Polarity Maps from
Chapter 9 of "Hug of War"
List of Polarities from
Chapter 9 of "Hug of War"
Common Leadership Polarities
• My way :: your way
• Control :: trust
• Doing :: delegating
• Relaxed :: driven
• Care for self :: care for others
• Minimize conflict :: embrace conflict
• Follow rules :: question rules
• Perfect :: good enough
• Tell :: ask
• Trusting :: skeptical
• Evolutionary :: revolutionary
• Think :: feel
• Urgent :: patient
• Disrupt :: stabilize
• Wield power :: share power
• Guide :: empower
• Exude competence :: exude warmth
• Competitive :: collaborative
• Planned :: opportunistic
• Diplomatic :: candid
• Power in knowing :: power in not knowing
• Analysis :: intuition
• Relationship :: task
• Challenge :: support
• Confidence :: humility
• Leading :: following
• Visionary :: pragmatic
• Accommodating :: demanding
• Daring :: careful
• Calming :: stimulating
• Fast :: thorough
• Directive :: participative
• Individual decisions :: team decisions
• Strategy :: execution
• Efficiency :: effectiveness
• Stability :: change
• Innocent :: political
• Soft-spoken :: forceful
• Fun :: focused
• Focus on results :: focus on process
• Creative :: logical
• Action :: reflection
• Hold lightly :: take seriously
• Appreciate what is :: ask for more
• Develop bonds :: maintain distance
• Diverse :: homogeneous
• Spend :: save
• Form :: function
• Simple :: detailed
• Customize :: standardize
• Formal :: informal
• Broad :: narrow
• Spontaneous :: planned
• Freedom :: security
• Long term :: short term
• Trust in self :: trust in others
• Mission :: margin (common in nonprofits)