And: Making a Difference by Leveraging Polarity, Paradox or Dilemma (Polarity Partnerships)

Also Consider AND Volume 2, by Polarity Partnerships and Barry Johnson, ISBN: 978-1-61014-459-9AND is a resource for people who want to make a positive difference. How? By overcoming two obstacles: resistance to change and polarization. From a problem-solving perspective, either of these challenges could be overwhelming. From a Polarity Thinking™ perspective, both can be addressed by replacing Or with And when And is required. Regardless of the size of the system that you want to change, this book guides you through a clear process: Seeing: Is this an issue where And is required?Mapping: How can I see a more complete picture and respect alternative views?Assessing: How are we doing with this polarity?Learning: What can we learn from our assessment results?Leveraging: What action steps will we take to make a positive difference?Reading this book will help you address resistance to your efforts to make a difference. Also, it will help you address chronic conflicts that become vicious cycles as both sides become more polarized. You will learn when and how to bring And into your efforts to make a positive difference. When done well, supplementing Or-thinking with And-thinking will help you convert the wisdom of those resisting change into a resource to support a more effective change. And-thinking will help you join polarized groups and convert a vicious cycle into a benefit for all. The results will benefit both groups and the larger system of which they are a part.Praise for AND“Polarity Thinking has revolutionized how we approach tough problems in our work. In today’s complex world of politics and advocacy, identifying ways to better leverage key polarities has exponentially increased our impact.”Lanae EricksonSenior Vice President for Social Policy & Politics :: Third Way“The fight for equity, inclusion, social justice and humanity is not an ‘or’ argument. It is a ‘must’ argument which can only be achieved when advocates and allies augment either/Or-thinking with both/And-thinking.”Eddie Moore, Jr., PhD; Founder/Program Director, The White Privilege Conference“Polarity Thinking is one of the essential disciplines underlying our vital and never-ending search for win-win solutions to our many challenges and dilemmas. Barry Johnson has given us an invaluable gift in creating – and now deepening – this powerful tool. Along with systems thinking, Polarity Thinking is an essential skill that should be part of the education of every human being on the planet, especially anyone charged with leadership responsibilities.”Raj Sisodia; FW Olin Distinguished Professor of Global Business, Babson College; Co-founder & Co-Chairman, Conscious Capitalism Inc.“ I am no longer perplexed by the chronic conflict and polarization I see in organizations and in the world. I can access the energy flow between two wants and hold the whole. That is how I make a difference in my circle of influence, and I am confident others will benefit as much as I have.”Shareefah Sabur, MA, MNO, CDP, GPCC, BCC; Executive Director, Gestalt Institute of Cleveland“Polarity Thinking is the most elegant approach to dealing with the critical issues that we wrestle with in institutions, organizations, and groups the world over. Barry’s vision has energized and innovated my own work. Polarity Thinking has made such a difference in the work I do with leaders at all levels and the design of programs and interventions with those leaders and their organizations.”David Magellan HorthDirector of Innovation Venturing and Partnerships / Senior Fellow, Center for Creative Leadership Read more