Organizations fascinate me.  For all the talk about the power of one, one man in the name of love, etc, organizations have the ower to affect a lot, change the world.  I’ll just name the obvious ones – Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon.  The small ones matter too, sometimes tails wag dogs, not the size of the dog, size of fight in the dog.  My boss’ eyes glazed over when I described institutional theory – how organizations evolve, learn. adapt, and exert their will.  Unfortunate, because he really had such a key role but didn’t realize it.  He literally had the power to affect 8.5 million NYCers.  Instead, he focused on grammar lessons for the paralegals and news articles about him.  I really did like the man and I do miss him.  He was at least a nice guy at heart.

Organizations also exist on the darker side of the spectrum – cults, organized crime, gangs, discussed below.

Gangs weren’t my specialty.  I vaguely learned how to make the Blood sign and a passable version of the Crip walk.  I learned a ton from a close, respected friend.  How they form, function, etc.  Eye-opening.  Insightful.  Troubling.  

Until I realized I had joined one of the biggest gangs of all.  Historically, I purposely sought out big organizations for employment – for legitimacy, potential for impact, name recognition.  But also for reasons why people join gangs (yes, I know not mutually exclusive, also applicable to legit ones) – purpose, common goal, belonging, the power of many.

Sometimes, I worry about the boy and girl – not that they would join a gang, but lead one.  I’m not sure whether to be scared, intrigued, or even smile a bit.