The diva is/in the organization: exploring personal/interpersonal/organizational dynamics and their enactment

Abstract

The authors discuss the diva syndrome, as a particular combination of avoidant and narcissistic personality disorder was dubbed by the self-help group for artists that defined it. The diva syndrome in this group was an unconscious enactment between the underlying dynamics of the founder and many of the members of the board of directors, which had been chosen by her. This enactment was subverting both the successful functioning of the organization and the possibility of an orderly succession of leadership. The authors describe their efforts to help the organization, its founder, and its board of directors acknowledge and work through the enactment, and learn to take the diva syndrome constructively into account while planning the group's next phase of growth and development.