Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. This book is devoted to exploring a gradually developing literature that examines organizations, organizational dynamics, leaders, followers, groups at work, and organizational structure from a psychoanalytically informed perspective. It also explores the nature of this resistance to change and the effects of change upon those who are dependent upon adaptive change for work and personal and family survival. Organizational goals are most often subject to change within the organizational hierarchy or they are minimally followed by employees lip service. It aslo provides insights into leadership pathologies that harm the world, organizations, and employees. Sexual harassment, excessive interpersonal competition and undermining, backstabbing, rumor propagation, threats to people's career and wages, and inter-group rivalries all contain violent qualities. The final analysis looks back upon the many ways to examine, understand, and intervene in organizational life.