The rock stars of paradox research, Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis, just released their book, “Both/And Leadership: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems” in which they say early-on: From page 11: We draw from Eastern philosophy, such as that set forth by Lao Tzu in the Tao Te Ching and from Western philosophy, [...]
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant (2021) is a new addition to the growing body of mainstream books about mental blindspots, cognitive biases, and thinking errors. Every individual possesses cognitive tools and accumulated knowledge that they regularly rely upon. But we rarely question or consider this knowledge which includes [...]
A friend asked me for Polarity Maps that might be helpful in this difficult time. I’m sharing several that are part of a chapter for the Volume 2 of “And” Making a Difference by Leveraging Polarity, Paradox or Dilemma (which hasn’t been published and the attached hasn’t been edited for publication, FYI). Technically, I shouldn’t [...]
In the following two articles, Barry Johnson discusses: Individual Freedom And The Common Good Both are essential in the fight against COVID-19 for our recovery and our future. AND how we can go about: Winning On Two Fronts – Health And Economy Polarity Thinking can save lives, strengthen the economy, and speed the national recovery. [...]
Diversity/Inclusion/Equity -- REFERENCES: Battalora, Jacqueline, Birth of a White Nation Singh, Anneliese, Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing THERE IS A WHOLE BOOK THIS IS JUST AN EXCERPT K. Kellogg Foundation, Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Implementation Guidebook, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, December 2016 [...]
It’s officially a pattern now that I'm inspired to create a blogpost after a meeting with my Undoing Racism friends/colleagues. After our last meeting, I posted “Masks – as PPE and Metaphor”, that included poetry (Paul Lawrence “We Wear the Mask”) and a video of Maya Angelou reciting the poem. Our meeting last night involved a poem and a [...]
I have a client who shares (with pride) that he’s “Type A ADHD.” He’s also Harvard educated and former military. His energy level is super-high. After our coaching sessions I feel like working-out and breaking all my previous personal records. Yesterday he said, “COVID has kicked in the #@$&*^ door for new possibilities.” Actually, that’s [...]
BTW -- "Confronting the Brutal Facts" and "Unwavering Faith" comes from Jim Collins Good-to-Great -- the Stockdale Paradox, which is discussed in a previous post.
“The safest place in a bad storm is the hard truth”. Admiral Stockdale Stockdale's Paradox/Polarity of Reality and Faith is wisdom for our times. Hopefully, the piece below taken from Good-to-Great (plus some additional resources is useful for you. COLLINS: I asked, “Who didn’t make it out?” STOCKDALE: “Oh, that’s easy, the optimists.” COLLINS: “The [...]
"Mask" is a metaphor that's familiar to an "Undoing Racism" group I've been meeting with going on 4 years now. We have a good time together, but our work isn't always fun or easy. Becoming aware of our individual and collective masks requires creating a trusting space for courage and vulnerability. From that container emerges learning, healing, and growth -- [...]