Michael Lissack
• Develop strategies to capture benefits from both poles • Create early warning indicators for when the system overemphasizes either pole
Implementation Example : When Microsoft's leadership struggled with a perceived dichotomy between on-premises software and cloud services, Satya Nadella implemented Polarity Mapping workshops. These sessions transformed the "either/or" thinking into a "both/and" hybrid approach that protected existing business while building the foundation for future growth.
Cross-Cutting Implementation Strategies
Beyond these pattern-specific interventions, several broader strategies address obstructionist mental models:
1. Model Diversity Development : Create structural approaches to expand the range of mental models available: • Establish cross-industry learning programs that expose leaders to different business models • Implement reverse mentoring that connects leaders with employees from different generations • Create "model exchange" programs with partner organi- zations in different sectors • Develop case study libraries showcasing diverse ap- proaches to similar challenges 2. Low-Risk Experimentation Frameworks : Build structured approaches for testing alternatives to dominant mental models: • Create protected "skunkworks" with distinct mental model parameters • Implement small-scale pilots explicitly designed to test alternative assumptions
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