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Dilemma Mapping
“The test of a first-rate intelligence is to hold two opposed ideas in your mind at the same time and still retain your capacity to function. You must, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and still be determined to make them otherwise.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
Most of our intricate strategic work stumbles upon opposing ideas or values. One of my favourite strategic thinking tools is Dilemma Mapping, as part of Dilemma Theory, based on the work of researchers Charles Hampden-Turner and Fons Trompenaars. Have a quick look here before you read the rest - it will all make more sense.
Metaphors are a great creative avenue to explore and access ideas. The dilemma space has a metaphorical overlay you can use, even beyond the Rocks and Whirlpools.
- Is it weighted too heavily towards the rock value and therefore top‐heavy? → Dinosaur Trap
- Is it weighted too heavily towards the whirlpool value and therefore lop‐sided? → Unicorn Trap
- Are you still going to end up heavily in the conflict zone? → Push-me‐pull-you Trap
- Have you avoided really confronting the issue and come with a wishy-washy compromise? → Ostrich Trap
- If you feel you have the basis for a transformative resolution you are flying free → Flight of the Eagle
Dilemmas should be reconciled (win-win) rather than compromised (lose-lose) to achieve synergy (Greek for syn-ergo, “to work together”)
Find out more from Dilemma Thinking and this set of great resources. And here is a quick introduction to Dilemma Theory.
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