Polarity Mapping Workshop

This is a practical, interactive workshop where your team will learn how to use polarity maps to explore a real tension they face, uncover the benefits and risks on both sides, and agree on simple actions to keep the right balance in their work.

Read time: 4 minutes

Have you ever noticed how some team conversations go round in circles?

One person says, “We need more structure.”

Someone else fires back, “No, we need to stay flexible.”

And suddenly you’re stuck. Again.

This happens because some tensions at work aren’t problems you can solve.

They’re polarities you need to manage.

Structure and flexibility.

Speed and quality.

Short-term results and long-term vision.

In this article, I’ll walk you through a practical tool called the Polarity Map.

I’ll also share a 1-hour workshop you can use to help your team stop arguing about which side is right and start working out how to get the best of both.

Why does this matter?

Because most teams waste time stuck in either-or debates.

They pick a side, push hard on it, and over time... the weaknesses of that side show up.

So they swing back the other way.

And the cycle repeats.

I’ve seen teams flip from “total freedom” to “rigid rules” and back again in the space of a year.

Neither side really worked.

They weren’t seeing the bigger picture.

Here's what most people miss

The goal isn’t to find the perfect answer.

It’s to keep balancing both sides over time.

That’s not easy, but it’s possible when you map out what’s happening, name the upsides and downsides, and put some practical actions in place.

And in my experience, when teams finally see this pattern, something shifts.

They stop blaming each other.

They start managing the tension together.

What will your team gain from this workshop?

Want to learn how the workshop works in practice?

Let’s get into it…

Workshop Title

Finding Balance: Using Polarity Maps to Navigate Team Tensions

Duration: 1 hour

Workshop Objectives

 Help the team explore a real tension they face.
Teach them how to use a polarity map to balance competing values.
 Leave them with a clear next step to apply in their work.

Materials Needed

 Flipcharts or whiteboard (physical or virtual)
Sticky notes or virtual sticky tools (e.g. Miro, MURAL, Jamboard)
 Pre-prepared blank polarity map template (4 quadrants)

Workshop Plan

Welcome and purpose (10 min)

Welcome and warm-up (5 min)

Identify a real team tension (10 min)

Step by step:

Keep it quick and collaborative. Use sticky notes or type into a shared space.

Spot the warning signs and actions (15 min)

Reflection and close (10 min)

Facilitation Tips

Conclusion

So here’s the takeaway.

Tensions in your team aren’t going away.

Structure versus flexibility. Focus versus freedom. Stability versus change.

You can try to solve them. Pick a side. Push harder. And watch the same problems creep back again later.

Or you can help your team see the bigger picture. See the value in both sides. And learn to manage the tension together.

That’s what polarity maps give you.

Not a perfect solution, but a practical way forward.

If your team is stuck in the same arguments, try this workshop.

You don’t need fancy tools.

You need an open conversation, a simple framework and a bit of curiosity.

The best teams aren’t the ones that agree on everything.

They’re the ones who know how to balance what matters most.

That balance is where your real results come from.

If you want the slides and handouts for this workshop you can buy them here.

They are also part of my Famous Frameworks & Models Bundle, which brings the price per workshop down considerably.

You get everything you need to run it including the process, statistics, visuals, templates, workbooks and handouts.

If growing teams and organizations using the power of workshops is a goal of yours, you can shortcut your journey and join 11,000+ others here.

See you next week.