Unleashing the Positive Power of Differences

Book excerpt: All too often, key education initiatives collapse because leaders fail to anticipate and learn from the concerns of those charged with implementation. This illuminating book shows how education leaders can bring opposing groups to common ground, resulting in a solid plan built on diverse wisdom. Acclaimed education coach Jane Kise demonstrates how polarity thinking-a powerful tool for bridging differences developed by Barry Johnson of Polarity Partnerships-provides an alternative to endless debates and either/or thinking. Rather than seeing conflicting forces, the tools help us view them as equally important-even interdependent-concepts, approaches, or models. Readers will find: Ways to recognize polarities, map the positive and negative aspects, and channel energy wasted on disagreement toward a greater common purpose Tools for introducing and working with polarities Polarity mapping to help leaders improve processes for leading change and creating buy-in Ways to use polarity with students as a framework for higher-level thinking