Reframing

At a Glance

• Time: 3-4 minutes
• Prep: None
• Group: Small groups (3-4 students)
• Setting: Any classroom
• Subjects: Universal
• Energy: Medium

Purpose

Build cognitive flexibility by examining a single problem or situation through multiple stakeholder lenses, revealing how perspective fundamentally shapes understanding and proposed solutions. Use this to introduce complexity, prevent narrow thinking, or prepare for persuasive communication.

How It Works

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Present the situation (30 seconds) - Describe a problem, decision, or scenario with multiple stakeholders: "A city wants to build a new highway"

2. Assign perspectives (2-3 minutes) - Each group member takes a different stakeholder role (city planner, resident, business owner, environmentalist). Each person reframes the situation from their assigned perspective: What do you see as the problem? The opportunity? The priority?

3. Compare reframings (1 minute) - Share perspectives. Notice: Did different stakeholders even define the "problem" differently? Did priorities conflict? Can one solution satisfy all perspectives?

What to Say

Opening: "Here's the situation: A school district proposes cutting arts programs to fund STEM. In your group, Person A is a parent, Person B is an art teacher, Person C is the principal, Person D is a STEM teacher. Reframe this situation from YOUR stakeholder's perspective: What's the problem? What's at stake? What solution would you propose? You have 3 minutes. Go!"

During: "Don't just describe your role—see the situation THROUGH their eyes... What does YOUR stakeholder care about most?... What are YOUR fears? Hopes?... Frame the problem from YOUR perspective..."

Closing: "Let's hear each perspective. [Groups share.] Notice how the 'problem' itself changes depending on who's looking? The parent sees equity issues, the art teacher sees professional survival, the principal sees budget constraints, the STEM teacher sees opportunity. There isn't one problem—there are four different problems in the same situation. This is why complex problems are hard to solve—stakeholders literally see different realities."

Why It Works

Most people anchor on their own perspective and struggle to genuinely adopt alternative viewpoints. Reframing exercises force cognitive decentering—stepping outside one's own frame of reference to inhabit another's. This builds intellectual humility (recognition that your perspective is partial) and stakeholder empathy (understanding why others see things differently). It reveals that "the problem" is often a function of perspective, not objective reality. This insight is foundational for negotiation, persuasion, design thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.

Research Connection: Perspective-taking improves conflict resolution, reduces bias, and enhances creative problem-solving by revealing assumptions and expanding solution spaces (Galinsky et al., 2005).

Teacher Tip

Push students beyond surface role-play. It's not enough to say "I'm the business owner and I want profit." Go deeper: "I'm a third-generation business owner who employs my neighbors. This highway could save my business BUT destroy the community that IS my business. I'm torn." Nuance matters.

Variations

For Different Subjects

• Literature: "Reframe this scene from antagonist's perspective, minor character's view, author's intention"
• History: "View this event as colonist, indigenous person, British official, future historian"
• Science: "See this environmental issue as scientist, policy-maker, industry representative, affected community member"
• Current Events: "Any news story—reframe from multiple stakeholder perspectives"

For Different Settings

• Large Class (30+): Jigsaw—all Group 1s are "parents," all Group 2s are "teachers," etc. Expert groups form, then return to mixed groups to share perspectives
• Small Group (5-15): Fishbowl format—one stakeholder group discusses while others observe, then rotate

For Different Ages

• Elementary (K-5): Use concrete, familiar scenarios: "Recess policy, cafeteria choices, classroom rules—see from student, teacher, parent views"
• Middle/High School (6-12): Standard format with complex issues
• College/Adult: Add written component: "After oral reframing, write a one-page policy brief from your stakeholder's perspective"

Online Adaptation

Tools Needed: Breakout rooms, collaborative document

Setup: Assign stakeholder roles before breakout

Instructions:

1. Present situation in main room
2. Assign roles via chat or breakout room names
3. Groups discuss and document each stakeholder's reframing
4. Return to main room; representatives from each stakeholder group present
5. Use polling: "Which stakeholder has the strongest claim?"

Pro Tip: Use a shared doc with columns for each stakeholder—students can see all perspectives developing simultaneously

Troubleshooting

Challenge: Students just list their stakeholder's interests without truly reframing Solution: "Don't tell me ABOUT your stakeholder—BE your stakeholder. Use 'I' language. What do I see? What do I fear? What feels urgent to ME right now?"

Challenge: Students treat one perspective as objectively "right" Solution: "There is no 'right' perspective—only different legitimate viewpoints based on different values and priorities. The goal is understanding, not winning."

Extension Ideas

• Deepen: After reframing, challenge: "Now design a solution that addresses ALL stakeholders' core concerns. What compromises are necessary?"
• Connect: Link to real-world examples of stakeholder conflicts: community development, environmental policy, technology ethics
• Follow-up: Write persuasive essays addressing the concerns of a specific stakeholder you initially disagreed with

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Related Activities: Empathy Mapping, Optimist-Pessimist, Philosophical Chairs