the Symbolic

Frame
Andrea, Robin, Shamika and Tonya
Organizational Symbols
and Culture
A symbol is something that stands for or
suggests something else; it conveys
socially constructed meanings beyond its
intrinsic or obvious functional use (Bolman
and Deal , p. 246 lifted from Zott and Huy,
2007, p.72)
examples
Palio - Horse race in Siena, Italy
9/11 - American relied on symbols to cope with the
aftermath of the a devastating terrorist attack..
Sandy Hook Shooting - in times of calamity, we
embrace the spiritual magic that symbols represent..
(memorials of white angels, flowers and toys)
Organizational Symbols
Geicos gecko

Targets bulls eye

McDonalds golden arches

Harvard -rituals of teachings, values of scholarship

UP - Oblation
Myths, Vision and values
Myths - are the story behind the story. They explain, express, legitimize
and maintain solidarity and cohesion.

Southwest Airline (The original plan for this airline was sketched on a
cocktail napkin in a San Antonio Bar. It envisioned connecting 3 Texas
cities: Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. The airline met fierce
resistance from established carriers. In 1971, the Texas Supreme Court
ruled in Southwests favor and its planes were ready to fly.
Myths, Vision and Values
Values - characterize what an organization stands for, qualities worthy
of esteem or commitment.

Southwest - symbol of freedom billboards

Edina School District in Minnesota - We care. We share. We dare.

U.S. Marine Corps - Semper Fi Always faithful - stands for the tradition,
sentiments and solidarity of its recruits and veteran Marines.
Myths, Vision and Values
Vision - turns an organizations core ideology, or sense of purpose, into
an image of the future.

J&J - commitment to the elimination of pain and diseases.

School District - be the educational model of excellence..

Heroes and Heroines
leaders who modeled values they hoped to instill..

- ordinary people performing exemplary deeds..

Example: The late Joe Vallejo (custodian at California Junior High who
also acted as a liaison between school and its community);attended
parent conferences; a patio was named in his honor when he retired.

NYPD officers and firefighters

stories and Fairy Tales
Stories like folk or fairy tales, offer more than entertainment or moral
instruction for small children. They grant comfort, reassurance,
direction, and hope to people of all ages.

- storytelling is a simple and memorable way to train new people,

recognize accomplishment and spread the word.
Rituals
As a symbolic act, ritual is a routine has a stable purpose.

- gives structure and meaning to each day

e.g. drinking your morning coffee, reading the morning paper, checking
your social media accounts, saying goodnight at bedtime, etc.

e.g. (school setting) reading of morning announcement, etc.

Rituals of initiation induct newcomers into communal membership.

Ceremony
create order, clarity and predictability.

Rituals are more frequent, everyday routines with special meaning.

Ceremonies are more episodic, grander and elaborate.

e.g. harvest celebrations, annual seminars, retirement dinners, etc.

Group Activity - Share out
Symbolic Artifacts from their schools
Small Fires (3 per group)

Group A - Focus on Vision, Myths and Values

Questions: 1. What does the schools philosophy, mission statement or

creed suggest about its organization and purpose?

2. Does the organization have symbols that serve to provide guidelines

for behaviors and decision-making processes? What are the things that
the school rewards?
Group Activity - Share out
Symbolic Artifacts from their schools
Small Fires (3 per group)

Group B - Focus on Heroes and Heroines

Questions: 1. Do heroes and heroines exist among the

organization/schools membership?

2. Are there storytellers, whisperers, rumor-mongers in the

organization? How do they serve to keep the culture alive and intact or
act as barrier to change?
Group Activity - Share out
Symbolic Artifacts from their schools
Small Fires (3 per group)

Group C - Focus on Rituals and Ceremonies

Questions: 1. Are there special rituals and ceremonies which reinforce

core cultural values? e.g. work routine, annual ritual, etc.

2. What are the accepted and recurring ways of doing things?

In a nutshell..
Symb inspirationonate about making their organizations the best of their
Symbolic managers and leaders believe that
the most important part of their job is
inspirationgiving people something that they
can believe in. People will give their loyalty to
an organization that has a unique identity and
makes them feel that what they do is really
important. Effective symbolic managers and
leaders are passionate about making their
organizations the best of their kind and
communicate that passion to others. They use