Discussion Topic #1 Prompts

Prompt #1: What did you learn about organizations, and/or the behavior of individuals
within an organization? How do the ideas presented in Part One of the B&D textbook
enrich your understanding of the ways in which organizations and the people working in
them function?
Throughout time, organizations and leadership have evolved, though not at the same
pace. No matter how we attempt to improve leadership or the organizations, which we
are a part of, there will always be an evolution. Whether it is technology or politics, etc.
change is inevitable. Problems outlast solutions (Bolman & Deal, 2013). Many of the
issues begin at the individual level.
As we are all different based on things such as experience, age, gender, or social
background, organizations must adhere to the here and now. You will not be able to
change an individuals personality, so why try? The book mentioned that well-intentioned
managers start each day with the noble idea of improving an organization. The
organization itself changes management hoping to improve the organization. Had the
organization maintained a stable management for longer periods, we may be able to see
long-term improvements in organizations.
Prompt #2: How can you apply the concepts that you have learned about in the
readings to your personal or organizational life? Be specific.
In looking back at my previous job where I was a supervisor of operations, I always saw
the job as a fun place to work merely because it was an amusement park. I thought that
everyone shared the same mental thought. Oversimplified mental models become
fallacies (Bolman & Deal, 2013). Making assumptions based on the type of rather than
on individual performing the tasks will guide you towards false practices in leadership.
Prompt #3: Revisit the Frames Self-Assessment now that you have read the
chapters. What were your scores on the self-test? Do you tend to prefer (feel most
comfortable) with a certain frame (or frames)? Comment on your perception of the
instrument, and illustrate your point of view with an example or two.
My scores after completing the Frames Self-Assessment were as follows: Structural 20,
Human Resources 15, Political 13, and Symbolic 12. In my current job in the law
enforcement field, I often encounter situations where many little chiefs show up to a
particular situation and attempt to run things regardless of whether or not there is a
designated leader. There will always be someone who thinks that they know what is
best. Though they may have some good input, the designated handling unit has overall
command of the incident.
I believe that there is a set guidance structure, which if followed, can streamline many
situations. I have always been one to add an opinion but only when the time was
appropriate. When you fail to adhere to the structure all of the differing opinions begin to
mesh together and mistakes are made. Sometimes some fail to correct or stop others in
their opinion making just so that they do not hurt someone elses feelings. Leaders must
first grasp an accurate picture of what is happening (Bolman & Deal, 2013). If the
leadership structure is followed, the leader can delegate tasks which will allows followers

to focus on their separate task rather than the whole problem.

Prompt #4: Choose a situation an ambiguous memo from a department chair, a

newspaper article, a recent personal or professional experience in which there are
many possible explanations for what is going on. Briefly describe the situation, list some
possible explanations (or different perspectives) with respect to the event. Discuss the
idea of frames and reframing in light of your chosen situation.
For fun, I looked up ambiguous headlines and came across an interesting one. He
headline read POLICE BEGIN CAMPAIGN TO RUN DOWN JAYWALKERS. In
framing, we use the term so as to making a rapid cognition (Gladwell, 2005) so as to
make an assumption of the fact rather than a rational idea of it. We first look at the
headline. We would focus on the end of the phrase and link them together: Run down
and Jaywalkers. This could only go 2 ways. Police will take their vehicles and drive over
jaywalkers or they are going to focus on an increasing jaywalking problem which has
caused a safety hazard. My interpretation is that the will be focusing on a growing
jaywalking problem and will not be using a vehicle in the process.

Reference:
Bolman,L.G.,&Deal,T.E.(2013).Reframingorganizations:Artistry,choice,andleadership(5thed.).
SanFrancisco,CA:JosseyBass.