How do I proceed? There are four steps in the process that leads to balancing a paradox.
Step 1. Describe the issue
If you have experienced an issue that has been difficult to resolve,
bring the various parties together. Encourage people to tell their
“stories” about the struggle that is taking place. If two people “see” the
same issue differently, wonderful! Ask the group to pay particular
attention to both sides and the efforts that have been made and have
failed to resolve the issue.
Step 2. Determine whether the issue is a problem to be solved or
a paradox to be balanced
How you address a paradox is different from how you solve a
problem. Therefore, you have to differentiate the two. You are
addressing a paradox if
• The issue is recurring
• Efforts at solution result in more problems
• Both sides of the issue are critical for long-term success
• People fail to recognize the importance of the other side
When all four conditions prevail, you have a paradox to balance. Do
not try to use standard problem-solving methods to resolve it!