Clients often share a situation or challenge with me and as their consultant they ask me to advise them on a course of action. Often during the conversation, the Client will identify two distinctly different courses of action – that may at first seem to be in opposition. The question is basically formatted as an either or question Should I do A or B?
Often, my answer is yes. After getting a confused look, I explain that the answer lies not in one or the other of the alternatives, but in exploring and doing both. This is what I call both and thinking. Collins and Porras in their book Built to Last call it avoiding the Tyranny of the OR, and embracing the Genius of AND.
Either or thinking is pervasive in our world. Let’s take the example of the common phrase, black or white. When we think of black or white, we often try to balance by looking for the shades of gray – thinking that in balance or compromise we will find the right solution. This is seldom the most valuable approach. My suggestion is to consider black and white.
That either or solution inevitably leads to suboptimal solutions, and under satisfying compromises. Balance...
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