Encyclopedia of Leadership

In managing polarities, watch for two dysfunctional camps, each with an either–or mind

set (half the picture):

➠ Crusaders see the status quo as a mistake, and want to move toward the upside of

change (their solution).

➠ Tradition-bearers approach change as a mistake, seeing only what might be lost and the

downsides of change.

HOW TO USE THIS LEADERSHIP TOOL

“... in our organizations, there are often very serious and costly confrontations that take place because a

‘both/and’ polarity is treated like an ‘either/or’ problem to solve.”

—Barry Johnson, POLARITY MANAGEMENT

Follow these steps to manage polarities:

1. Get those who have a stake in the issue together, and name the polarity or polarities
   that seem to be at the heart of the issue.


2. As in the diagram on the worksheet, discuss the upsides and downsides of the polarity
   or polarities that seem to be present (each of the four quadrants, as shown). Visibly
   record collective agreements.


3. Decide on action plans to maximize the benefits and minimize the downsides of the
   polarity. (Examples might be providing alternatives so that some work could be direct-
   ed toward team goals, and some toward individual goals; the same could be done for
   rewards and recognition, roles and responsibilities, and so on.)

When dealing with two dysfunctional camps (crusaders and tradition-bearers), do the best

you can to help both develop a more balanced perspective of the upsides and downsides in the

change being proposed. Help crusaders find value in what others have built, and help tradi-

tion-bearers accept that a degree of risk accompanies any benefit of change.

SECTION 7 TOOLS FORPROBLEMSOLVING, DECISIONMAKING, ANDQUALITY 213

Some Upsides:

• quick action—no need to involve others


• encourages individual initiative


• efficient—no need for meetings


• can work in idiosyncratic ways

Some Downsides:

• loss of team synergy


• selfishness, small-mindedness


• loneliness


• loss of sharing and organizational learning

Some Upsides:

• support and encouragement of others


• can achieve things as a team that
  individual could not


• a sense of belonging

Some Downsides:

• groupthink


• time-consuming


• need to deal with interpersonal conflicts

Individual Team

The Individual—Team Polarity