Ambivalence in Leadership
Ambivalence is often misunderstood in leadership. As a leader, I prided myself on decisiveness—breaking through ambiguity and moving my team forward. For much of my career, ambivalence felt like something to “overcome.” However, I’ve learned that quick decision-making, while efficient, can sometimes leave team members in the dark or miss critical factors that deserve consideration.
Listening to the Hidden Brain podcast challenged my view on ambivalence and its role in leadership. Psychologist Naomi Rothman, featured in the episode "Emotions 2.0: The Benefits of Mixed Emotions," explores how ambivalence influences decision-making and perception. Her research highlights both the advantages and challenges of this emotional paradox.
Pros of Ambivalence in Leadership:
Enhanced Decision-Making: Experiencing mixed emotions can lead to more thorough evaluations of complex situations, fostering balanced and well-considered decisions.
Increased Creativity: Ambivalence encourages leaders to explore diverse perspectives, promoting innovative solutions and adaptability.
Improved Negotiation Skills: Acknowledging conflicting feelings can enhance empathy and understanding, leading to more effective conflict resolution and collaboration.
Cons of Ambivalence in Leadership:
Perceived Indecisiveness: Leaders displaying ambivalence may be viewed as uncertain or lacking confidence, potentially undermining authority and trust.
Delayed Action: Overanalyzing due to mixed emotions can result in procrastination, hindering timely decision-making and responsiveness.
Inconsistent Communication: Ambivalence might lead to unclear messaging, causing confusion among team members and stakeholders.
This emotional paradox of decision-making frequently shows up in my leadership coaching work. Together, my clients and I explore how cultivating awareness and presence can transform ambivalence into a leadership strength—balancing thorough analysis with decisive action. The result? Clear communication, well-balanced consideration, and enhanced empathy.
How do you navigate the tension between decisiveness and consideration in your leadership decisions?
