In our highly divided world, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of either/or, right/wrong thinking.  And yet all that seems to accomplish is having people retrench to their own positions.

Barry Johnson’s Polarity thinking, introduced to the OD community in the 80s and 90s is at once an insight, a methodology, and a tool and provides a way of exploring the energy in poles to further communication, uncover hidden meanings, diffuse “stuck” situations, and provide new strategic perspectives.

Whether you’re an “old hand” at using Polarities or about to discover them for the first time our November program will combine a few novel twists so that everyone will experience something new.

First, we’ll be examining Polarities through the lens of another old favorite — the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI.  The MBTI pairs are, in fact, polarities and exploring them in that context will unleash valuable new perspectives.

Second, we will conduct our exploration through the use of  Jamboard, an online Google workspace that takes the place of slides and opens every idea to collaboration and participation.  If you’ve used Jamboard, you know how much energy it can add to the virtual experience—if you haven’t, you’re about to find out.

Neesa Sweet studied for many years with Barry Johnson and brings a Polarity perspective to consulting, coaching, facilitation and learning experiences.  She also believes in the power of assessments such as MBTI to help people understand themselves and others.  She is formerly the Director of Learning and Development for the Chicago Sun-Times and a former president of ODN/C.  She consults to a wide variety of companies and institutions as she helps them live their mission by facilitating change, capability, communication, design and alignment.

Her company is the Braided River Group of Highland Park, Illinois. The name itself is a geological metaphor for organizational change.  Like the braided rivers which run below glaciers, creating, changing pathways on a consistent course; effective companies balance flexibility with direction and vision.

Jerry Sullivan produces and moderates virtual events for Fortune 500 companies on subjects as diverse as communications skills and emotional intelligence. He won an Emmy Award for coverage of the Seoul Olympic games.