Embracing Paradox: Wendy K. Smith on Navigating the Both/And in Tech Leadership

The Tech Humanist Show

In this insightful episode of The Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill welcomes Wendy Smith, the Dana J. Johnson Professor of Management at the University of Delaware. Wendy is an expert in strategic paradoxes and brings a wealth of knowledge from her groundbreaking work and acclaimed book, “BOTH/AND Thinking.”

Wendy dives deep into the pitfalls of “either/or” thinking, a mindset that often leads organizations and individuals to swing between extremes without finding effective middle grounds. Instead, she advocates for embracing “both/and” thinking, highlighting how this approach helps organizations balance competing priorities, avoid polarization, and uncover more holistic solutions.

The episode features compelling case studies, including Unilever under the leadership of Paul Polman and Southwest Airlines with Herb Kelleher and Colleen Barrett. These examples illustrate how “both/and” thinking can integrate financial success with social and environmental well-being, as well as improve customer experience and financial outcomes through people-centric strategies.

Wendy also brings attention to the impact of automation and the significance of reskilling and reengaging employees rather than merely replacing them with technology. Kate and Wendy explore how leaders can use paradoxical thinking to navigate the complexities posed by emerging technologies like AI.

Listeners will learn about strategic frameworks for addressing competing demands, the importance of “tightrope walking” in decision-making, and the relevance of “both/and” thinking in personal relationships. Wendy touches upon the development of a paradox mindset inventory, and the unique challenges faced by women in leadership roles are discussed, with insights into how they might naturally adopt a “both/and” thinking approach.

Join Kate O’Neill and Wendy Smith as they delve into how embracing complexity and contradiction can lead to more innovative, sustainable, and human-centric solutions. This episode provides a treasure trove of practical insights and strategies for leaders and organizations aiming to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

Topics Covered:

• The downside of “either/or” thinking and the benefits of “both/and” thinking.
• Case studies on Unilever and Southwest Airlines.
• Addressing automation through reskilling, not displacement.
• Strategies for navigating competing demands with a higher purpose.
• Exploring the paradox mindset inventory.
• Insights into gender roles and leadership.

Guest Contact Information:

Website: BothAndThinking.net
Both/And Thinking book: On Amazon
Instagram: @Prof.WendySmith
X.com: @ProfWendySmith
LinkedIn: Wendy K. Smith

Episode Chapters

00:00 Wendy Smith: Embrace complexity, balance innovation, human-centricity.
03:23 We misframe challenges as either-or dilemmas.
07:36 Work-life balance: competing demands, conflicting choices.
12:13 Commitment: Double profits through social, environmental focus.
14:51 Southwest Airlines prioritized people, boosting service success.
16:58 Empower agency, embrace automation, enable responsible growth.
20:21 Enable skill growth; address individual-managerial challenges.
24:15 Discussing women’s leadership styles and SEO challenges.
27:48 Women face unique leadership challenges due to stereotypes.
31:05 Seeking insights on tech-driven competitive innovation.
36:13 Paul Polman: Separate, understand, integrate sustainability and business.
39:17 Balanced scorecard integrates multiple metrics for decisions.
43:12 Balancing competing demands in organizational decisions.
48:15 Embrace nuanced thinking over binary choices.
50:03 Sign up for Tech Humanist Show newsletter.