This document outlines a polarity mapping exercise for assessing how well a system leverages the interdependent relationship between continuity and transformation. It provides examples of positive and negative outcomes associated with each pole, and assesses fears related to over-focusing on one pole at the expense of the other. The mapping is intended to help systems see interdependent pairs and experience positive reinforcing loops rather than negative pendulum swings between the poles. Overall, the document presents a systems thinking tool to measure and address fears that can undermine the transformation a system seeks to promote.

1. 1
MEASURING
LOVE IN SYSTEMS
CLI FF KA YSER
STIA + Temenos
2013

2. 2
MEASURING
FEARS
CLI FF KA YSER
STIA + Temenos
2014

3. 3
SEATTLE CONFERENCE
APRIL 2014
MEASURING FEARS IN GAP ANALYSIS, X 2
STIA + Temenos

4. Despite our best intentions,
how do we undermine the very
transformation we seek to
promote?

5. 5
Continuity
Transformation
Which is the Better to Have?
OR

6. 6
Yes!…Both/And
Continuity Transformationand

7. 7
Seeing Both/And Interdependent Pairs
Continuity Transformation

8. 8
Seeing Both/And Interdependent Pairs
Continuity Transformation

9. 9
Seeing Both/And Interdependent Pairs
Continuity Transformation

10. 10
Seeing Both/And Interdependent Pairs
Continuity Transformation

11. 11
Seeing Both/And Interdependent Pairs
Continuity Transformation

12. 12
Seeing Both/And Interdependent Pairs
Continuity Transformation

13. 13

14. Turn a Systems Thinking tool
inward…
to see, map, and assess fears in a
common tension all systems-
thinkers encounter.

15. 15
Continuity Transformationand
Stability
Traditional
Conventional
Custom
Habit
Familiarity
Ritual
Constancy
Change
Contemporary
Progressive
Innovative
New/Fresh
Variety
Novelty
Revolutionary
SEEING…
Polarity NAMING RULE:
1) Both Neutral or Both Positive
2) Interdependent, like
Inhale AND Exhale

16. 16
Deeper Fear – From Lack of GPS
Greater Purpose Statement - Why Leverage this Polarity?
Continuity Transformationand
Polarity Map™
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
What are 2-3 positive
results from focusing on
Transformation for a
system?
MAPPING…

17. 17
Deeper Fear – From Lack of GPS
Greater Purpose Statement - Why Leverage this Polarity?
Continuity Transformationand
Polarity Map™
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
New energy and
direction
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom

18. 18
Deeper Fear – From Lack of GPS
MAPPING… Greater Purpose Statement - Why Leverage this Polarity?
Continuity Transformationand
Polarity Map™
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
What are 2-3 positive
results from focusing on
Continuity in a system?
New energy and
direction
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom

19. 19
Deeper Fear – From Lack of GPS
Greater Purpose Statement - Why Leverage this Polarity?
Continuity Transformationand
Polarity Map™
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
New energy and
direction
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Stability
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom

20. 20
Deeper Fear – From Lack of GPS
Greater Purpose Statement - Why Leverage this Polarity?
Continuity Transformationand
Polarity Map™
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
What are 2-3 negative
results from too much
Continuity without
Transformation
in a system?
New energy and
direction
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Stability
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom

21. 21
Deeper Fear – From Lack of GPS
Greater Purpose Statement - Why Leverage this Polarity?
Continuity Transformationand
Polarity Map™
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
New energy and
direction
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Stability
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom
1.
2.
3.
Negative effects
of status quo
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy

22. 22
Deeper Fear – From Lack of GPS
Greater Purpose Statement - Why Leverage this Polarity?
Continuity Transformationand
Polarity Map™
1.
2.
3.
What are 2-3 negative
results from too much
Transformation
without Continuity in
a system?
MAPPING…
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
New energy and
direction
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Stability
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom
1.
2.
3.
Negative effects
of status quo
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy

23. 23
Deeper Fear – From Lack of GPS
Greater Purpose Statement - Why Leverage this Polarity?
Continuity Transformationand
Polarity Map™
1.
2.
3.
MAPPING…
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
New energy and
direction
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Stability
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom
1.
2.
3.
Negative effects
of status quo
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy
1.
2.
3.
Lose continuity
Lose core
values
Foolish risk

24. 24
We All Thrive Sustainably
Deeper Fear – From Lack of GPS
Greater Purpose Statement - Why Leverage this Polarity?
Continuity Transformationand
Polarity Map™
The Polarity Map™ is based on the work of Dr. Barry Johnson of Polarity Partnerships, LLC
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Lose continuity
Negative effects
of status quo
Stability
New energy and
direction
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Lose core
values
Foolish risk
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom
We All Suffer Unsustainably

25. Learn how well or poorly
you leverage this tension.

26. 26The Polarity Map™ is based on the work of Dr. Barry Johnson of Polarity Partnerships, LLC

27. 27
Values = positive results of focus on the
left pole
Values = positive results of focus on the
right pole
Fears = negative results of over-focus on the
left pole to the neglect of the right pole
Fears = negative results of over-focus on the
right pole to the neglect of the left pole
*
**
and
Polarity Map™ © 1992, 2008 Polarity PartnershipsAssociates,LLC / * Thanks to John Scherer, The Scherer Leadership
Center / ** Thanks to De Wit & Meyer BV / *** Thanks to Todd Johnson, Rivertown Consultants
Assessing/Measuring




















Almost Always
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Almost Never
Almost Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Almost Always
Almost Always
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Almost Never
Almost Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Almost Always
TransformationContinuity

28. 28
We All Thrive Sustainably
Deeper Fear – From Lack of GPS
Greater Purpose Statement - Why Leverage this Polarity?
Continuity Transformationand
Polarity Map™
The Polarity Map™ is based on the work of Dr. Barry Johnson of Polarity Partnerships, LLC
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Lose continuity
Negative effects
of status quo
Stability
New energy and
direction
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Lose core
values
Foolish risk
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom
We All Suffer Unsustainably
Almost Always
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Almost Never
Almost Always
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Almost Never
Almost Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Almost Always
Almost Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Almost Always

29. 29
1.
2.
3.
Continuity Transformationand
1.
2.
3.
The Experience of
Positive Reinforcing Loops/Leveraging
Virtuous Cycles
Stability
New energy and
direction
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom
We All Thrive Sustainably
Almost Always
Almost Never
Almost Always
Almost Never

30. 30
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
The Experience of
Negative Pendulum Swings
Vicious Cycles
Continuity Transformationand
Lose continuity
Negative effects
of status quo
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy Lose core
values
Foolish risk
We All Suffer Unsustainably
Almost Never
Almost Always
Almost Never
Almost Always

31. 31
Values = positive results of focus on the
left pole
Values = positive results of focus on the
right pole
Fears = negative results of over-focus on the
left pole to the neglect of the right pole
Fears = negative results of over-focus on the
right pole to the neglect of the left pole
*
**
and
Polarity Map™ © 1992, 2008 Polarity PartnershipsAssociates,LLC / * Thanks to John Scherer, The Scherer Leadership
Center / ** Thanks to De Wit & Meyer BV / *** Thanks to Todd Johnson, Rivertown Consultants
EXAMPLE -- Assessing




















Almost Always
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Almost Never
Almost Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Almost Always
Almost Always
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Almost Never
Almost Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Almost Always
TransformationContinuity

32. 32
Values = positive results of focus on the
left pole
Values = positive results of focus on the
right pole
Fears = negative results of over-focus on the
left pole to the neglect of the right pole
Fears = negative results of over-focus on the
right pole to the neglect of the left pole
*
**
and
Polarity Map™ © 1992, 2008 Polarity PartnershipsAssociates,LLC / * Thanks to John Scherer, The Scherer Leadership
Center / ** Thanks to De Wit & Meyer BV / *** Thanks to Todd Johnson, Rivertown Consultants
EXAMPLE -- Assessing




















Almost Always
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Almost Never
Almost Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Almost Always
Almost Always
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Almost Never
Almost Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Almost Always
TransformationContinuity

33. 33
Values = positive results of focus on the
left pole
Values = positive results of focus on the
right pole
Fears = negative results of over-focus on the
left pole to the neglect of the right pole
Fears = negative results of over-focus on the
right pole to the neglect of the left pole
*
**
and
Polarity Map™ © 1992, 2008 Polarity PartnershipsAssociates,LLC / * Thanks to John Scherer, The Scherer Leadership
Center / ** Thanks to De Wit & Meyer BV / *** Thanks to Todd Johnson, Rivertown Consultants
EXAMPLE -- Assessing




















Almost Always
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Almost Never
Almost Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Almost Always
Almost Always
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Almost Never
Almost Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Almost Always
TransformationContinuity

34. 34
Values = positive results of focus on the
left pole
Values = positive results of focus on the
right pole
Fears = negative results of over-focus on the
left pole to the neglect of the right pole
Fears = negative results of over-focus on the
right pole to the neglect of the left pole
*
**
and
Polarity Map™ © 1992, 2008 Polarity PartnershipsAssociates,LLC / * Thanks to John Scherer, The Scherer Leadership
Center / ** Thanks to De Wit & Meyer BV / *** Thanks to Todd Johnson, Rivertown Consultants
EXPAMPLE -- Assessing




















Almost Always
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Almost Never
Almost Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Almost Always
Almost Always
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Almost Never
Almost Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Almost Always
TransformationContinuity

35. 35
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Continuity Transformationand
Lose continuity
Negative effects
of status quo
Stability
New energy and
direction
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Lose core
values
Foolish risk
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom
We All Thrive Sustainably
We All Suffer Unsustainably

36. Explore ways to us fear as a resource
to create sustainable change.

37. 37
Collective
Purpose
1.
2.
3.
Transformation
1.
2.
3.
New energy and
direction
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
STRONGLY
HELD
VALUE…

38. 38
Collective
Purpose
1.
2.
3.
Transformation
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Lose continuity
New energy and
direction
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Lose core
values
Foolish risk
OFTEN OVER-
TOLERATED…
STRONGLY
HELD
VALUE…

39. 39
Individual
Autonomy
1.
2.
3.
Continuity
1.
2.
3.
Stability
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom
STRONGLY
HELD
VALUE…

40. 40
Individual
Autonomy
1.
2.
3.
Continuity
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Negative effects
of status quo
Stability
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom
OFTEN OVER-
TOLERATED…
STRONGLY
HELD
VALUE…

41. 41
Individual
Autonomy
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Continuity
1.
2.
3.
Lose continuity
Stability
Lose core
values
Foolish risk
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom
FEARS
NOT TO BE
TOLERATED…
“Hooked” by a Pole as a “Solution”…
STRONGLY
HELD
VALUE…

42. 42
Individual
Autonomy
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Continuity
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
FEARS
NOT TO BE
TOLERATED…OFTEN OVER-
TOLERATED…
Lose continuity
Negative effects
of status quo
Stability
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy Lose core
values
Foolish risk
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom
STRONGLY
HELD
VALUE…
“Stuck” in the Downside…

43. 43
Collective
Purpose
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Transformation
1.
2.
3.
FEARS
NOT TO BE
TOLERATED…
Negative effects
of status quo
New energy and
direction
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
STRONGLY
HELD
VALUE…
“Hooked” by a Pole as a “Solution”…

44. 44
Collective
Purpose
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Transformation
1.
2.
3.
FEARS
NOT TO BE
TOLERATED…
Negative effects
of status quo
New energy and
direction
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
STRONGLY
HELD
VALUE…
“Hooked” by a Pole as a “Solution”…

45. 45
Collective
Purpose
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Transformation
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3. OFTEN OVER-
TOLERATED…
FEARS
NOT TO BE
TOLERATED…
Lose continuity
Negative effects
of status quo
New energy and
direction
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Lose core
values
Foolish risk
STRONGLY
HELD
VALUE…
“Stuck” in the Downside…

46. 46
Continuity Transformationand
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Seeing a More Complete Picture
Lose continuity
Negative effects
of status quo
Stability
New energy and
direction
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Lose core
values
Foolish risk
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom

47. 47
Using Fears as a Resource
for Learning and Leverage
• How do you honor the wisdom in the value
and fears of the other
person/group/organization – and help them
to see blind spots?
• How do you share your own values and fears
in ways that can be heard by others, while
being open to your own blind spots?
• How do you identify/create the Greater
Purpose Statement that unites values?

48. 48
5-Step S.M.A.L.L. Process
Seeing
Mapping
Assessing
Leveraging
Learning
S
M
A
L
L
Engage Key
Stakeholders

49. 49
Ineffective Leader
Values = positive results of focus on the
left pole
Values = positive results of focus on the
right pole
Fears = negative results of over-focus on the
left pole to the neglect of the right pole
Fears = negative results of over-focus on the
right pole to the neglect of the left pole
**
and
Polarity Map™
Action Steps
How will we gain or maintain the positive
results from focusing on this left pole? What?
Who? By When? Measures?
Action Steps
How will we gain or maintain the positive
results from focusing on this right pole?
What? Who? By When? Measures?
Early Warnings
Measurable indicators (things you can
count) that will let you know that you are
getting into the downside of this left pole.
Early Warnings
Measurable indicators (things you can
count) that will let you know that you are
getting into the downside of this right pole.
Greater Purpose Statement (GPS) - why leverage this polarity?
Deeper Fear – Lack of GPS
We All Thrive Sustainably
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Lose continuity
Negative effects
of status quo
Stability
New energy and
direction
Missed
opportunities
Loss of energy
Creativity
Tap new
wisdom
Lose core
values
Foolish risk
Core values
Tap past and
present wisdom
We All Suffer Unsustainably

50. 50
Leveraging—Conference Challenge!
1) Look for and document Action Steps that empower
one or both upsides.
• What can we appreciate/celebrate about what
we’re already doing well?
2 What new actions will supplement and enhance our
future performance?
• Watch for the “high-leverage” Action Steps that
empower Continuity and Transformation
3) Look for and document measureable Early Warning
Signs that tell you as early as possible that you are
getting into the downsides.