Polarities and polarity management
Polarities are situations that have benefits and drawbacks on either side (Miller). Another way of describing them is that they are competing values that need each other over time in order to achieve a greater purpose (Irvin). Polarity management is the approach to conflict resolution helps identify and manage polarities (Miller). The ability to manage polarities:
1. Saves time and resources
2. Builds trust and reduces resistance to change
3. Accelerates achievement of the greater purpose
4 Sustains that achievement (Irvin)
There are some polarities that great leaders manage well; they are Fighting for your own unit and going all out for company objectives and tight scheduling of your time and being accessible for spontaneous moments (Scherer).
Polarity Management is an approach to conflict resolutions that identifies and manages unsolved problems (Miller). There are six steps to the polarity management process:
1. Define the issue.
2. Include key stakeholders.
3. Build the polarity map.
4. Understand how polarities work.
5. Assess realities with this polarity.
6. Determine action steps and early warnings (Miller).
The Polarity Map
Individualism
Individualism
&
&
+
+
Individual Initiative
Individual Creativity
Personal Needs Met
Individual Initiative
Individual Creativity
Personal Needs Met
| Team Work
Team Work
+
+
Common Direction
Each Job Important
Personal Sacrifice
Common Direction
Each Job Important
Personal Sacrifice
|
-
-
No Common Direction
No Team Support
Isolated
No Common Direction
No Team Support
Isolated
| -
-
Meetings: Too Many Too Long
No One Stands Out
Neglect of Personal Needs
Meetings: Too Many Too Long
No One Stands Out
Neglect of Personal Needs
|
Teamwork is a very large part of businesses today. We set up teams to achieve an objective (Managing). In each team you will have individual that will all have different...