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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Both/And Thinking summary
Wendy K. Smith, Marianne W. Lewis
Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems
8 mins
Brief summary
'Both/And Thinking' by Wendy K. Smith and Marianne W. Lewis is a business book that explores the concept of holding opposing ideas at once, finding balance between them, and reconciling them for more effective decision making.
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Both/And Thinking
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Key idea 1 of 2
Use simple techniques to train a both/and mindset.
Let’s get acquainted with two methods for approaching paradox: the way of the mule and the way of the tightrope walker.
Mules are the offspring of horses and donkeys, bred to be more patient than a horse and smarter than a donkey – the best of both. In the both/and mindset, your mule is a strategy that lets you synergize two opposing elements of a paradox to create a win-win. Say you have a calendar clash between a leadership retreat and a family wedding. You could cancel one. Or you could breed a mule. For example, you could offer to plan part of the retreat – putting in the hours ahead of time to demonstrate your commitment to your work – but spend the day itself at the wedding.
Other times, you might want to try the tightrope walker method. Here, you’re not trying to integrate competing priorities, but disperse your attention across them. How might a tightrope walker respond to that dilemma of the calendar clash? They’d examine how well they’re balancing the opposing poles of work and family, and decide what shifts are needed to keep things in an overall equilibrium. If the tightrope walker had been putting in long hours at work, they might decide it’s time to give their family more attention and opt out of the retreat – making a note to correct the balance at work later.
Whether you want to try breeding a mule, walking a tightrope, or just freestyling in the face of paradox, always remember the ABCs – and D! – of embracing a paradox mindset.
A is for assumptions – more accurately, challenging assumptions. Facts are facts, but truths can be different for everyone. Recognizing that different truths can coexist is a key pathway into both/and thinking.
B is for boundaries. You shouldn’t embrace tension purely for the sake of it. What’s your mission statement? Where do your limits lie? What are your must-haves and your deal-breakers? Questions like these will help you set the boundaries you need to engage with tension in a sustainable way.
C stands for comfort. Paradoxes breed uncomfortable feelings. Accept discomfort when it arises. And try to lean into the positives of uncertainty – excitement, potential, and wonder.
And D? That’s for dynamism. Both/and is a mindset, not a one-off strategy. Ensure you’re constantly tweaking your patterns, seeking feedback on your actions, and letting go of assumptions that no longer feel fresh.
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What is Both/And Thinking about?
Both/And Thinking (2022) offers a new framework for decision-making. With an either/or mindset, your world appears full of complex choices and difficult sacrifices. By adopting a both/and mindset, you can transform tough choices into fruitful opportunities – no sacrifices necessary.
Both/And Thinking Review
Both/And Thinking by Wendy K. Smith, Marianne W. Lewis (2021) introduces a new way of thinking that allows us to embrace contradictions and find innovative solutions. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers a fresh perspective on problem-solving, showing us how to apply both/and thinking to overcome binary limitations and achieve breakthroughs.
- The book provides compelling case studies that demonstrate how organizations and individuals have benefited from adopting this mindset, making it highly practical and relevant.
- With its thought-provoking ideas and actionable strategies, the book keeps readers engaged, ensuring that the journey of transformation is anything but boring.
Who should read Both/And Thinking?
- Anyone who thinks sacrifice is the only path to finding success
- Busy professionals struggling to prioritize professional and personal obligations
- People whose lives are full of complications – but who want to thrive anyway!
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Both/And Thinking FAQs
What is the main message of Both/And Thinking?
The main message of Both/And Thinking is that embracing paradox and complexity leads to better decision-making and innovation.
How long does it take to read Both/And Thinking?
Reading Both/And Thinking takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.
Is Both/And Thinking a good book? Is it worth reading?
Both/And Thinking is worth reading as it helps expand our thinking and offers a practical framework for navigating ambiguity.
Who is the author of Both/And Thinking?
The authors of Both/And Thinking are Wendy K. Smith and Marianne W. Lewis.
What to read after Both/And Thinking?
If you're wondering what to read next after Both/And Thinking, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Do Hard Things by Steve Magness
- Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Marilee Adams
- Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz
- Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Why Motivating People Doesn't Work ... and What Does by Susan Fowler
- Doing the Right Things Right by Laura Stack
- The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer
- Thinking in New Boxes by Luc de Brabandere and Alan Iny
- Slow Productivity by Cal Newport