Four frames model of organizations

# Four frames model of organizations The Four Frames Model is an ontology for looking at what drives people in organizations: 1. The structural frame (explicit hierarchies and rules) 2. Human Resources (personal fears/desires) 3. Political (relationships) 4. Symbolic (feelings of purpose) ## Structural Structural reasons are “the chain of command “ — you do something because your boss tells you what to do. “Just because …” ## Human Resources Human Resources reasons are driven by what gets you promoted and what gets you a pay raise. [[Reaper functions beat culture decks]] An incentives view of organizations would lead one to believe that [[Reaper functions dominate other incentives]]. (Not to be confused with the HR department.) “I want …” ## Political Political reasons revolve around relationships. “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” ## Symbolic Symbolic reasons revolve around purpose — the organization’s mission, personal purpose. Cynically one could also say that symbolic reasons are all optical — either for yourself or for other people. “We’re here to save lives!” If you put someone in a position you condone the things they’ve done, and which frames they’ve prioritized, which reinforces which frame dominates in an organization. Obviously all of the frames are coupled — a great way to get the resources you want is by taking political actions. ### Related [episode 13: eigenrobot vs Steven godofsky — robot friends — Overcast](https://overcast.fm/+pYCxXEXYw/1:01:25) http://www.free-management-ebooks.com/news/four-frame-model/  [Web URL for this note](http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/Four+frames+model+of+organizations) [Comment on this note](http://via.hypothes.is/http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/Four+frames+model+of+organizations)