The search for reconciling insights: a “really useful” tool for managing paradox

This article uses stories from organisations to show how the “Helvig Square” can be an accessible and stimulating tool for managers learning to manage paradox. Many of us have been socialised and educated into binary, “either/or” thinking. As managers we find it hard to cope with current management dilemmas, such as how to plan and stay flexible, how to devolve decisions and keep corporate focus. In this article we build on the work of Pascale who uses the concept of paradox and working with “contending opposites”. This is important thinking, but we show how people can still be entrenched in opposing camps and unable to engage in meaningful dialogue. We explore how managers can expand their thinking through using the Helvig Square. This framework provides a tool which represents the problem more fully, offers a means of analysis and enables a focus on action.