Integrative thinking for success
Richard Evans (of the Financial Times) wites in a book review article that reconciling contradictions “is fundamental to success, whether in business or in life.
“As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote: ‘The ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function is the sign of a first-rate intelligence.’
“His comment is cited by Roger Martin, author of The Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking.
Evans adds, “Unfortunately, most business people follow a this-or-that, either-or approach that oversimplifies the complexities of the real world.
“What they require instead, Martin argues, is to learn new “integrative” thought processes that would allow them to embrace contradictions and attain more nuanced decisions and business strategies.”
Continued in article Openness to conflicting ideas urged.
