ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the importance of acknowledging organizational fragmentation that is often driven by unconscious individual and group dynamics. It also devotes to explore the significance of this rich tapestry of interpersonal and intra-organizational divisions, layers, groups, and subcultures. Invisible barrier introduces the problem of vertical organizational fragmentation. Psychoanalytic theory teaches us that psychological defenses can take many forms. Also to be appreciated is that human nature is the underlying driver of the presence of psychological and social defenses that takes the form of denial, splitting, and projection. Those planning and leading organizational change must be prepared to be open to the not-so-rational possibilities that human nature introduces into the rational, economic-man model of the workplace. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the challenge of managing and healing these splits that create some of the worst outcomes of organizational fragmentation.
