In the previous two essays and in this third essay, I introduce a diverse set of strategies and tactics which I believe provide a viable alternative to Serenity as a way in which to cope with pressing VUCA-Plus issues. This set of strategies and tactics concern the Essential concerns embedded in each of the VUCA-Plus issues. I turn in this essay to ways in which contradiction is transformed to prioritization.
A critical matter exists with regard to the process of Polystasis that I have introduced in this series of essay. We need to set the baseline as guide for predictions and actions. Competing priorities are often facing us. We don’t know what is essential because each competing priority is Essential in one way or another. We may be able to eventually address both priorities but must do something right now with regard to the starting point and the matter of deferral. I propose that we can deploy one of two strategies. The first one is often recommended when addressing the challenge of prioritization. It concerns valuing and sequencing. The second is a bit more novel and of more recent origins. It concerns the management of polarities.
Valuing and Sequencing
We prioritize in two ways. One way is through assigning a higher value to some options than to others. The second way is to assign equal values to all options but set up a sequential prioritization with some options being addressed before other ones.
Valuing
The first way is quite straightforward—but is often soul-wrenching given the importance (Essential-status) of each option. In making the difficult decision regarding this prioritizing, I return to the criteria of Essential that I introduced in the first essay in this series. I distinguished between those Essential matters that are aspirational (positive motivation) and those that are filled with apprehensive (negative motivation) (Bergquist, 2024):
“That which is essential is situated at the top of any system. It can be represented as the tip of a pyramid of hopes and needs. From this perspective, that which is essential can be considered Aspirational. We believe that something good will be achieved which overrides everything else. . . . There is an alternative representation. It is the portrait of a fiery pit. That which is essential can be oriented toward heaven (aspirational) or toward (hell). The latter way to think of essential is from the fear-based perspective of Apprehension. The fiery pit looms in front of us. We fear that something bad will overtake everything of importance in our life. Essential matters become existential. They receive our sustained attention because the future of our relationship, team or organization depends on our successful achievement of specific, essential outcomes.”
Download Article 1K Club
