An inspiring read filled with real-life examples. Though the book appears geared mainly toward a management or IO Psych readership, I found I was applying many of these ideas early in the reading with my clinical clients. This really is a must read for anyone interested in bridging the many complex and pressing problems and divisions facing the world today.

This book is an interesting study in mental flexibility and inclusionary thinking. I found it to be filled with valuable skills. The pace is a bit slow, but worth the read.

While this book is written by business school professors, the language and narratives are accessible to the non-business minded. I found myself sucked in by the story of Fogo Island and how they were going to solve their dilemma by identifying the underlying paradox (plus now I need to go there to see it for myself). I can see how with some practice, I can use this kind of both/and thinking to get to the root of my challenging decisions and solve them in a new way. I appreciate the perspective. (thanks to the authors for my ARC!)

Business leaders will find this book of interest and it can expand their thinking and their problem solving skills by allowing them to consider and apply different methods of thinking and consideration.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

BOTH/AND THINKING changed how I think about thinking. No exaggeration. From the first chapters and discussion of paradox, convergent versus divergent thinking, Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis enchanted, entertained, and brought to vivid life the possibilities that come when we pause to think about the potential between alternatives. I advanced from swift, decisive, smart decision making between two alternatives to pausing for other options drawing from both. As writer, parent, partner, friend, and citizen of the world, I am wiser and calmer in the face of chaos; what used to feel like impossible dilemmas now offer fascinating insights and opportunities. Accessible, practical, and action-oriented, BOTH/AND THINKING provides smart, deep expertise we can put to immediate use. I received an early copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

There are several interesting ideas developed in the book with great stories and charts. I feel this is book for higher-level decision makers in business world, but this is still a good read for anyone who'd be interested in problem solving.

Very intensive book on a very niche development in the line between sociology and business science. It develops the concepts introduced well but fails to bring it down to a smaller level for how the concepts might be useful in a layman's life.

This is nicely done. With stories, examples, charts, summaries, and context, this does a nice job of explaining the authors' ideas and approaches. With a little imagination, anyone can use these ideas to there benefit, although since it seems like the target audience is (business) leaders, I felt like the content wasn't directly relevant to me (non-leader). Nonetheless, the content is solid and generally actionable.

Thanks very much for the free ARC for review!!

Both/And Thinking is an important book for the complex world we are living in. This is in contrast to either/or thinking where we feel there are only two extremes of options and not a way to hold both extremes at once. This book begins with a foreword by Amy Edmondson who is known for her research on psychological safety - which in itself is a paradox - to have courage to be vulnerable Paradox is defined as persistent and interdependent contradictions. I am familiar with polarity management and they use models and examples throughout this book grounded in that theory. This book is well-researched and has great case studies from corporations, communities, and academia. At the end of each chapter are the key take-aways and many tools are shared throughout. At the end of the book there are examples for individual decisions, interpersonal, and organizational decisions with examples illustrating each of these. There are also leadership actions to implement a paradox system within our communities and organizations including a Paradox Mindset Inventory. The example I felt to be incredibly compelling was the example from Charleston about policing vs. community support. I recommend that people and organizations come together when there are diametrically opposing views (or seems to be the case) and use their tools as a way to create dialogue. I recommend this book.