Group+Solidarity

=Group Solidarity= This simplest way to understand group solidarity as a barrier or form of resistance to change is to think of a mother protecting her cubs. In the wild, a mother will vigilantly guard her cubs from any hint of danger or threat. She will, when a change to the safety of her environment is perceived, defend her offspring from harm. Although intended adopters do not have six inch claws and razor sharp teeth, groups can, when presented with a change, adamantly resist. Often, leaders within a social unit (i.e. school department) will defend members of their group and resist any change they feel will negatively impact their members.

Similar to the hiker, whose best means of avoiding an attack from a protective mother is to be aware of the environment and understand animal habitat, so to can the change agent combat group solidarity by identifying all affected groups. Once the groups have been identified and the relationships between these groups analyzed the change agent can provided specific support targeted at toward these groups.