HBR IdeaCast Decisions Don’t Have to Be Either-Or
33 snips
Aug 9, 2022 Wendy Smith, a management professor at the University of Delaware, and Marianne Lewis, the dean of the University of Cincinnati Lindner College of Business, explore innovative decision-making strategies. They argue against binary thinking, advocating for 'both-and' approaches that embrace ambiguity. The discussion highlights how this mindset fosters creativity, especially in navigating leadership paradoxes and managing uncertainty. Through practical advice and real-life stories, they reveal how embracing complexity can lead to personal and organizational growth.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Either-or Thinking Limits Solutions
- People are wired to think in either-or terms to reduce anxiety in decision-making.
- This can hinder creativity and broader solutions offered by both-and thinking.
Both-And Thinking Fosters Synergy
- Both-and thinking explores competing ideas before making decisions.
- It seeks synergy and integration between opposing sides for a holistic solution.
Pandemic Intensifies Tensions
- The pandemic intensified tensions due to increased change, plurality, and scarcity.
- These tensions can be both stimulating and paralyzing for decision-making.
