Balancing Conflicting Responses To Complex Problems (Applied Polarity “Both/And” Thinking)

PROBLEM As a manager and leader, you will deal with complex problems, dilemmas and tensions where there are no simple solutions or clear answers. What makes your job even harder is having to manage all the opposing views and conflicting responses of the people involved. Is it possible to help everyone navigate a more balanced way forward?

SOLUTION In this workshop, you’ll learn polarity thinking, a foundational critical thinking model that has helped leaders everywhere process the complex problems they face and respond more effectively to the conflicting views of everyone involved.

You’ll learn how to distinguish when a situation can be resolved with a simple “Either/Or” and navigated by talking through the multiple “Both/Ands”. You’ll discover some of the foundational polarities that will challenge every person, leader and organisation no matter where they go. And you’ll practice working with people with different biases and conflicting perspectives to reach some kind of balanced response. 

• Learn how to use “Both/And” thinking (polarity thinking) to think through dilemmas, integrate diverse views and respond with next steps in a balanced way

• Distinguish when things can be resolved with a simple “Either/Or” or must be navigated by helping people think through the multiple “Both/Ands".

• Discover the basic underlying polarising dilemmas that will challenge every person, leader and organisation no matter where they go.

• Understand how to recognise your bias within those foundational polarities and unpack how your biases can stack.

• Practice using the polarity framework to guide yourself and others to respond to dilemmas in a balanced way despite having different biases and conflicting perspectives.