polarity thinking* the power of “both/and” for organizations neesa sweet 847 266-2677...
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Polarity Thinking*The Power of “Both/And” for
Organizations
Neesa Sweet847 [email protected]
*Polarity Thinking and Maps c Barry Johnson and Polarity Partners– used by permission
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Neesa SweetBraided River Group
Helping people and organizations work better together!
Who Am I?
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Polarity Thinking Has Been Used
• Business• Healthcare• Federal Agencies• Municipalities• Police Departments• Military• Social Service
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Why is it Useful?
• Help in dealing with competing priorities• A shared language and shorthand for talking about
issues and dilemmas• A paper and pencil, flipchart or computer based tool
to help uncover unconscious and “hidden” factors that influence what we do so we can manage them better
• Prevent unproductive cycles that waste time, energy and emotion
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I’m hoping you will leave…
• Asking “Is it a problem or a polarity?”• Looking for and seeing “pairs”• Seeking both/and, and the “best of both”
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We Need to Breathe In AND Breathe OutWe Can’t Make a Choice to Do One OR The Other
Staying Alive
Avoiding Death
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Two Stories to Illustrate
Localized and CentralizedTask and Relationship
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First Distinguish:Is it a Problem or a Polarity?
Problems get “solved” and go awayPolarities represent ongoing situations
and dilemmas
• Problems– When should we fix which street?– Who should be assigned to this task?– Should we buy this equipment?
• Polarities stick around– How can we get people to work in teams?– How can we improve citizen well-being?– How can we make faster decisions?
The inability to distinguish between problems and polarities leads to wasted time, money and energy!
Use the right tool!
• Two interdependent forces, beliefs or ways of being
• Both are “good”, neither is “bad”• Overemphasis on one to the neglect of the
other leads to its “downside”• Overemphasis on one to the neglect of the
other” leads to oscillation• Overemphasis on one to the neglect of the
other actually creates what you most fear• Polarities NEED each other over time to
maintain performance
What Defines a Polarity?
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Life
Death
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Why Do We Want to “See” Polarities?
• Polarity Mapping helps us get the most from our brains so we can create strategies to get the “best of both”.
• Our brains work better when we can– Give something a name– Have a sense of control– See the patterns that affect us– Make the invisible visible
Limbic System
Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)
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Some Common Polarities
Action DebateMission Margin
Be Focused Hang Loose
Directive Decisions Participative Decisions
Build Relationships Get the Job Done
Task Relatinship
Individual Community
Change Stability
Collaboration Competition
Creativity Standardization
Innovation Tradition
Long Term Short Term
Values Driven Practicality Driven
Cost Quality
Information Sharing Information Security
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Using Polarity Thinking
• If there seems to be a conflict between two valid points of view:– Listen for the content in terms of four quadrants– Draw a simple map about what you’re hearing– See the wisdom in the “resistance”– Use the map to help others see all the points of view– See if you can find a higher purpose and help others see it
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Map It
Upside
SafetyProtectionInsurance considerationsBeyond criticism
Upside
Adds to attractiveness of townTake advantage of natural resourceProperty valuesRecreation fosters enjoyment, citizenship, safety, good values
Downside
RestrictiveMay prevent activityFosters fearMay invite attention
Downside
May not see real dangerMay harm somethingMay cause carelessnessMay call unwelcome attention
Protect Resources
Enjoy Resources
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Infinity Loop Lets You Track How Polarity is Managed
Well Balanced PolarityReady for the Future
Unbalanced PolarityWill Soon Start to Experience the
Downside of Change
Too Much Time in DownsidesFalling Behind
Unbalanced PolarityMissing Advantages of Change
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Polarity Maps Are Flexible
Polarity Maps can be used on a flipchart, a piece of paper, a napkin or a computer
The power of the maps comes from their ability to surface issues and tensions, to do so in a way that honors the validity of different ways of approaching situations, and that builds in mechanisms for both action and reflection.
Once people understand the concept of polarities—they begin to see interconnected pairs in many facets of their work. They are able to use these insights to clarify and address important issues, to make better decisions and to take more decisive action.
PACT The Polarity Assessment for Continuity and Transformation Computer Converts Quadrant Content into Survey
23Graphic by Margaret Seidler Associates, used by permission
Computer Provides Comparative Management Information
Breakdown by questions Unlimited demographic comparisons between groups
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