“The problem is that we tend to assume that if there is an evil result, then there must be an inherently evil source, which we must find. I’m suggesting that there is no inherently evil source.” —Barry Johnson
As our society grapples with deep divisions and increasingly complex problems, we often find ourselves stuck in an “either/or” mindset — choosing sides, assigning blame, and projecting “evil” onto each other in order to make sense of systemic dysfunctions like poverty, racism, and climate change.
But what if the true cause of these issues isn’t some evil or malevolent force whispering to us from the shadows, but rather the kinds of partial thinking that are going into these decisions? What if, by shifting from an “either/or” mindset to a “both/and” mindset, we can better understand the complexity of these issues and work toward more inclusive, balanced, and sustainable solutions?
In this thought-provoking presentation, we dive deep into the revolutionary framework of polarity thinking with Barry Johnson, the creator of Polarity Management. Barry challenges conventional problem-solving approaches by introducing a powerful alternative: managing polarities — interdependent forces that both have upsides and downsides. Drawing on real-world examples like poverty, racism, sexism, and environmental crises, Barry explains how our failure to balance polarities is at the root of many systemic issues.
Rather than viewing complex societal problems as having an “evil source” that needs to be eradicated, Barry reframes these challenges as symptoms of mismanaged polarities, such as justice vs. mercy, freedom vs. equality, and power vs. shared leadership. Throughout the episode, Barry reveals how adopting a “both/and” mindset, instead of the traditional “either/or” approach, can break vicious cycles of inequality and conflict, leading to sustainable solutions in both personal and collective contexts.
That doesn’t mean we discard “either/or” thinking entirely — after all, insisting that “both/and” is always better than “either/or” would itself be a form of binary “either/or” thinking. The real skill in polarity management lies in discerning when to apply each approach. Some situations call for clear, decisive choices, while others require a more nuanced balance of opposites. Understanding this distinction is key to navigating complex issues with greater wisdom and effectiveness.
Tune in to learn how balancing polarities can help us navigate today’s most pressing issues and why this paradigm shift is crucial for social justice, equity, and systemic transformation.
