I’m just wrapping up The Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking(Roger Martin).  The concept of integrative thinking is not new necessarily, but Martin’s research takes in a culmination of over 50 case studies in leadership.  Martin sums up the concept of integrative thinking as ”the ability to hold two conflicting ideas in constructive tension”.  His conclusions suggest that successful leaders are able to hold opposing ideas in tension while seeking further alternatives.

The concepts presented are helpful, instead of just intellectual.  A big takeaway for me was to be mindful of different ways of determing what is salient in decision-making.  Often I look at things through my “reality” (things I perceive as important), when there are other factors to hold in mind simultaneously that would help me make a more informed decisions.  And while we could all probably see the benefit in doing that, it’s harder, more complex, requires more mental draining. 

In other words, it’s more work.  Which, the author argues, is why successful leaders win.  All in all, a great book.  Here’s a video link to Roger Martin sharing more about integrative thinking: