Polarity Management

Leadership & Change

A framework for managing ongoing tensions between two interdependent values (both/and rather than either/or).

When to use this:

Navigating dilemmas with no single right answer, balancing competing priorities, managing paradoxes.

Example situations:

  • •"Balancing speed vs. quality in delivery"
  • •"Managing centralization vs. autonomy tension"

The 5 Steps:

  1. 1. Identify the Polarity — Name both poles of the tension
  2. 2. Describe the Positives — Identify the benefits of each pole
  3. 3. Describe the Negatives — Identify the downsides of overemphasizing each pole
  4. 4. Identify Early Warnings — Recognize signs you're going too far toward one pole
  5. 5. Create Action Plan — Develop strategies to leverage both poles

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