The Transit Leader’s Paradox — How to Stretch When Pulled by Opposing Demands

4. Map the paradox. To help “map the paradox,” as an example, draw two small boxes on opposite sides, in the middle of a blank piece of paper. In the left, write “City’s Needs” and in the right, write the budget. Brainstorm the answers to four simple questions: What are the benefits of meeting the needs of the city? What are the benefits of staying within the budget? What might be the unintended consequences of over-focusing on the city’s needs? Or of over-focusing on the budget?

Answers to question one go in the upper-left quadrant; answers to question two in the upper-right; answers to question three in the lower-left; and answers to question four in the lower-right. This created a variation of what Dr. Barry Johnson called a polarity map. If there’s an upside and a downside to both sides, should you meet the needs of the city or your regional budget?

In one example, that rhetorical question was used to lead a discussion with city officials about the tradeoffs of focusing on one side at the expense of the other — an idea led to a breakthrough with the city.

Adapt these ideas to help you stretch whenever you feel pulled by paradox at work. MT

Dave Jensen is a transit consultant and executive coach who transforms leadership tools into client success stories.http://davejensenonleadership.com