35| Stuck in the Middle? Embrace Both/And Thinking to Drive Results [with Wendy Smith]
Apply for the Nov 2025 (limited spots remaining) or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experiencehttps://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/ What do you do when you’re stuck between two conflicting options? Deliver short-term results or take a long-term view?Focus on business outcomes or people development?Help by being the expert with the answer or a coach asking questions?For most of us, these competing choices are a source of conflict. We deal with uncertainty by asserting certainty that there are two distinct options to choose between.But what if there’s a way to embrace both?That’s why I invited Wendy Smith – award-winning psychologist and co-author of “Both/And Thinking” – to share her insights on how to make more creative, flexible, and impactful decisions in a world of competing demands.The most successful leaders and change agents have learned the power of navigating paradoxical tradeoffs and reframing problems to discover expansive solutions that didn’t initially seem possible. Tune in to learn how to shift from that “either/or” mindset and embrace a “both/and” approach to tackle tough decisions, unlock new possibilities, and lead with greater impact.YOU’LL LEARN:Can you really have it all? – The difference between an and/and vs both/and mindsetA three step process to overcome dilemmas to create a more sustainable outcomeHow to reframe a problem when faced with a seemingly paradoxical choiceThree different patterns of risk when you’re not able to shift from the either/or to the both/and thinkingThe benefits of being comfortable with the discomfort of learning something newABOUT MY GUEST:Wendy Smith is the co-author of “Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems,” an award-winning psychologist and professor at the Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. She’s spent her career studying paradoxes in leadership and on a mission to help individuals and organizations turn problems into possibilities. Wendy's passion lies in helping leaders tackle the complex challenges of interpersonal dynamics, team performance, organizational change, and innovation to transform their organizations and the world.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/35Connect with Wendy Smith: linkedin.com/in/wendykimsmithWendy’s book: bothandthinking.netCheck out my website for resources and working together: KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonTIMESTAMPS: 02:12 Misconception of both/and meaning02:44 And/and vs. both/and06:49 Balancing the roles of expert and coach 07:03 Balancing long-term innovation with immediate business needs08:06 3-step process of dealing with dilemma09:50 Expanding on and/and vs both/and12:03 How to approach paradoxical choices15:23 3 patterns of risk when you don’t shift to both/and thinking20:15 Getting comfortable with discomfort22:03 Embracing both/and mindset creates growth mindset24:36 Bringing both/and thinking to your personal life25:50 Both/and thinking at the organizational level27:44 Integrating technical process improvement with people development29:35 Enabling both/and thinking at the organizational level Apply for the Nov 2025 or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experiencehttps://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/