2023). In organizations, this frame is used to inspire and ignite employees to succeed in their roles. The symbolic frame works very well within organizations with a strong emphasis on culture and innovation, such as Trader Joe’s, marketing and media, public relations, and professional sports teams. The goal of the Symbolic frame is to empower employees to be innovative and excited about their jobs.
Reflection
The symbolic frame is by far my favorite frame of leadership that I have learned about, and is one that I employ often as a leader myself. The Symbolic frame’s emphasis on empowering employees through motivation and emotions is something I resonate with heavily! Since learning about this frame, I have been able to more accurately identify and assess my language as a leader within my sales roles, and I have begun to understand how the Symbolic frame can shape a large-scale organization with proper integration.
Reference
Lea, S. (2023, April 11). Bolman and Deal’s Four-Frame Model. Aicura. https://www.aicura.com/eleadership/leadership-fundamentals/bolman-and-deals-four-frame-model/