Welcome to Reach Minds: Thoughts for Your Life Journey. Today, we will be exploring the concept of polarities – the dynamic tensions that show up across all areas of life, whether at work, at home, or in leadership. Rather than problems to be solved, polarities are ongoing tensions to be managed. Learning to recognise and balance these dualities is crucial for navigating the complexities of modern life. By understanding polarities, we shift away from binary decision-making toward discovering a ‘third way’ – a more integrated, nuanced approach that allows us to hold seemingly opposing ideas in creative tension. This mindset can help us handle the inevitable dilemmas and competing demands we face with greater skill and resilience.
About Nicola Maxwell
I am joined by Nicola Maxwell, Managing Director of EDO Midas Limited. Nicola and her team collaborate with organisations to design and deliver bespoke, research- development solutions that equip managers and leaders to hold the kind of purposeful, inspiring conversations that drive high performance across individuals, teams and entire organisations. With over 22 years of experience, Nicola brings wealth of insight as a leadership consultant, coach and trainer. She’s deeply committed to helping leaders develop the mindset shifts necessary to lead effectively in today’s complex and uncertain world.
In this podcast we pose the following questions on navigating polarities:
What are polarities?
Why do we need to pay attention to them?
How do they work?
How can we tell that we’re dealing with a polarity rather than a problem?
How does ‘both/and’ thinking (polarities) differ from ‘either/or’ thinking?
To navigate polarities, are we really just talking about making compromises?
Is the ability to recognize and manage polarities primarily a learned skill or an innate human development?
Are polarities just about the individual or can they be applied in different contexts?
How can we learn to navigate polarities in more conscious ways? What tips and insights?
Where have you seen the benefits of successful polarity management?
What motto do you live by?
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Book: Navigating Polarities – Brian Emerson & Kelly Lewis
Book: Polarity Management – Barry Johnson
YouTube video: What is a polarity? Andiron https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuPbO4MWxNc
YouTube video: Polarity Management 101: The Solution to Unsolvable Problems
YouTube video: Polarity Management with Barry Johnson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfRcwweWxtQ
YouTube video: Polarity matters - Are you thinking in pairs? Beena Sharma & Corey DeVos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1NsCUMZNls
