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Chain of Learning: Empowering Continuous Improvement Change Leaders
Trailer
Bonus
Episode 35
Season 1
35| Stuck in the Middle? Embrace Both/And Thinking to Drive Results [with Wendy Smith]
What do you do when you’re stuck between two conflicting options?
- Deliver short-term results or take a long-term view?
- Focus on business outcomes or people development?
- Help by being the expert with the answer or a coach asking questions?
For most of us, these competing choices are a source of conflict. We deal with uncertainty by asserting certainty that there are two distinct options to choose between.
But what if there’s a way to embrace both?
That’s why I invited Wendy Smith – award-winning psychologist and co-author of “Both/And Thinking” – to share her insights on how to make more creative, flexible, and impactful decisions in a world of competing demands.
The most successful leaders and change agents have learned the power of navigating paradoxical tradeoffs and reframing problems to discover expansive solutions that didn’t initially seem possible.
Tune in to learn how to shift from that “either/or” mindset and embrace a “both/and” approach to tackle tough decisions, unlock new possibilities, and lead with greater impact.
YOU’LL LEARN:
- Can you really have it all? – The difference between an and/and vs both/and mindset
- A three step process to overcome dilemmas to create a more sustainable outcome
- How to reframe a problem when faced with a seemingly paradoxical choice
- Three different patterns of risk when you’re not able to shift from the either/or to the both/and thinking
- The benefits of being comfortable with the discomfort of learning something new
ABOUT MY GUEST:
Wendy Smith is the co-author of “Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems,” an award-winning psychologist and professor at the Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. She’s spent her career studying paradoxes in leadership and on a mission to help individuals and organizations turn problems into possibilities. Wendy's passion lies in helping leaders tackle the complex challenges of interpersonal dynamics, team performance, organizational change, and innovation to transform their organizations and the world.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/35
- Connect with Wendy Smith: linkedin.com/in/wendykimsmith
- Wendy’s book: bothandthinking.net
- Check out my website for resources and working together: KBJAnderson.com
- Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjanderson
TIMESTAMPS:
02:12 Misconception of both/and meaning
02:44 And/and vs. both/and
06:49 Balancing the roles of expert and coach
07:03 Balancing long-term innovation with immediate business needs
08:06 3-step process of dealing with dilemma
09:50 Expanding on and/and vs both/and
12:03 How to approach paradoxical choices
15:23 3 patterns of risk when you don’t shift to both/and thinking
20:15 Getting comfortable with discomfort
22:03 Embracing both/and mindset creates growth mindset
24:36 Bringing both/and thinking to your personal life
25:50 Both/and thinking at the organizational level
27:44 Integrating technical process improvement with people development
29:35 Enabling both/and thinking at the organizational level
Apply for the Nov 2025 Japan Leadership Experience - super early registration rate now through March 31st!
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/