/---
created: 2023-04-20T17:17:49+02:00
updated: 2023-04-23T12:54:45+02:00
---
#mentalmodels/polaritythinking #systems/thinking
So far this is more or less a transcript of a short video series on the topic.
```cardlink
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4qMUhUNAbE
title: "Polarity Thinking – Part 1 & Part 2: A Conversation with Barry Johnson"
description: "This is the 38th video produced in the ‘Just in Case…’ mini-series sponsored by Quality and Equality. In this video we are joined by Barry Johnson, the profo..."
host: www.youtube.com
favicon: https://www.youtube.com/s/desktop/2fc4f2e2/img/favicon_32x32.png
image: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/M4qMUhUNAbE/maxresdefault.jpg
```
[Polarity Thinking – Part 1 & Part 2: A Conversation with Barry Johnson - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4qMUhUNAbE)
```cardlink
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_IFw7HI5P8
title: "Polarity Thinking – Part 3 & Part 4: A Conversation with Barry Johnson"
description: "This is the 39th video produced in the ‘Just in Case…’ mini-series sponsored by Quality and Equality. In this video we are joined by Barry Johnson, the profo..."
host: www.youtube.com
favicon: https://www.youtube.com/s/desktop/2fc4f2e2/img/favicon_32x32.png
image: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/T_IFw7HI5P8/maxresdefault.jpg
```
[Polarity Thinking – Part 3 & Part 4: A Conversation with Barry Johnson - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_IFw7HI5P8)
## Part One
### Why learn about polarities?
* To become more effective.
* To address big, complex issues without being overwhelmed.
* To increase the attainability, speed, and sustainability of change.
* To address chronic conflict and polarization.
* To increase your capacity to love.
### What are polarities?
"Polarities are interdependent pairs that need each other over time. They live in us and we live in them. They exist in every level of system from the inside of our brains to global issues. They are energy systems that we can leverage. They are unavoidable, unsolvable (in that you can't choose one pole as a sustainable solution), indestructible, and unstoppable. They are a gift of nature, a natural phenomenon like gravity and sunshine."
![[polarity-thinking - inhale or exhale.svg]]
![[polarity-thinking - inhale and exhale.svg]]
[Open file:](polarity-thinking%20effective%20leadership.png)
[Open file:](polarity-thinking%20daily%20polarity%20in%20life.png)
### How do you leverage them?
The 5-Step SMALL Process
**S**eeing
**M**apping
**A**ssessing
**L**earning
**L**everaging
[Open file:](polarity-thinking%20how%20to%20leverage%20them.png)
### Part One — Questions for participants:
1. Why learn about polarities?
2. What are polarities?
3. What are the parts of a polarity map?
4. What is the normal flow of the infinity loop within the quadrants?
5. What happens first and second if you over-focus on one pole?
6. To move toward the "Greater Purpose" what needs to be done with both upsides?
How do you do that?
What needs to be done with both downsides?
How do you do that?
7. What are the 5 steps of the SMALL process?
## Part Two
o Paradoxical Change – How to use resistance to change as a resource for Stability And Change
o What is the Getting Unstuck Process?
### Paradoxical Change
#### Key Points
1. If a change you are trying to make is essentially a move from the downside of one pole of a polarity as the "problem" to the upside of its interdependent pole as the "solution," you will generate unnecessary resistance, and the results of the struggle will be unsustainable.
2. To make sustainable progress, key stakeholders will need to see the underlying polarity and commit to action steps supporting both upsides.
3. Start with Action Steps for the pole you are moving from. Then the Action Steps for the pole your change effort is moving to.
[Open file:](37fdf47d1ea0e8120f8df8d4a23a2cb6_MD5.png)
[Open file:](1c35675b92483ba2e67e3ab8e76e2a5a_MD5.png)
[Open file:](971011f65b6455840f538927f4cea184_MD5.png)
### The Unstuck Process
[Open file:](d9abcf952f5e772772735d63e49741f3_MD5.png)
[Open file:](f4570441a2062c6b43353ed9884d7211_MD5.png)
#### Reality 72 There is a 5-step process for getting unstuck.
1. Understand and respect the values of those "holding on."
2. Understand and respect the fears of those "holding on."
3. Ask, "How can we gain what we are "going after"...
4. ... without letting go of the values of those "holding on"...
5. ... in order to move toward a Greater Purpose that works for both groups?
#### Questions for participants
1. Where was the resistance coming from with the company wanting to move toward Integrated Business Units?
2. Why wasn't alignment, leadership support, followership support and plenty of money enough to bring about the desired change?
3. What is "Gap Analysis" and what are its limits when dealing with polarities?
4. What are the steps in the "Getting Unstuck" process?