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Leveraging Political Polarization
December, 2005
By Donna Zajonc ©2005

"America is so polarized!" is a common statement these days. I often hear others say that political polarization prevents our leaders and our nation from working together.

In fact, the opposite is true. It is not our polarization that prevents us from working together. We are limited by our viewpoint of the purpose polarization serves. This viewpoint limits the effectiveness of our leaders and initiatives. If we can learn how to leverage different perspectives, we can successfully learn to work together.

All of life is based upon polarity--male and female, night and day, love and hate, life and death. From the beginning of time, philosophers, poets, sages, religious teachers and even song writers refer to the eternal dance between opposites.

The attraction between opposite forces delicately binds us together in dynamic tension similar to how a high sailing kite uses the brisk wind to soar. How do political leaders and citizens learn to leverage the natural law of polarity so that it is like the wind that flies the kite?

Consider three strategies that can help you leverage the power of political polarization and be a more effective person and leader:

(1) Shift your viewpoint that polarization is bad and understand the creative forces that are available within opposing energies
(2) Let go of resisting what you don't want and focus on what you do want
(3) Take a long term view

Shift Your Viewpoint About Polarization
Polarization allows us to see contrasts. From the contrasts we can distinguish between what we want and what we don't want. This is progress.

By celebrating the state of our political polarization, we see more clearly and are able to choose our direction. As citizens, when we leverage our political polarization, we often end up with better options and discover new directions!

Rejoice in the polarizing politics you experience! It magnifies what you don't want so you are able to consciously turn your attention and actions toward what you do want.

Focus on What You DO Want
Gandhi's famous quote "Be the change you wish to see in the world" is based upon this principle. Yet, many citizens believe they must confront what they believe is wrong in the world with the same anger and tactics that created what they don't want.

Going on the offensive against the "dark" forces we oppose will turn us into a mirror image of that which we oppose and wind up creating more polarizing energy. What we resist persists, and if we continue to focus on what we resist, we will attract more of it.

Many political activists have spent their lives marching against war. While ending conflict and suffering is a worthy goal, their energy is still focused on what they don't want: WAR. If they were to focus on what they do want, peace, they would create more peace in their lives.

Our political parties are classic examples of demonizing what the other party stands for rather than being clear about what their vision and programs are. Using these tactics the leaders of political parties cause an equal and opposite reaction, which results in more polarization.

If we lose the opportunity to learn from the contrasts that polarizing politics brings forward, nothing will be gained and the opportunity to leverage the polarity is lost. Leveraging political polarization turns what we don't want into a forgotten memory.

Take The Long Term View
Veteran Hawaii State Senator Les Ihara says he acts based upon a personal 40 year plan. That's an eternity compared to most political thinkers, but pales in comparison to the Native American approach of leading based upon seven generations hence.

Thinking and acting based upon the long view allows us to remove ourselves from the polarizing details of the moment. Bogged down in emotions and reactionary attitudes, we sometimes forget about the progress that has been made over the long run.

Rosa Parks' courageous act on a Montgomery, Alabama bus was only fifty years ago! Thinking in these terms, we can keep our eye on the vision and let go of some of the details that polarize us.

When you feel overwhelmed with details or are attached to your point of view, take a walk in nature. Notice a rock that is thousands of years old, or a nearby mountain that may be millions of years old. Then think again about whatever has you upset and angry. A new perspective settles in very quickly.

Challenging times presents a choice to us: do we want to act and lead from the human characteristics of judgment, fear and hate, or do we want the best of human nature to prevail based upon wisdom, vision, inspiration and love?

Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams and mother of President John Quincy Adams, wrote this letter to her young son and challenges him to see that polarizing times can be a blessing:

"These are the times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station that great character is formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues. When a mind is raised and animated by scenes that engage the heart, then those qualities which would otherwise lay dormant wake into life and form the character of the hero and the statesman."

Abigail knew that leveraging the polarizing perspectives of Revolutionary era politics formed a vigorous mind and nurtured the qualities of great statesman... even heroes. Here, here, Abigail!

"Beyond Polarized Consciousness" is a series of monthly essays that will begin this month by Marianne Weidlein. If you would like to receive Marianne's series please email her at aimari@earthlink.net.

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Donna Zajonc is a Political Leadership Coach, a former three-term Oregon Legislator and was her party's nominee for Secretary of State. She has also managed several campaigns including a highly visible governor's campaign. Donna challenges her clients to prepare for public office with the same rigor that all professionals seek.