Polarities (wicked problems or paradoxes) ongoing, chronic issues that are unavoidable and unsolvable. Applying tradition problem skills will make things worse. By acknowledging you are dealing with a polarity, you must manage the polarity well.
The Polarity Management™ model will help you to distinguish between Solvable Problems and Polarities. “Is this a problem we can solve or is it an ongoing polarity we must manage well?” In case of polarities, this model and set of principles will help you to effectively deal with those polarities.
As a leader it is important to distinguish between a problem to solve and a polarity to manage and are effective with both.
Polarity Management can help with the following:
- Simplify the complexity without being simplistic
- Capitalize on diversity without alienating the diverse groups
- Provide predictability and stability amidst accelerating change
- Convert resistance to change to a resource for sustainable, ongoing change-ability