In every venture, no matter the size or industry, the most important element and main pillar of success is the way objectives are achieved. How do leaders run businesses? How do they benefit from differences and reconcile opposites? And do they have the ability to manage contradictions?
It’s natural to experience multiple viewpoints in the workplace since each individual comes with their own mindsets and values. However, a strong leader will not only know how to balance these various viewpoints but also use them to the advantage of the organization. By embracing polarity in the workplace, a leader will be able to creatively challenge the team to think beyond their current frame of mind, and when used strategically, these creative challenges can enhance innovation, empathy, and drive greater team engagement.
Differences and conflicts in organizations can be attributed to many sources. For example, some employees may be from an older generation who are risk-averse, which can come into conflict with the younger generation who are more likely to embrace change. Here comes the role of the leader in managing these kinds of challenges and achieving a balance between these opposites without losing either, which is what is meant by polarity.
So what is meant by polarity?
In the literal sense of the word, polarity means: the condition of having poles, such as magnetic poles (north and south), and electric poles (negative and positive).
As for polarity in business, it’s the ability to reconcile opposites, opposites which cannot be combined yet cannot exist without each other. In short, it’s the ability to achieve balance.
According to Larry Clarck, Managing Director of Global Learning Services at Harvard Business Publishing, “polarity, or paradox, is a situation in which opposing forces within a system pull at each other to keep things balanced. But, like inhaling and exhaling, each “pole” can’t exist without the other. Polarities are everywhere, because we live in a complex world. In business, centralization versus decentralization, or growth versus profit maximization, are common examples of polarities. In life, think of work/life balance, or liberal versus conservative. There’s a natural tension that exists between the two that will always be there – it’s an attribute of the system.”
But the question is this: How do leaders employ differences and contradictions to work for the business and serve the goals of the organization?
Beginning in the 1990s, organizational studies showed an interest in paradox as a theory. Based on this theory, paradoxes in organizations are divided into three types:
1) The paradox of learning, is represented by the contradiction between holding on to old knowledge versus building new knowledge.
2) The paradox of the self vs. others.
3) The paradox of creativity vs. efficiency.
Based on this awareness, there became an urgent need for effective and successful management to learn how to manage paradoxes in order to increase productivity, employee motivation, and the creation of a cohesive work environment. Managing differences in its many forms is a critical shift that leaders need to make to overcome resistance, and is an important component of any leadership management strategy.
How does leading through polarity help us overcome conflict and achieve results?
1) Gain a competitive edge. Leaders have to understand that people who are polar opposites have a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and skills that set them apart from each other. With the help of divergent thinking, teams with diverse backgrounds will be able to create innovative products, services, and experiences that will be able to reach a wide range of people.
2) Better team engagement. Fostering an inclusive and supportive environment is essential for the productivity of any team member. By initiating dialogue and learning more about and from each other, a leader will be able to encourage communication and engagement within the organization.
3) Deliver impactful results. Creating an innovative and motivated team is certain to drive results, whether through positive financial earnings or higher morale levels in a leader’s team. Differences in a team can be the springboard to a powerful organization.
Polarity can be seen everywhere in nature, and the existence of polar opposites is what actually maintains balance and harmony. This is the same for any business or organization. Differences and conflicts will always be present but a successful leader will be able to use contradictions as a source of creativity to benefit both the team and the organization.
