The Opposable Mind

Roger L. Martin

When you face two opposing options, can you hold both in mind and build a better answer instead of settling for a trade off?

10 parts, about 29 minutes to read.

At a glance

You will stop settling for second best trade offs and learn to look for an answer that keeps the best of both options
You will keep your options open longer and resist simplifying a messy problem too early
You will see why people so rarely use integrative thinking, even when it is the better way to solve a hard problem

What this book is about1 min
Integrative thinkers hold two opposing ideas in tension and produce a superior new solution instead of choosing one.4 min
Every decision runs through four steps: salience, causality, architecture, and resolution; integrative thinkers broaden each one.4 min
We mistake our mental models for reality, which makes clashing models a source of conflict rather than insight.3 min
Simplification and specialization feel safe but block creative resolutions; keeping the whole in mind while working on parts beats them.3 min
Your personal knowledge system of stance, tools, and experiences reinforces itself in either beneficial or detrimental spirals.3 min
The integrative thinker's stance treats existing models as fallible constructions, welcomes opposing models, and trusts that better ones can be found.4 min
Three tools support integrative thinking: generative reasoning, causal modeling, and assertive inquiry that explores opposing views.3 min
Experiences that combine mastery with originality, and are reflected upon, build integrative thinking capacity over time.3 min
What to take away1 min