Add the Reframing Superpower to Your Faculty Tool Box
Faculty in academic pharmacy navigate complex terrain: teaching, research, service, leadership, and ever-changing expectations. When challenges arise—whether in departmental politics, student engagement, or institutional change—it’s easy to get stuck in a single way of seeing the problem.
That’s where Reframing Organizations by Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal becomes a powerful guide. Their framework offers four distinct “lenses” or frames through which we can view organizational life: Structural, Human Resource, Political, and Symbolic. Learning to use all four allows faculty to move from reactive frustration to strategic action.
Here are four practical tips for applying Bolman and Deal’s framework to reach next-level success in academic pharmacy.
1. Use the Structural Frame to Clarify Roles and Processes
The Structural Frame emphasizes goals, roles, rules, and responsibilities. When things feel chaotic, unclear, or inefficient, this lens helps restore order and alignment.
💡 Faculty Tip: If you’re part of a dysfunctional committee or unclear curricular process, map out the formal structure—who’s responsible for what, what decisions need to be made, and where authority lies.
💡 Example: A faculty member confused by inconsistent expectations around experiential site evaluations uses the structural lens to propose a revised process and clarify roles—leading to better outcomes and less frustration.
2. Use the Human Frame to Build Connection and Support
This frame focuses on people—their needs, skills, relationships, and development. It’s especially useful when morale is low, conflict is high, or burnout is on the rise.
💡 Faculty Tip: When a student or colleague is struggling, ask: What might they need? How can I support their growth? Build solutions around empathy, support, and trust—not just compliance.
💡 Example: A faculty advisor noticing declining student engagement reframes the situation as a support issue, not a discipline issue—then creates a weekly drop-in mentoring hour that fosters connection and retention.
3. Use the Political Frame to Navigate Power and Influence
Academic environments are full of competing interests. The Political Frame helps you understand power dynamics, coalitions, and negotiation—especially when advocating for change.
💡 Faculty Tip: Don’t avoid politics—understand the players, map the interests, and build alliances. If you're leading a curricular change, identify allies, anticipate resistance, and develop a strategy for influence.
💡 Example: A faculty member proposing a new certificate pathway anticipates opposition from a key department. She gains early support from influential colleagues and presents data to show demand—reframing resistance as a misalignment, not a dead end.
4. Use the Symbolic Frame to Inspire Meaning and Culture
The Symbolic Frame reminds us that organizations run on meaning, not just mechanics. Symbols, stories, rituals, and values shape how people feel about their work.
💡 Faculty Tip: When launching a new initiative or teaching a difficult course, use storytelling, purpose, and ritual to engage hearts—not just minds. Ask: How do we make this feel meaningful?
💡 Example: A department chair begins each monthly meeting with a story about student impact or a colleague’s success. It shifts the culture from “another meeting” to a shared mission.
Final Thoughts: Reframing Is a Superpower
Faculty who learn to see challenges through multiple lenses become more effective problem-solvers, collaborators, and leaders. Instead of defaulting to frustration or tunnel vision, they gain the agility to approach issues from new angles—and unlock better results.
So, ask yourself:
Which frame am I most comfortable using—and which one do I tend to overlook?
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