1. Presented to ASQ Portland Section March 14, 2017 by Linda Landauer
Managing Polarities
Presented to ASQ Portland Section March 14, 2017 by Linda Landauer

2. Types of Problems
Choice – Select one option from 2 or more possibilities
Issue – Disagreement based on conflicting values or strongly held beliefs
‘Problem to Solve’ – Using root cause analysis, DOE, or other tools to discover and implement best solution
Polarity – sometimes called a dilemma or a paradox

3. What Is This?

4. Key Questions Is this problem ongoing?
Are the two alternatives interdependent?
Is it necessary over time to have both upsides?
Will a focus on only one side undermine the success of the team’s mission?

5. Breathing Polarity ∞
SOLUTION?
PROBLEM

6. Activity AND Rest

7. Inreach AND Outreach

8. Stability AND Change

9. Polarity Principles
The normal flow of energy is an infinity loop, the ongoing self-correction from downside of one pole to the upside of the other pole.
Two viewpoints, each with a valued upside and the feared opposing downside.
Overfocus on one pole will lead to the down-sides of both poles.
The smaller or less powerful a subgroup, the more it needs to be listened to.

10. DIY Polarity Map
L +
R +
Critical Analysis
Encouragement
L -
R -

11. Exercise Report-out
Did you have any difficulties with building the polarity map? Did you have any ‘aha!’ thoughts about the polarity map you were developing? Is there a particular application for which you might use a polarity map at work?

12. Polarity Management Skills
… can help you
Increase your ability to distinguish between problems you can solve and ones that are “unsolvable.”
You will save time and energy by not attempting to solve polarity problems.
Your decision-making skills will improve.

13. Polarity Management Skills
… can also help you
Increase your ability to manage those ‘unsolvable’ workplace dilemmas.
Better understanding of resistance
More effective negotiating
More effective as a mediator or facilitator
Better able to anticipate and minimize problems when dealing with polarities

14. Resources
Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems by Barry Johnson – 2014 The Power of Paradox: Harness the Energy of Competing Ideas to Uncover Radically Innovative Solutions by Deborah Schroeder-Saulnier – 2014 Polarity Thinking In Healthcare: The Missing Logic to Achieve Transformation by Bonnie Wesorick – 2015 Unleashing the Positive Power of Differences: Polarity Thinking in Our Schools by Jane A. G. Kise – 2013 Polarity Coaching: Coaching People & Managing Polarities by Kathy Anderson – 2010

15. Resources – cont.
Managing Polarities in Congregations: Eight Keys for Thriving Faith Communities by Roy M. Oswald and Barry Johnson Power Surge: A Conduit for Enlightened Leadership by Margaret Seidler – 2008 The Three Tensions: Winning the Struggle to Perform Without Compromise by Dominic Dodd and Ken Favaro – 2007 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t by Jim Collins – 2001 Paradoxical Thinking: How to Profit from Your Contradictions by Jerry Fletcher and Kelle Olwyler

16. Thank You!
Questions?