Table of Contents
Foreword ix
The Power of Both/And Thinking in a Vexing World Amy C. Edmondson
Introduction 1
Why Some Problems Are So Challenging
Part 1 Foundations: The Promise and Perils of Paradox
1 Experiencing Tensions 19
Why Paradox? Why Now?
2 Getting Caught in Vicious Cycles 43
Rabbit Holes, Wrecking Balls, and Trench Warfare
Part 2 Approaches: The Paradox System
3 Enabling Virtuous Cycles with the Paradox System 73
Mules and Tightrope Walkers
4 Shifting to Both/And Assumptions 89
Toward a Paradox Mindset
5 Creating Boundaries to Contain Tensions 125
Structures to Stabilize Uncertainty
6 Finding Comfort in the Discomfort 153
Emotions That Accommodate Tensions
7 Enabling Dynamics That Unleash Tensions 173
Changes That Avoid the Ruts
Part 3 Applications: Both/And Thinking in Practice
8 Individual Decisions 199
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
9 Interpersonal Relationships 213
Mending a Widening Divide
10 Organizational Leadership 233
Enabling Sustainable Impact
Appendix 259
Paradox Mindset Inventory
Notes 265
Bibliography 277
Index 289
Acknowledgments 303
About the Authors 309