The Power of BothAnd for Organizations Neesa Sweet 847 2662677 neesasweetbraidedrivergroupcom Polarity Thinking and Maps c Barry Johnson and Polarity Partners used by permission Neesa Sweet ID: 357403
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Polarity Thinking*The Power of “Both/And” for Organizations
Neesa Sweet
847 266-2677neesasweet@braidedrivergroup.com
*Polarity Thinking and Maps c Barry Johnson and Polarity Partners– used by permissionSlide2
Neesa SweetBraided River GroupHelping people and organizations work better together!2
Who Am I?Slide3
Polarity Thinking Has Been UsedBusinessHealthcareFederal AgenciesMunicipalitiesPolice DepartmentsMilitarySocial Service3Slide4
Why is it Useful?Help in dealing with competing prioritiesA shared language and shorthand for talking about issues and dilemmasA 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 betterPrevent unproductive cycles that waste time, energy and emotion4Slide5
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”5Slide6
A Natural Force6Discovered by Dr. Barry JohnsonSlide7
We Need to Breathe In AND Breathe OutWe Can’t Make a Choice to Do One OR The Other7Staying AliveAvoiding DeathSlide8
Two Stories to Illustrate8Localized and Centralized
Task and RelationshipSlide9
First Distinguish:Is it a Problem or a Polarity?Problems get “solved” and go awayPolarities represent ongoing situations and dilemmasProblemsWhen should we fix which street?Who should be assigned to this task?Should we buy this equipment?Polarities stick aroundHow 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!
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Use the right tool!Slide10
Two interdependent forces, beliefs or ways of beingBoth 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 oscillationOveremphasis on one to the neglect of the other actually creates what you most fearPolarities NEED each other over time to maintain performance
What Defines a Polarity?
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Life
DeathSlide11
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 canGive something a nameHave a sense of controlSee the patterns that affect usMake the invisible visible11
Limbic System
Prefrontal
Cortex (PFC)Slide12
Some Common Polarities12
Action
Debate
Mission
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 SecuritySlide13
Using Polarity ThinkingIf there seems to be a conflict between two valid points of view:Listen for the content in terms of four quadrantsDraw a simple map about what you’re hearingSee the wisdom in the “resistance”Use the map to help others see all the points of viewSee if you can find a higher purpose and help others see it13Slide14
Map ItUpsideSafetyProtectionInsurance considerationsBeyond criticismUpsideAdds to attractiveness of townTake advantage of natural resourceProperty valuesRecreation fosters enjoyment, citizenship, safety, good valuesDownside
RestrictiveMay prevent activityFosters fearMay invite attention
DownsideMay not see real dangerMay harm somethingMay cause carelessnessMay call unwelcome attention
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Protect Resources
Enjoy ResourcesSlide15
Map It: Polarity Map15Slide16
Map It: Polarity Map16Slide17
Map It: Polarity Map17Slide18
Map It: Polarity Map18Slide19
Map It: Polarity Map19Slide20
The Polarity Energy Cycle20Infinity Loop Shows FlowSlide21
Infinity Loop Lets You Track How Polarity is Managed21
Well Balanced Polarity
Ready for the Future
Unbalanced Polarity
Will Soon Start to Experience the
Downside of Change
Too Much Time in Downsides
Falling Behind
Unbalanced Polarity
Missing Advantages of ChangeSlide22
Polarity Maps Are FlexiblePolarity Maps can be used on a flipchart, a piece of paper, a napkin or a computerThe 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.22Slide23
PACT The Polarity Assessment for Continuity and Transformation Computer Converts Quadrant Content into Survey
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Graphic by Margaret Seidler Associates, used by permissionSlide24
Stakeholders Answer Survey Questions24Slide25
Computer Collects Open Ended Feedback25Slide26
Computer Converts Survey Answers Back to Original Polarity Maps26Slide27
Resulting Map27Slide28
Computer Provides Comparative Management InformationBreakdown by questionsUnlimited demographic comparisons between groups
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Report revisits action steps and early warnings based on results29Slide30
Thank YouNeesa Sweetneesasweet@braidedrivergroup.com847 266-2677
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