Math Tug of War: The Trouble with Cultural Gridlock

by Julian S. Newman

We have all seen it.

Departments or colleagues deeply entrenched in separate ideological positions while attempting to solve the same problem.

To better explain it, I will use a adjusted math style equation:

_____________________________________________________

A = Person 1 with a Perspective about Problem

B = Person 2 with conflicting Perspective about Problem

X = Problem

A (X) B = Gridlock

______________________________________________________

Both parties are wrestling with the problem at the same time they are at odds with each other.

The harder one party pulls at the “rope”, the more the other digs in.

Though there is a considerable amount of energy expended, the problem remains unsolved.

Tug of war is a zero sum game.

One team wins, one team loses, and the losing team has a face full of dirt (or in some cases mud!).

The challenge with “tug of war” problem solving is that parties always see the other through the prism of the problem.

While looking at the other party through the problem prism, the parties associate the other party with the problem itself.

A becomes the issue with B, and B becomes the problem with A, all the while X is mostly untouched.

But what if we changed the equation?

What if A & B redirected their energy at the problem and not at each other?

Look at what can happen if we make simple positional change:

_________________________________________________________

A+ B vs X = Resolution _________________________________________________________

A & B, rather playing a savage game of Tug of War with each other can combine their collective energy and direct their attention at solving the problem instead of attacking each other.

Is your organization in the middle of cultural gridlock?

A simple adjustment to the equation might just change everything.