Frame of reference

Executive summary
“ A manager’s frame of reference is his/her most enabling asset”
This writing critically discusses the validity of the above statement in relations to organisational reframing.
Bolman & Deal’s four frames of reference are used in discussing the statement: Structural Frame; Human Resource Frame; Political Frame and Symbolic Frame. Each frame is explained in detail and applied to the statement to discuss its validity. Two approaches are used with one focusing on the beneficial impact of a manager’s frame of reference on his/her managerial performance, followed by a discussion on how the frame of reference could adversely impact a manager’s performance.
It is concluded that the use of multiple frames, images, and metaphors not only complicates how managers and leaders think about organizational development but also unlocks the human creative potential and critical thinking ability to develop new ways for organizing because managers and leaders consider ...