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Problem Solving VS. Polarity Management:
You need to know the difference!
Critical Thinking Tool for SC Leaders
Causal Loop Diagrams
Stock & Flow Maps
Value Stream Mapping
Behavior Over Time Graphs Current &
Future
Reality
Trees
Evaporating Cloud Diagrams
Quality Function Deployment
Bala
nced
Sco
re C
ard
Collaborative Planning Forecasting & Replenishment
Cause & Effect Diagramming
Executive S&OP
Building Information Modeling
Polarity Mapping
PolarityAn interdependence between two ends of a continuum
where both ends represent opposites that NEED to exist to ensure the long-term success of an entity.
Too much Carbon Dioxide
Too little Oxygen
Clean out Carbon Dioxide
Get Oxygen
Inhale Exhaleand
Example PolaritiesCompeting & Collaborating
Individual &Team
Inquiry & Advocacy
Control & Freedom
Consistency & Flexibility
Quality & Cost
Internal focus & External responsiveness
Reflection & Action
Home Life &Work Life
Problems versus Polarity Problems are obstacles, difficulties or challenges with
one right answer; or two or more right answers that are independent.
Mystery Problems – trying to identify the unknown cause of an undesirable outcome.
Different Alternatives – identifying the optimal choice or choices among mutually exclusive (independent) options connected by the word “Or”.
Interdependent Pairs (Polarities) are connected by the word “And”.
Polarity MapA tool used to organize and manage the thinking associated with the two pairs of a polarity.
Higher Purpose
Deeper Fear
Right PoleLeft Pole
Positive Aspects of Left Pole
Negative Aspects of Left Pole
Negative Aspects of Right Pole
Positive Aspects of Right Pole
AND
Action StepsHow will we gain or maintain the positive
results from focusing on the left pole? What? Who? By
When? Measures?
Action StepsHow will we gain or maintain the positive
results from focusing on this right pole? What?
Who? By When? Measures?
Early Warning
SignsMeasurable indicators
(things you can count) that will let you know that you
are getting into the downside of the left pole.
Early Warning
SignsMeasurable indicators
(things you can count) that will let you know that you
are getting into the downside of the right pole.
How We Typically View a Polarity
Positive Aspects of Left Pole
Negative Aspects of Right Pole
Left Pole Point of View
Left RightOR
Positive Aspects of Right Pole
Right Pole Point of View
Left RightOR
Negative Aspects of Left Pole
AND
Benefits of Polarity Mapping
• Provides a simple method for viewing a Polarity from a systemic perspective.
• Helps reduce resistance to change • Assists leaders in converting chronic issues into sustainable strengths.• Facilitates crucial conversations
(Dialogue) for collaboration and “Win/ Win” outcomes.
• Tool for assuring balance among essential elements of a dynamic system.
• Effective technique for understanding & managing conflict
Polarities Common to our Profession
versus
versus
versus
versus
Time
Offshoring
Cost Efficient
Work
Budget
Onshoring
Sustainability
Home
Share Your PolaritiesWhat are some of the polarities you experience in your position?
Group Exercise: Offshore Supplier/ Onshore Supplier
Developing a Polarity Map Part 1
1. Identify as many positives for Offshoring as we can. 2. Identify as many positives of Onshoring as we can. 3. Identify as many negatives of Offshoring as we can.4. Identify as many negatives of Onshoring as we can.
Group Exercise: Offshore Supplier/ Onshore Supplier
Developing a Polarity Map Part 2
1. Identify action steps for the two upper quadrants.2. Identify early warning signs for the lower
quadrants.
Using Polarity Maps to Get Unstuck
Lose continuityLose core valuesFoolish risk
ContinuityCore ValuesTap past and present wisdom
StagnationLoss of energyMissed opportunities
New energy and directionCreativityTap new wisdom
Competitive Advantage
Can’t Compete
1
4ChangeStability
3
2
Top 6 Practices of a Strategic Thinking Leaders
1. Understand there is always more to the story than initially apparent.2. Consider both the long- and short-term consequences.3. Recognize that the more you know, the more you don’t know.
(Requires humility.) 4. Know that the “obvious” is typically only a symptom of the real
problem.5. Embrace opposing perspectives, recognizing there is value in views
which are opposite of your own. 6. Look for the unintended consequences in every action.
Additional Resources
• Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems Johnson, Barry, HRD Press, 1996
• http://supplychain.bob.tv/ • “Unsolvable Problems: Reveal Creative Business Strategies
With Polarity Management” Atwater, J. Brian & Pittman, Paul P., APICS Magazine, pp. 38-41, September/October 2013
• http://thelampgroup.com/• http://www.polaritypartnerships.com/