the polarity assessment* for organizationsbraidedrivergroup.com/.../the-polarity-assessment.pdf ·...
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The Polarity Assessment* yfor Organizations
Neesa Sweet847 266 2677847 266‐[email protected]
*Polarity Assessment TM by Barry Johnson and Polarity Partnerships
What are Polarities?What are Polarities?
Polarities are two equally attractive possibilities that exist in tension with each other such as a “part” (for example a business unit) and a “whole” (for example, the entire organization).
Overemphasis on one pole to the neglect of the other leads to its “downside” and eventually the “upside”, then the “downside” of the other pole.
f d ll h l lIf not managed well, the polarity cycle is experienced as wild oscillations, leading to wasted time and resources.
Poorly managed polarities lead organizations and y g p gindividuals to create the future they fear. Well managed polarities help them create the future they desire.
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The Polarity MapGreater Purpose
Why Balance the Polarity?How will we gain or maintain the positive results from focusing on this left pole?
How will we gain or maintain the positive results from focusing on this pole? What? Who? By when?
How will we gain or maintain the positive results from focusing on this pole? What?
Upside of right pole
Upside of left pole
What? Who? By when? Measures?
Who? By when? Measures?
Who? By when? Measures?
Downside f l f l
Downside f i ht l
Measurable indicators that will let you know that you are getting into the downside of thi l
Right pole Left pole
Measurable indicators that will let you know that you are getting into the downside of hi lof left poleof right pole
Deeper Fear from lack of balance
this pole. this pole.
Travel through the upsides and downsides of each pole is represented by the infinity loop.
In a well managed polarity, attention is paid to both poles and maximum time is spent in the upsides of the poles. Balanced, more profitable circumstances, are experienced than in the ildl i i ill i h i h l i l h h d h diwildly swinging oscillations that come with neglecting one pole or the other and thus spending
more time in the downsides of the poles.
Action steps and early warning signs are used to help manage polarities.3
The Polarity Assessment Overall Processy
1) Link Polarity Map work to organization’s strategy2) Design Polarity Assessment so that it fits organization’s unique
challenges and opportunities3) Conduct assessment to learn how organization is currently managing its
key polarities4) Understand assessment results)5) Take action and sustain success
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How the Assessment Works
1) Organization creates content for the assessment2) Computer converts quadrant content into survey3) Employees and/or stakeholders answer survey questions) p y / y q4) Computer converts survey answers back into polarity maps and
assessment results
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Example of Map ContentExample of Map Content
UpsideUpside
DownsideDownside
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Computer Converts Quadrant Content into SurveyComputer Converts Quadrant Content into Survey
7Graphic by Margaret Seidler Associates, used by permission
Employees and Stakeholders Answer Survey QuestionsEmployees and Stakeholders Answer Survey Questions
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Computer Collects Open Ended Feedbackp p
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Computer Converts Survey Answers p yBack to Original Polarity Maps
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Example of ResultsM i f Sh d O hi E t l W llManaging for Shared Ownership Extremely Well
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Example of ResultsM i f Sh d O hi S h P lManaging for Shared Ownership Somewhat Poorly
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Computer Provides Comparative Management f iInformation
Breakdown by questions Unlimited demographic comparisons between groups
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Clients revisit action steps and early warnings b d ltbased on results
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