OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Political Frame Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the political frame
2. Apply the political frame to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

I had an internal role within Crabby’s Crab Shack (an anonymous name is being
used). I was a server, bartender and a certified trainer for all the front of house roles. I
played a major role in onboarding and training new staff. At the time I had been with
Crabby’s for about six years, was well respected and often traveled to other locations to
assist in training.
Late one Saturday night, the Crabby’s Crew was ready to go out together and
unwind. I was invited, but declined because I was not feeling well. Leslie was a trainee
who was promoted to server and often went out with everyone. Gloria and Tanner were
new to Crabby’s and excited to join in. Monday came along and I went in for my night
shift. As I clocked in, the manager, Tony, found me and said he needed to talk to me in
the office. I followed him back through the kitchen to the office and Debbie, another
manager, was there waiting. Tony closed the door, he asked what had happened on
Saturday night because something awful had happened to Leslie and he was told I was
there and did nothing to protect anyone. I told Tony and Debbie that I was shocked, as
everyone seemed to get along fine and they left the restaurant to go together with some of
the other staff , when we were done closing. I told them that I was sorry, that something
bad had happened but I was at home, so I was not sure what they needed from me. He
told me that I need to go to the police and give them the information that I had, and that
he extremely disappointed that I would be a part of something so heinous. I told Tony
and Debbie that I had no information to give, because I was not there. Whoever had told
them different was lying. Tony told me to go get to work.

2) Describe how the politics of the organization influenced the situation.

I believe that politics played a large role in how this situation played out. I am not sure
what the motives of Tony and Debbie were in the moment, but I do believe that there were
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ultieror motives. Bolman and Deal (2021) mention that organizations can be viewed as colations
made up of different individuals and interest groups. In this situation, management could be seen
as one group, and the employees as another group. I believe that in this situation, I was ousted
from both groups. With the gossip that had spread about my involvement, no group needed me
for their coalition.

Power plays a major role in the politics of organizations. Bolman and Deal (2021,
pg.193) define power as “the capacity to make things happen and affect outcomes.” In this
situation Tony and Debbie held all the power. They had their mind set on what happened, and
they let the gossip spread. I was unable to do anything to change the circumstances. Everytime I
tried to clear my name it seemed like things just got worse.

3) Recommend how you would use organizational politics for an alternative course of
action regarding your case.

Bolman and Deal (2021) discuss the need for political skills as a manager. I believe in
this situation the management team had political skills, but they did not favor me. Bolman and
Deal (2021) talk about agenda setting as a skill that is necessary, I think the management team in
my situation, had an agenda set to allow for the gossip to continue. I think bringng my situation
higher to the general manager or even the human resources department earlier, would have
changed that agenda and allowed me to be protected. I think if I had spoke up earlier, the damage
would not have been as extensive and the organization would have been made aware of the bad
management of Tony and Debbie.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about this frame.

Bolman and Deal (2021) discuss the need for networking in the political
frame of organizations. At the time, I had built a name for myself within the
training department and even other restaurants. I had networked with others
within the organization, and I should have used that to my advantage. I could have
asked for advice, or for help from anyone else within the organization, I did not
have to stay silent. I could have used my built up network of others to help me
navigate the situation successfully.

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 Reference:
Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and
leadership (7th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass