Frame blindness can happen when one is not aware of their frames
causing a risk to the decision-making process (Hoch, Kunreuther, & Gunther, 2001).
Hoch et. al. (2001) describe methods in
which you can become aware and understand your frames and three key steps in
taking control of your frames.
The first
method is to “frame by conducting a frame audit” (p. 142). This is done by surfacing your frames and the
best way is by visually presenting them. For example, when trying to figure out my
expenses, I find it difficult to mentally categorize and prioritize my expenses
to better control my funds and extend my financial spending. To help me ‘surface my frames’ I create excel
sheets and even graphs that provide me with visual information. This helps me to see the categories that I
might have missed or even alternatives to how I spend my money. “Understanding the frames of others” (Hoch. Et.
al., 2001, p. 142) is a process of
examination that helps you become more aware of other people’s frames and by
this way have a clearer view of any “frame overlap and conflict” (p. 142). In my organization we have many departments
working towards assisting students in achieving their education. All of these departments overlap in some way
since in the end there is a common goal. But, I have experienced a myopic perspective in
some cases when my views have been completely different from another
department. For example, as a small satellite
campus for Embry-Riddle, my main concern and focus are my students. Sometimes, in an effort to assist them and
stand by their side, I sometimes forget or even challenge certain university
policies that exist for the better good of the organization. Our regular regional townhall meetings allow
our leadership team to remind us all of our roles as well as our responsibilities
to the entity that is the university. Hoch
et al. tell us that “as people specialize in functions and departments, they
often lose sight of the big picture and what really matters to the company”
(2001, p. 146). ). Also, it is important to appreciate any new
and emerging frames. See how other’s
frame and be open to new perspectives can sometimes “illuminate something that
your frame keeps you from perceiving” (p. 146).
Another key step to taking control over your frames is to identify
and change your frames. Identification
means analyzing whether or not they are effective, observe whether or not they are
flawed, question your reference points, and pinpointing any common assumptions
that seem to dictate your organization’s thinking (Hoch et al., 2001). In my role I am always analyzing the processes
I use to make decisions and to organize my labor to see if they are effective
or flawed. I try to understand where my
thinking is coming from and where it is going. I tend to think outside of the box and
therefore try think on more holistic terms. To identify common assumptions I like to
dialogue with colleagues from other campuses to see how we synchronize or where
we differ and from their frames try to gain new perspectives.
The last step is “mastering techniques for reframing” (Hoch et al., 2001, p. 148). Learning how to create and experiment with new
frames, synthesize them and also make comparisons by trying out new environments
is an effective way of reframing. Some
techniques would include: using alternative images, challenging other people’s
reference points, stretching the view of the frame, creating new frames,
aligning frames, using multiple frames, and speaking the “frame” language of
other individuals. In my experience, the
best way to avoid frame traps is by reframing them by using some of these
techniques. I for example try to speak
the same frame language as those people who I am aiming to convince or trying
to win over. When working with students
who I feel are not making good choices, I try to synchronize with their view of
the world and see the frames from which they are looking out of. A 20 year old sailor straight out of high school
will be using different frames when deciding to start an education then a 40 year old sailor
close to retirement. In these instances
reframing is a critical process when trying to make decisions or convince
others of decisions that should be made.
The exercises in our reading have taught me how complex the
decision-making process can be and how important it is to generate an awareness
of our own frames as well as those of others. This process of awareness will help us to
avoid myopic perspectives and assist us in expanding our awareness of options,
alternatives and innovations that are available to us.
On a personal level, I think that questioning my reference point
or doing a “reference point analysis” would have been beneficial and may have
changed the direction of my education. I
chose to study education even though my heart was in art. I look back now and realize that the origin
and reference of my frame at that time was my mother and specifically, a deep
desire to please her. If I would have
had the understanding of frames back then, I may have been able to analyze why
I was making this decision and decide how effective and gratifying it would be
in the future.
I don’t believe there is a lot of risk in reframing. I believe that multiple avenues and
perspectives is always a superior way to arrive to a conclusion as it broadens
the options and also allows for more reflective thought. This exercise has demonstrated to me that as
open and receptive as I am to change, I still am very loyal to my personal
frames and sometimes have difficulty in understanding or relating to other
people’s frames. I need to be more open and willing to synchronize my frames
with others and also allow others to influence how I frame certain experiences
or decisions.
References
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