Polarity Management

Leaders constantly face polarities (chronic tensions, dilemmas and paradoxes) connected with different aspects of leadership and the groups, teams and communities they lead. Polarities manifest themselves for example as tensions between action and inner life; between values and leader’s efficiency; between values and interests; between team’s solidarity and its efficiency.

When inadequately addressed or unaddressed, tensions can lead to conflict and radicalisation, and ultimately to burnout. This is why it is crucial for leaders to be able to manage them and transform them into sources of creative energy for the whole organisation.

Two Wings Institute offers a two-day introductory training in polarity management using Barry Johnson’s Polarity Thinking™ method.

The core principle of Polarity Thinking™ is to approach tensions and polarities (dilemmas, chronic tensions, paradoxes) in such a way that they bring out energy that serves the entire organization.

During the training Participants:

  • will learn what tensions (polarities) are and how they work in the lives of individuals, organizations and communities;

  • they will learn to distinguish between solving problems according to the “either/or” scheme and extracting energy from tensions according to the “i/i ” scheme;

  • they will see why the “either/or” scheme does not help in tension situations;

  • will appreciate resistance as a valuable resource in making meaningful, sustainable changes.