Evaluate the Role of Symbols in Organizational Functioning

The perceptual role of symbols and symbolic behavior is a mental model that defines or frames organizational functioning involving how organizations develop, utilize, and portray various representations of who/what it is, what it believes in, what it does, and how it functions. These representations help to create an organization’s culture by fostering a sense of team, tribe, or solidarity among employees by helping employees develop meaning and value in their work, and supporting an overall connection, identity, or loyalty with their particular job, co-workers, and employer. Symbols can exist in the form of logos, phrases, metaphors, myths, values, mission, pictures, objects, etc.; while symbolic behavior can involve storytelling, rituals, ceremonies, humor, play, identification of organizational heroes, and various theatrical performances.

Symbols can shape how individuals think about their organization. The culture can be expressed in terms of internal and public symbols and the use of these symbols creates a sense of solidarity between the individuals themselves and between the individuals of the organization and public. Symbols express the ideology of the organization in a simple way so that the ideas they express can be reinforced easily. Symbols used to express culture can be verbal stories, ritualized events, and physical artifacts. Leaders need to understand the members of the organization and the public’s reaction, interpretation and feelings about these symbols.

This week’s assignment will address a deeper understanding of the symbolic perceptual model.

Be sure to review this week’s resources carefully. You are expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.

All organizations emulate various forms of symbols and symbolic behavior. To address substantive improvement, an effective leader must develop a solid understanding regarding the existing forms of symbols and symbolic behavior that stem from and within the organization. Using the assigned readings for the course and additional applicable scholarly sources, describe, in sufficient detail, supportive reference that cite how you, as an educational leader, would utilize symbols and symbolic behavior with employees to strengthen the functioning of an educational setting of interest (e.g., school or school district). As much as possible, integrate the use of logos, phrases, metaphors, myths, values, mission, pictures, objects, storytelling, rituals, ceremonies, humor, play, identification of organizational heroes, theatrical performances or others of familiarity within your descriptive essay. Then create and present your own personal symbol or logo and explain the significance.

Length: 3-5 pages, not including title and reference pages
References: Minimum of 5 scholarly resources