A or B?
Perhaps that is the wrong question.

Some decisions seem to offer only two options.

Stay or go.
Change or stick with what has been tried and tested.
Take on more responsibility or hand some over.

The longer we think about it, the more convincing the arguments for both sides become. But what happens if these two options alone don’t get us anywhere? Then it’s worth broadening the scope of our decision-making.

This is precisely where the Tetralemma comes in.
This systemic method complements the classic ‘either/or’ with further perspectives: one thing. The other. Both. Neither. And finally: something completely different.

The exciting thing about it is that not every one of these perspectives has to become the solution in the end. Simply changing one’s perspective can help to reveal entrenched assumptions, discover new possibilities and get a decision moving again.

This can be particularly valuable in coaching, leadership or change management situations. After all, complex issues can rarely be reduced to a simple ‘either/or’.

At hrdiamonds, we support individuals, teams and organisations in making sense of complex situations, incorporating different perspectives and developing sound decisions and solutions from them.

Where would it be worthwhile for you to think beyond A and B for a change?