Corporations as Dysfunctional Families

Stress in the workplace is not just due to staff cuts, tight deadlines, and limited resources. There is also a subtler, pervasive factor contributing to employees’ stress. That is the underlying dynamic of the corporation and the individuals that make it up. I think of corporations as big dysfunctional families. The CEO is the admired and feared parent. Coworkers are siblings, complete with rivalry.

Stress in the workplace is not just due to staff cuts, tight deadlines, and limited resources. There is also a subtler, pervasive factor contributing to employees’ stress. That is the underlying dynamic of the corporation and the individuals that make it up. I think of corporations as big dysfunctional families. The CEO is the admired and feared parent. Coworkers are siblings, complete with rivalry.

In his book, The Psychodynamics of Work and Organizations (1993, Guilford Press), William Czander states: “Because the organization is a hierarchical system, it closely resembles the family structure, and the competitive nature of work requires that one continuously move up or ahead and achieve the top position. Psychodynamically, all employees want to be the favored child of the idealized leader, and all want to take the leader’s place. Jealousy of the leader’s power, perks, and position often precipitates an array of affects, most of which are prohibited and not expressed.”

Because these feelings cannot be expressed, they often come out in other ways. For example, one member of a team undermines another’s efforts, even though both team members would be best served by working together cooperatively to achieve their goals. Gossip and rumors are other common ways that employees compete and undermine each other. As in families, the CEO/parent often doesn’t see everything that’s going on amongst the employees. Favoritism exists, and can lead to further jealousy and bitterness.

Conversely, almost all human beings seek connection with others and fear loneliness and abandonment. But sometimes these underlying fears and desires lead to behaviors which actually push others away. Sometimes we actually invite the thing we fear most.

Sometimes corporations need psychotherapy as much as individuals do.

If you have work stories you’d like to share, I’ll respond with my thoughts on some of the underlying dynamics.

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