Change Leadership

using Polarity Thinking Approach

Change is paradoxical. It is a factor of two forces - the desire to stay the same (Stability) and desire to change (Transformation)- that are always in conflict and interdependent at the same time. The desire to stay the same is rooted in our need for stability, predictability, and security. Conversely, the desire to change is driven by our aspiration for growth, innovation, and adaptation. ?Because of the above, conceptions of change as smooth, linear and planned vanish, as does the expectation that one can lead change using Either/Or problem-solving lens we use every day to solve those problems with one or more right answers that are independent. ?There is another necessary paradigm around leveraging polarities/paradoxes through Polarity (BOTH/AND) thinking that is necessary when leading change. Unlike traditional problem-solving thinking which often seeks to find a single solution, polarity thinking recognises that certain challenges are not problems to be solved but polarities (interdependent pairs that work together to give better results) to be managed.

Change Leadership thus is the practice of consciously working in the middle of the change polarity/paradox to unclog blockages and remove interferences that slow down or make a change movement get stuck. It entails engaging deeply with tensions and facilitating an ongoing conversation to identify and manage the dilemmas/paradoxes/polarities that are creating the tensions. It requires leaders to be open, reflective and aware of how the way they show up enables or inhibits change. ?

To be a change leader, it is important to:

1. See the whole. In change, "the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts." To 'see more' pay attention to the complexity around you, identify tensions agitating for change, stay with these tensions to allow underlying dilemmas/polarities/paradoxes to surface. Tension usually sits in the middle of the two poles of change.
2. Recognise that ongoing tensions provide the impetus for change/transformation.? Tensions show up as continuous resistance, stuckness, conflict, polarisation, fear, blame games, paralyses, contradictions, etc. They highlight areas where polarities exist but are not managed as interdependent pairs - for example, when we over focus on the existing culture and fail to, at the same time, build a culture that will sustain the organisation in the future or we over focus on systems and structures at the expense of the people factor. Tensions also point to us the things that are not working smoothly, prompting the need to adjust/resolve these conflicts and improve the overall functioning of the organisation. Therefore do not dismiss tension as inconsequential or something that will go away eventually.? It doesn’t!
3. Leverage polarities to spur change. Use a recognised framework for managing polarities to bring stakeholders together to notice and sense tensions that are agitating for change, identify underlying polarities, agree on a desired measurable goal, leverage the identified polarity, align the change goals to the strategy of the organisation, implement interventions, monitor and report progress.

Polarity thinking is a way of looking at complex problems that involve opposing forces or ideas, both of which have value and are necessary. Instead of trying to choose one side over the other, polarity thinking focuses on balancing and managing both sides to get the best of both worlds. It's about seeing issues as "both/and" rather than "either/or" and finding ways to leverage the strengths of both sides while minimising their downsides.

The Change Leadership and Immersion Certification (CLiC? ) Program is designed to build core practical knowledge and skills in leading change using polarity thinking. The Program applies the Polarity Approach to Continuity and Transformation (PACT?) approach, developed by Barry Johnson and Polarity Partnerships.

Would you be interested to learn more? Check out our website at https://changeleadershipinstitute.net/clic/ to register for the CLiC? Program or drop us an email at [email protected] to book a free 30 Minutes Session with one of our consultants

by Njeri Faith

Change leadership & Polarity Thinking and Performance Measurement Coach, Trainer, Consultant

June 10, 2024