The Power of Both/And Thinking to Find Creative, Integrative Solutions to Paradoxes With Dr. Marianne Lewis
Feb 20, 2023
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Dr. Marianne Lewis discusses Both/And Thinking to solve paradoxes, emphasizing innovation and creativity in relationships, organizations, and careers. Examples include balancing work and parenting, integrating innovation with tradition in a toy company crisis, and navigating growth stages with adaptability. Learn how empowering constraints and embracing conflict lead to creative solutions.
Embracing Both/And thinking helps navigate paradoxes for creativity and growth.
Recognizing S curve stages aids in decision-making and innovation for personal/professional growth.
Constraints spur creativity by limiting options, fostering novel approaches and innovations.
Deep dives
Embracing Both And Thinking Over Either Or
Embracing both and thinking allows us to explore paradoxes like balancing self-care with taking care of others. Dr. Mary Ann Lewis emphasizes the three elements of a paradox: contradiction, interdependence, and persistence. By reframing our approach, separating and connecting elements, and rethinking outcomes, we can navigate paradoxes to spur creativity and growth.
Exploring The S Curve of Achievement
The S curve of achievement indicates that when in a peak, it's ideal to pivot towards something new. Lego's profitability emerged by limiting specialty bricks to 10%. Personal and professional growth align with recognizing S curve stages for effective decision-making and innovation.
Fostering Creativity Through Constraints
Constraints can spark creativity by limiting options, as seen in Lego's success with balancing standard and specialty bricks. Constraints in personal pursuits encourage novel approaches and innovations, like using specific ingredients in a recipe or starting a journal with a poem's initial line.
Entering Paradoxes: Three Key Steps
Entering paradoxes involves reframing conflicts, separating and connecting contrasting elements, and rethinking outcomes for creative integration or balanced consistency. Shifting from an either-or mindset to a both-and approach fosters growth, learning, and adaptability in various aspects of life.
Practicing Psychological Flexibility Through Paradoxes
By practicing psychological flexibility, individuals can view tensions as opportunities for growth and learning. Approaching paradoxes with an open mindset, reframing dilemmas, and embracing complexities leads to enhanced creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills.
Paradoxes are everywhere and natural and part of living a nuanced life. Often we limit ourselves by trying to fix paradoxes with Either/Or thinking. With Both/And Thinking we can move beyond duality into innovative, creative, and integrative solutions by reframing our questions and rethinking outcomes. In this episode, Dr. Diana Hill and Dr. Marianne Lewis explore paradoxes in our relationships, organizations, health behaviors, and careers. Learn how your conflicts and tensions hold opportunities for growth and flexibility. It's how we approach them that matters.