105 Navigating Paradoxical Tensions: Interview with Kelly Lewis

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When thinking about your personal preferences and habits at work, do you tend to favor structure, or flexibility? Centralization or decentralization? When leading others, do you strive to challenge your team, or support them? </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While these examples may seem to be contradictions, they are some of the most common instances of polarities in organizations. Kelly Lewis, an executive coach, leadership consultant, and author of the book</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Navigating Polarities: Using Both/And Thinking to Lead Transformation</span></em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">, has been using polarities as a lens in her coaching and client work for several decades. In Episode 105 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, Kelly discusses the following:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">The definition of polarities, or situations where there are two interdependent states that need each other in order to be successful</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">How supplementing “either/or” thinking with a “both/and” mindset can improve communication, relationships, and ultimately, results</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Various sensemaking tools to help individuals and teams navigate polarities while minimizing conflict </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">The role of both the heart and the mind—including qualities such as compassion and curiosity—in softening the extreme edges of polarities and beginning to see each pole as part of an interdependent pair </span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to her work as an executive coach, Kelly is the co-founder of Andiron, a leadership development consultancy committed to providing the space and tools for transformation. To learn more, visit</span> <a href= "h