Silos; cliques; good ole' boy networks; and workplace posse. How do you know that you are in one? The easiest way to identify that you have been gang initiated is by referring to the rest of the organization's structures as "they," or "them."

It starts out very subtly. The test question of the self-appointed "recruitment officer," of this particular gang hits you with the question, "Sooooo, what do you think of (fill in the blank)?" You'll notice that the curvature of their eyes change as they eagerly anticipate your answer. You'll also notice that post-answer, a smile or a nonchalant shrug will follow, depending upon how you respond to their inquisitive inquiry. This is inevitable in every functioning organization. But the "they and them," epidemic does not have to permeate and infect the rest of your organization. Appropriate leadership r ...