Interoperating the Symbolic Frame

Angelina Spaulding
OGL 498: Pro Seminar I
College of Letters and Sciences
Arizona State University

Interoperating the Symbolic Frame

The power of the symbolic frame is arguably more influential than the aspects of the
structural frame, the human resources frame or the political frame. Symbols stimulate energy
in moments of triumph and offer solace in times of tribulation (B&D, 2008, p. 252). Symbols
evoke emotional connections that harness the meanings, beliefs, and faith of people. Symbols
cut deeply in to the human psyche (p. 252). These feelings are so well ingrained that actions
and behaviors that are cultivated through tangible and intangible symbols is so mighty, that at
times the power that is conjured is so fierce that the force may feel uncontrollable.
Symbolism unite people, by forming bonds between individuals facing uncertainty and
ambiguity, people create symbols to resolve confusion, find direction, and anchor hope and
faith (B&D, 2008, p. 253). Through the use of narratives that present myths, visions, and
values (pp. 254 - 257) through stories and fairy tales (pp. 259 - 261) that create imagery of
heroes and herons (pp. 257 - 259), it helps people to comprehend a perceived reality; by
helping to navigate potential risk through lessons learned or knowledge gained within a
symbolic frame (B&D, 2008).
I was born and raised in the state of Maryland. Out of all fifty states it can be argued that
Marylands state flag is one of the more unique flags within the union. The state flag has
become a fashionable item in Maryland. In 2011 the University of Marylands football uniforms
had been redesigned to look like the state flag (Wilbon, 2011). The design has become so
popular that the gaudy reds and golds of the Maryland state flag have leapt in recent years
from the flagpole to T-shirts, koozies, swimsuits and a host of other products that Lord Baltimore
himself never could have imagined (Wells, 2015).
The state flag presents the coat of arms of the Calvert family (the paternal family of the
founder of the Maryland colony) and the Crossland family (the maternal arm of the founding

family). During the civil war the Calvert crest (the paternal banner) had been used to symbolize
Marylanders who sided with the north, and the Crossland family crest was used to symbolize
the Marylanders who sided with the south. However, after the Civil War, Marylanders needed
symbolism that would help unify the state, and as a result, people started mashing up the two
banners. The flag as we know it today had appeared by 1880 (Johnson, 2015).
An organizations culture is revealed and communicated through its symbols (B&D,
2008, p. 254). The residual history of the Civil War can be viewed in the state flag, as a symbol
of unity for a state that had been so furiously divided during one of the nations largest crises of
all time. In todays modern world that unity can still be felt. As the symbolic frame recreates
organizational structures and process as secular drama that expresses our fears, joys, and
expectations (p. 296) it is under the identification of this symbol that Marylanders can unify as
one. I have traveled to the most western state in the union, Hawaii, and have found a fellow
Marylander only due to a person wearing the flag proudly on a shirt. Even though we were both
thousand of miles away from our home, we were unified under the symbol of our state. Culture
forms the superglue that bonds an organization, [and] unites people (p. 253). Within the last
few years the culture surrounding the state flag has changed to one that embraces and
acknowledges the history of the divided state. Even today despite ideological differences that
still may divide many people, it is the state flag that is a continues symbol to show that our
differences are ones that should not divide us, but rather unify us all as citizens of the state of
Maryland.

References
Bolman, L.G. & Deal, T.E. (2008). Reframing organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership.
Jossey Bass: San Francisco
Johnson, M. (2015, June). Marylands flag may be more symbolic than you realize [Article].
Retrieved from http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/26981/marylands-flag-may-bemore-symbolic-than-you-realize/
Wells, C. (2015, Sep 30). Maryland flag emerges as apparel standard [News Article].
Retrieved from http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-maryland-flag-products20150924-story.html
Wilbon, M. (2011, Sep 8). Marylands new uniforms: Brilliantly Ugly [Article]. Retrieved from
http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/wilbon-110907/university-marylandnew-football-uniforms-making-terrapins-relevant