Images of Organization, Chapters 1 and 2 Critical Anaylsis
Reflection Journal #1 1
Reflection Journal #1
From the reading, Images of Organization Chapters 1 & 2
Reflection Journal #1
Chapters 1 & 2 In the first two chapters of Images of Organization, the author, Gareth Morgan defines the theory of metaphor and how it is applied to organization. He challenges the reader to examine metaphor as a tool that is used to understand and recognize organization (Morgan, 1998, p. 5). He also cautions against perceptual distortions and bias of metaphor. In chapter two, Morgan presents organization as a machine, illustrating the theories of Frederick the Great of Prussia, Max Weber, and Frederick Taylor. Chapter one introduces that the underlying thesis of this book is “all organization and management theory and practice are based on images, or metaphors, that lead us to understand situations in powerful, yet partial ways” (Morgan, 1998, p. 3). Morgan discusses in this chapter that these partial ways of understanding situations prevent us from seeing the whole picture, thereby limiting our effectiveness in leadership. By developing our management style into one that is able to garner different angles and perspectives of organization, we can increase our effectiveness as leaders. I believe one of the ways we can develop our management style is through team collaboration. Through my experience as a professional at Delaware State University in the Department of Wellness and Recreation, I readily rely on the partnership of my fellow professional and paraprofessional staff in providing insight into everyday management questions and situations. In a department of nearly 100 employees, it would be impossible to exist with only one “image” of our organization. The author says in chapter one that managers who are able to put off immediate judgment until a more comprehensive view of the situation appears are aware that new insights arise as they approach situations from different angles. These new
Reflection Journal #1
From the reading, Images of Organization Chapters 1 & 2
Reflection Journal #1
Chapters 1 & 2 In the first two chapters of Images of Organization, the author, Gareth Morgan defines the theory of metaphor and how it is applied to organization. He challenges the reader to examine metaphor as a tool that is used to understand and recognize organization (Morgan, 1998, p. 5). He also cautions against perceptual distortions and bias of metaphor. In chapter two, Morgan presents organization as a machine, illustrating the theories of Frederick the Great of Prussia, Max Weber, and Frederick Taylor. Chapter one introduces that the underlying thesis of this book is “all organization and management theory and practice are based on images, or metaphors, that lead us to understand situations in powerful, yet partial ways” (Morgan, 1998, p. 3). Morgan discusses in this chapter that these partial ways of understanding situations prevent us from seeing the whole picture, thereby limiting our effectiveness in leadership. By developing our management style into one that is able to garner different angles and perspectives of organization, we can increase our effectiveness as leaders. I believe one of the ways we can develop our management style is through team collaboration. Through my experience as a professional at Delaware State University in the Department of Wellness and Recreation, I readily rely on the partnership of my fellow professional and paraprofessional staff in providing insight into everyday management questions and situations. In a department of nearly 100 employees, it would be impossible to exist with only one “image” of our organization. The author says in chapter one that managers who are able to put off immediate judgment until a more comprehensive view of the situation appears are aware that new insights arise as they approach situations from different angles. These new