What's Playing in the Organizational Theater? Collusive Relationships in Management
Human Relations · 1999 · Volume 52 · Issue 6
DOI: 10.1177/001872679905200604
Abstract
This article takes as its point of departure concepts derived from couple therapy to better understand collusive relationships in organizations. As we examine these dysfunctional workplace relationships-these interpersonal "gridlocks"four main types of collusive superior-subordinate interaction patterns are identified-the narcissistic, the controlling, the paranoid, and the sadomasochistic-and the consequences of each such dyad in organizations are explored. In conclusion, the paper presents a number of recommendations on how to recognize the presence of such collusive arrangements (taking leadership behavior as a point of departure) and suggests preventive steps that can be taken.
Keywords
superior-subordinate relationship, leadership behavior, projective identification, narcissistic collusion, controlling collusion, paranoid collusion, sadomasochistic collusion, folie a deux, transference, identification with the aggressor
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