EARTHQUAKE EFFECT

These triggers of social identity conflict bring tensions from society into the organization. Faultlines in society that may have been dormant erupt, making social identity salient. When social identity is salient, the human tendency is to categorize people into in-groups (people like me) and out-groups (people not like me). This classification process helps people to interpret their world. However, when it happens at work, the underlying social issues can cause conflict that disrupts work processes. If a trigger is not addressed, the conflict can escalate, involving more and more people.

The leadership challenge in such situations is the daunting task of confronting and addressing these conflicts. Although the degree to which ...

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