“Framing contests”: What really happens in strategy-making meetings

"In strategy meetings, people try to convince each other by painting a mental image of the future; what would happen if they’d continue as is, and what could happen if they’d follow the course of action proposed by them. They might throw in some numbers based on “research” (put together long after they had made up their mind), and engage in spirited debate, complete with raised voices, rolling eyes and the occasional hand gesture."
Sarah Kaplan, a former McKinsey consultant turned Professor at the Wharton Business School describes strategy-meetings as “framing contests”. Framing contests, she said, concern “the way actors attempt to transform their personal cognitive frames into predominant collective frames through a series of interactions in the organization”

This well done article, titled "The truth about strategy sessions " by Freek Vermeulen an Associate Professor of Strategic & International Management at the London Business School points out that this may not be a bad way of doing these sessions. But as an individual who has attended, participated and facilitated numerous strategy sessions, I can also see danger here. This would occur if the leader of the organization doesn't set the stage by truly creating an 'open' climate where everyone is welcomed to voice concerns AND ideas and dreams of what CAN be within the company. This open climate will help get the 'juices' flowing - bringing to light some potentially way 'outside the box' ideas so desperately needed in today's rapidly changing environments. Of course every dynamic session needs to start with an analysis of where you are as a company - your assessment - strengths, weaknesses, and what resources are necessary over the coming 1 to 3 years; what's going on in the environment - business and global and what obstacles potentially threaten your ability to achieve your vision and mission.
This is just a 'snapshot' but one we feel strongly will help organizations' achieve their greatest potential. The key is to truly create that 'open' environment which encourages all to truly participate freely. After all it is everyone's company - isn't it?!