Paradox is everywhere
in organizations today. Dealing with paradox and ambiguity are
two of the most absent skills in executives' repertoires today.
Symptoms of this skill gap include: patterns of sub-optimal performance,
low morale, poor executive credibility, we/they blame thinking
and individual focus, as opposed to teamwork. These are all indicators
of paradox issues beneath the surface.
 Paradox
often shows up when there are unstated organizational issues,
or there is the equivalent of an elephant on the table. Everyone
is aware of the beast, but no one speaks to it. This leads to
workers questioning executive decisions at the water cooler, because
they are having to wrestle with the elephant, feed it, and maybe
clean up after it. Unrecognized paradox results in the decreasing
credibility of executives and a lack of wholeness for the organization.
In embracing paradox, all the organizational cards are placed
on the table. It exposes the entire landscape in a non-judgmental
way. We exaggerate organizational dialogue in ways that promote
awareness and rapid understanding.
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Paradoxes
Black and white
Strategic and tactical
Analytical and intuitive
Individual and team
Micro and macro
Clicks and mortar
Rigorous and innovative
Classic and edgy
Fast-paced and sustaining
Profits and people
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