Applying Polarity Thinking to Complex Societal Issues

– Chief Greg Mullen,Margaret Seidler,Jake Jacobs, and Chandra Irvin

We are at a pivotal moment in our country as it relates to police trust and legitimacy. To do nothing is not an option; to engage in a journey that has been challenging, risky, and has the potential to inform generations to come has been our responsibility and honor. — Police Chief Greg Mullen, City of Charleston, SC We experience the tension and conflict existing in complex systems all around us—companies, governments, families, and communities. In this case study, we explore the application of Polarity Thinking to a community tension in Charleston, South Carolina—a tension that is sadly present in most cities and towns across America. We italicize the many polarities we leveraged throughout this work.

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