In cognitive development, one of the hallmarks of the transition from adolescent to adult thinking is the transition from either-or to both-and thinking. This is equally true as organizations move into more mature levels of development. In this transition, we hear fewer either-or conversations that create risky dichotomies. In adult organizations we talk instead about how we can be for profit and planet, younger generations and older, efficiency and generosity, autonomy and alignment, stronger and weaker networks, continuities and innovations.
Organizations grow when they realize that adolescent thinking doesn't have the power to create adult conversations.
