Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems [Paperback]

Barry Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1996

University level text. Some complex problems simply do not have "solutions." The key to being an effective leader is being able to recognize and manage such problems. Polarity Management presents a unique model and set of principles that will challenge you to look at situations in new ways. Also included are exercises to strengthen your skills, and case studies to help you begin applying the model to your own unsolvable problems.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

For the past 35 years, Barry Johnson has been working to help create organizations that are good places to work, to own, to do business with and to have in the community. In the process he has founded 5 organizations. Barry is regarded as both an effective consultant and leading thinker in the management field. The Polarity Management Map® and initial set of principles emerged out of his work in 1975. Since then he has continued to develop the map, principles with a variety of organizations all over the world. Barry's title Polarity Management is his work with polarities (dilemmas, paradox) and presents a unique model and set of principles based on that will challenge you to look at situations in new ways. Polarity Management is a top selling and widely referenced University level text that is applicable for both higher education and corporate learning.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: HRD Press (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874251761
• ISBN-13: 978-0874251760
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #286,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best-kept management secret for managing complex issues, December 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems (Paperback)

Johnson presents a clear path to understanding and managing the dilemmas of our modern and post-modern society. He provides a method of mapping a polarity (or paradox or dilemma) that bridges into systems thinking. Once you get what he is saying, you will never see the world the same. Do not be fooled by the simplicity of this - Johnson shares great truths needed today. I cannot imagine how this book has remained the best-kept secret in management and systems thinking.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most enlightening, March 13, 2000

By 

Peggy A. Chirico - See all my reviews

This review is from: Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems (Paperback)

Polarity Management is one of my favorite "business" books of all time. Johnson's theory, which explains the dynamics of polarized issues, is so simple yet so comprehensive. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand why major issues can be so divisive and how we can move forward when we seem to be at a standstill.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful, practical insights into organizational dynamics., March 21, 2006

By 

Robyn Johnson (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems (Paperback)

This book really shows how we become stuck in dilemmas and static thinking, and how we can instead move at one with change. I am finding it tremendously helpful in analyzing entrenched organizational dysfunction that persists in spite of the efforts of well-meaning managers.