Polarity Management

Polarities are reoccurring, inescapable, impossible problems. They may also be known as paradoxes, dilemmas or wicked troubles. They are problems that have two opposite yet equally correct answers. To compound their quandary, these two opposite solutions rely on each other; they are co-dependent.

Polarities cannot be dealt with by using conventional problem-solving methods; how can you fully solve a problem that not only has two answers, but two answers that need each other? You can’t, and attempting to do so will actually only be destructive. Polarities also can not be ignored, or they will sabotage any situation, so they must be managed. Organizations, teams and leaders would do well to learn to distinguish between a problem to solve and a polarity to manage, as well as how to effectively execute both.

The Polarity Management™ model and set of principles are easy-to-understand tools used to break down complex polarities in work and personal life. They explain the difference between Solvable Problems and Polarities, as well as how to manage Polarities to increase productivity, effectiveness and overall success.

Understanding Polarities:

• Polarities are not stagnant; they constantly move back and forth between the two correct answers to the problem, or poles. The movement flows from the downside of one pole to the upside of the other.

• As the flow reaches the top of one pole, it will hit a limit and start to sink. Once it reaches the bottom of that pole, the problem will get more uncomfortable and the attractiveness of the other answer will pull the flow up into the other pole. Then it will reach that limit, sink down and the whole process will start over again, taking on the shape of an infinity loop.

• For example, inhale and hold your breath. The longer you hold your breath, the worse it feels (the downside of inhaling) and the more attractive exhaling (the opposite answer of breathing) becomes.

• As a demonstration, follow your own breathing process through the boxes in the Polarity Map below. Start in the Top Left Box, and follow the process loop.

A. Take a deep breath and hold it. Close your eyes and think about how good the fresh oxygen feels in your lungs.

B. Eventually the inhalation doesn’t feel so good as all the oxygen is converted to carbon dioxide. As the flow sinks downward the downside of the pole starts to get uncomfortable and the upside of the other pole, exhaling, starts to look much better.

C. Now, let the breath out to get rid of all the carbon dioxide. Now that feels good….for a while.

D. Eventually the exhale reaches its natural limit and starts to sink to the downside….not enough oxygen. Now you start to want to inhale, and the whole process begins again.

Spotting the Differences Between Solvable Problems and Polarities:

• Solvable Problems have 1 right answer and Polarities have 2 or more right answers that are interdependent.

• Solvable Problems can be addressed with Traditional Problem Solving methods. These methods usually involve an “Either/Or” orientation. We automatically revert to traditional problem solving methods because so many problems that we encounter in our work and personal lives have a single correct answer.

• Polarities, however, must be managed, i.e. calibrated back and forth between the two correct answers. A “Both/And” attitude must be used to find and manage the two correct answers.

Managing Polarities:

• Once a Polarity is identified and the two or more answers are understood, “Action Steps” can help to acquire and maintain the upsides of both poles (the best of both worlds!) Identifying “Action Steps”, structures, policies, or practices, and following through with them, will insure that you gain or maintain the positive results in each upside box.

• On the opposite side of identifying the steps to strive for, one should also identify the “Early Warnings” or red flags that will help you to know when you are reaching the downside of the pole. This will help you avoid wasting too much time and resources trying to survive in the uncomfortable environment of the downside of each pole.

Feel free to contact us for more information about Polarity Management.

Check out “Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems” by Barry Johnson on our resources page.

Check out these good sites on Polarity Management:

http://www.polaritymanagement.com/

http://www.polaritymanagement.com/FPM09det.pdf

http://blogs.bnet.com/mba/?p=145