An insightful and inspiring book on using "both/and" thinking to make more creative, flexible, and impactful decisions in a world of competing demands.Life is full of paradoxes. How can we each express our individuality while also being a team player? How do we balance work and life? How can we improve diversity while promoting opportunities for all? How can we manage the core business while innovating for the future?For many of us, these competing and interwoven demands are a source of conflict. Since our brains love to make either-or choices, we choose one option over the other. We deal with the uncertainty by asserting certainty.There's a better way.In Both/And Thinking, Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis help readers cope with multiple, knotted tensions at the same time. Drawing from more than twenty years of pioneering research, they provide tools and lessons for transforming these tensions into opportunities for innovation and personal growth.Filled with practical advice and fascinating stories—including firsthand tales from IBM, LEGO, and Unilever, as well as from startups, nonprofits, and even an inn at one of the four corners of the world—Both/And Thinking will change the way you approach your most vexing problems.
"Both/And Thinking" introduces the concept of paradoxes as persistent, interdependent contradictions that present our toughest problems. It encourages readers to embrace these tensions rather than resorting to either/or thinking. This shift in mindset can unlock more creative, sustainable solutions in both personal and professional contexts.
Expected Outcomes:
Tensions arise from opposing expectations, leading to internal conflict.
Dilemmas present choices between seemingly mutually exclusive alternatives.
Paradoxes are deeper, interwoven contradictions that persist over time.
Example: The tension between "work" and "life" creates a dilemma of choosing one over the other. However, underlying it is the paradox of self and other, or discipline and spontaneity.
Either/or thinking simplifies complexity, often leading to limited or detrimental solutions.
Both/and thinking embraces tensions, acknowledging the interdependence of opposing forces.
Detailed Explanation: Rather than choosing stability or change, for instance, consider how stability can facilitate change and vice versa.
Action Suggestion: When facing a choice, identify the underlying paradox and ask, "How can I address both sides simultaneously?"
Change: Rapid technological advancement requires adapting to competing demands between present and future.
Scarcity: Limited resources intensify the tension between self-interest and collaboration.
Plurality: Globalization and diverse perspectives highlight the conflict between unified views and local customs.
Example: Climate change challenges paradoxes with system-level/individual-level changes.
Example: Issues of diversity and racial justice challenge the paradox of inclusion/exclusion.
A: "Both/and" thinking enables creative, sustainable solutions by embracing the interdependence of conflicting forces, moving beyond the limitations of either/or choices.
A: Start by noticing tensions or dilemmas you face. Look for the underlying opposing forces that define and reinforce each other, such as the need for stability versus the desire for change.
A: Rapid change intensifies the tensions between present and future, making it essential to adopt "both/and" thinking to navigate these dynamic environments effectively.
The book is targeted towards leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, and individuals seeking to improve their decision-making skills and navigate complex problems in both their professional and personal lives. It is relevant for those who want to foster creativity, innovation, and sustainable solutions in a world of competing demands.
The book addresses the increasing complexities of the modern world, characterized by rapid technological change, dwindling natural resources, and expansive globalization. It references historical and philosophical concepts dating back thousands of years, suggesting a timeless relevance to the challenges individuals and organizations face today.
