For what?
The "tetralemma" tool (Sparrer/Varga von Kibéd 2000) helps us to get out of a dilemma by bringing other possible courses of action into the field. The tool simply brings more color into a black and white world. The scope for decision-making and action is expanded. The tool can be used both individually and in teams. In our case - located in the second quadrant - it serves to gain new perspectives.
The tetralemma helps us to leave the purely rational level and opens up our intuitive intelligence by exploring alternative positions.
- Recognizing thoughts, feelings and your own attitude
- Developing your own thoughts, feelings and attitude
- Gaining new perspectives, achieving clarity about personal needs
- Dissolving blockages and breaking through patterns
Example
The tetralemma is particularly suitable in situations that require decisions that are seemingly irreconcilable - in other words, when you encounter dilemmas and paradoxes. In our VUCA world, situations increasingly arise that require deep reflection and subsequent creative, innovative action.
Dimension A of VUCA (ambiguity) in particular requires maximum mental flexibility and agility in action. The awareness that our own reality is only our own and that everything could be completely different increases when we succeed in adopting new perspectives and considering new options for action.
What matters
- First and foremost, the tetralemma requires your willingness to question positions and find new solutions. This goes hand in hand with a willingness to recognize your own thoughts and feelings and to develop your own attitude.
- Take your time (at least 45 minutes) and space: The tetralemma is a systemic structural constellation. The more time you can create, the more mental space you have available.
- The physical space also helps you to explore new positions, for example by noting the positions on cards that you place in different places in the room. You can approach these different positions - known as floor anchors - and stand on them.
- This allows you to fully immerse yourself - with your entire physical presence - in an option for action.
Step by step
The tetralemma can be performed on a small scale with pen and paper or in the large version with moderation cards in the room as a so-called constellation. The following list shows the five possible positions and the movements that you can perform mentally or physically.
- "The one": The first position - it is virtually "top of mind". It comes to mind first and we usually consider it to be the "right" one.
- "The other": This is the opposite position. It is incompatible with the first position, i.e. diametrically opposed to it. We usually consider this other position to be the "wrong" one.
- "Both": This is where it gets exciting. This is the position that combines the first two positions "one" and "the other". Because: these are often only seemingly contradictory.
- "Neither of the two": The focus here is on the question of what else it could actually be about. Perhaps "the one" or "the other" are simply symptoms of underlying phenomena.
- "Not all this (and not even that)": We often find that none of the four previous positions includes all aspects. Heitger/Serfass (2015) add "and not even that" to this position - this means that no new position is taken as a consequence of the realization that this is not a possibility either. Here you are not restricting yourself to a new position, but can perhaps remain with the open question.
Step 1
Set up the scenario: Draw the diagram in Figure 22
on a large sheet of paper or write down the position titles on moderation cards and lay them out on the floor in front of you (ideally in the cross-shaped arrangement shown). Place the fifth card slightly outside the room. Make sure you have a room with sufficient space in which no furniture prevents you from moving freely.
Step 2
Explore the first two positions: Focus on the first two options on your sheet or step around the room near the
first two cards. Name both alternatives in your own words and write down the definitions of your two positions in keywords. Also clarify and name what "one" or "the other" means to you. Pause here for a moment - mentally go through one position and then the other. Once you have placed the options in the room, don't move yet. Take around a minute in each case and feel inside yourself. Does your body sensation change, do you notice any differences between the positions?
Step 3
"Both": Now focus on the third position on your sheet
"Both" or move to this spot in the room. What do you recognize here? Ask yourself the following questions (Heitger/Serfass 2015):
- Which parts of "the one" could usefully appear "in the other"?
- Are there any overlooked overlaps?
- Can something new be developed from components of the first two positions?
- Are parts of "the other" or "wrong" the right learning steps?
- Then pay attention to your body again. What sensations do you feel?
Step 4
"Neither of the two": Now focus on the fourth position
"Neither" and use the following questions for reflection (Heitger/Serfass 2015):
- What could it "actually" or still be about?
- What could it be about instead of "the one" and "the other"?
Observe your thoughts and feelings. Pay attention to your body's signals here too.
Step 5
"Not all this (and not even that)": The fifth step is about
to radically change your perspective again and zoom out: What if none of the positions you went through resonated with you?
What if everything is possible - in other words, what if there are many more possible positions?
Step 6
Reflection: You can go through the individual items again. In another round, you may well reach a new level of insight. If you have completed the exploration for yourself, start with the reflection:
- Did you experience "one" or "the other" as positive? The body already indicates the direction for the solution here (Fritzsche 2012, Habedank 2017).
- Did you feel something positive when focusing on the two positions or standing on them? Then perhaps the result of the third component "Both" is of great importance to you.
- Or did you find the fourth aspect, "neither", to be particularly positive? If this is the case, you may discover new options for action during the process and can confidently discard the previous ones.
- If the fifth position "Not this and not that" resonates with you in particular, start another journey of discovery: Perhaps you will discover a previously unknown wish (Fritzsche 2012)?
Framework
Duration: 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on preference and possibility
Format: do it yourself mentally - on paper or in the room
Participants: individual (but can also be used in a team)
You can find more information on this and other tools for overcoming business challenges with communicative means in the book
