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Human Relations
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What's Playing in the Organizational Theater? Collusive Relationships in Management

Manfred E R. Kets de Vries

INSEAD, Bd de Constance, 77305 Fontainebleau, Cedex, Fontainebleau, France.

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.

Key Words: superior-subordinate relationship • leadership behavior • projective identification • narcissistic collusion • controlling collusion • paranoid collusion • sadomasochistic collusion • folie a deux • transference • identification with the aggressor

Human Relations, Vol. 52, No. 6, 745-773 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/001872679905200604
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