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/