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Organizational Culture and Symbols

A Review of the Symbolic Frame

Jorge L. ArroyoEDHP 687University of Southern CaliforniaFebruary 21, 2007

Presentation Outline» Assumptions» Discussion of cultures» Symbolic Frame

Myth, Vision, and Values Heroes and Heroines Stories and Fairy Tales Ritual and Ceremony Metaphor, Humor and Play

» USC and Student Affairs

Symbolic Assumptions» Most important is not what happens but what it means

» Events have multiple meanings because peopleinterpret experience differently

» People create symbols to resolve confusion, increasepredictability, find direction, and anchor hope and faith.

» What is expressed is more important than what isproduced.

» Culture is the glue that holds an organization togetherand unites people around shared values and beliefs.

Myth» Give meaning to the organization and

its events or procedures» Help explain occurrences, policies, etc.» Often stem from the beginnings of a

company or organization

“Herb, Let’s start an airline”

Vision» Guides the future of an

organization» Translation of core values or

sense of purpose» Illuminates possibilities» Sparks the imagination within

workers to think outside the box

Values» Defines what an organization stands

for» Create a sense identity and makes

people feel special» For institutions,values create

campus-wide connections betweenlarger goals and daily actions

» Usually does not translate well intowritten form - mission statements orformal documents

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Myth, Vision and Values

» Many times these are not easilydefinable

» Most organizations have ties betweentheir values, their vision and the mythsof their upstart

Stories and Fairy Tales» Usually dismissed as a last

resort - “Oh, they are justmaking stuff up now”

» Can convey information,procedures, values, andmyths

» A way to keep the stories ofheroes and heroines alive inorganization

» Downsides Can obscure the failure

of a program orprocedure

Can make certainpeople feelunproductive

Rituals and Ceremony» Rituals are simpler, day-to-day routines» Ceremonies are grander, more elaborate,

less frequent

» Rituals can also bea form of initiation

» The stronger theculture, the strongerthe message - “youare not yet one ofus”

Metaphor, Humor, and Play» Metaphors translate

issues intounderstandableimages

» Humor and play helpsmembers feel included

» Can help anorganization be moresocial

» It encouragesexperimentation,flexibility, andadaptiveness

Student Affairs at USC» What kind of culture exists here?» What values keep us united around

shared beliefs?» Any myths, heroes, or stories?

How do these fit into the institutionoverall?

» What do you bring to this campus?

Thank you!Resources

Bolman, L. & Deal, T. (2003) Reframingorganizations: Artistry, choice, andleadership. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.

What will you take to your organization?