The Opposable Mind
Encyclopedia
The Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking is a book
published in December 2007 by Roger Martin
, Dean of the University of Toronto
’s Rotman School of Management
. The book introduces the new concept of integrative thinking
, using academic theory and insights from prominent business leaders to substantiate the idea.
Martin notes some of the major differences between integrative thinkers and conventional thinkers. Integrative thinkers: take a broad view of what is salient despite the increase it causes in the complexity of problems, consider multi directional and non-linear causal relationships, keep the entire problem in mind while working on individual segments, and search for creative resolutions rather than accept trade offs.
In the second half of the book Martin outlines how to develop integrative thinking capabilities. The three main components that make up the integrative thinkers personal knowledge system are stance, tools and experience; “the tripod
supporting the system”. Martin devotes a chapter to each element of the tripod, explaining their significance in the integrative thinker’s development and how they combine to create an effective integrative thinker.
Throughout the book, Martin studies the thought processes of prominent leaders and for each chapter uses several examples outlining how the leader used a particular aspect of integrative thinking to create successful strategy.
that understands "that fresh thought processes are required to deal with the world's contradictions and complexities" and has been praised for showing how great leaders think rather than what they do. India’s Business Today argues that the book will “almost certainly enable you to go beyond the sort of reasoning taught at most B-schools.”
The main criticism of the book has been its inability "to teach "generative reasoning" or to provide readers with specific conceptual tools and a knowledge system for integrative thinking."
Integrative thinking is taught in MBA programs at several business schools, most notably the Rotman School.
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
published in December 2007 by Roger Martin
Roger Martin
Roger Martin is Dean of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and an author of several business books. Martin has originated several important business concepts in use today, including integrative thinking...
, Dean of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
’s Rotman School of Management
Rotman School of Management
The Joseph L. Rotman School of Management commonly known as Rotman School of Management is the University of Toronto's business school, located in St. George Street in Downtown Toronto. The school, named after Joseph L...
. The book introduces the new concept of integrative thinking
Integrative thinking
Integrative Thinking is a field in Applied Mind Science which was originated by [Graham Douglas] in 1986.-Definition:Integrative thinking is a discipline and methodology for solving complex or wicked problems...
, using academic theory and insights from prominent business leaders to substantiate the idea.
Book Summary
Martin argues that to emulate the world’s best leaders people need to study how leaders think. He argues integrative thinking, is a common feature found in successful leaders. The book gives a working definition of integrative thinking as: “The ability to face constructively the tension of opposing ideas and, instead of choosing one at the expense of the other, generate a creative resolution of the tension in the form of a new idea that contains elements of the opposing ideas but is superior to each”.Martin notes some of the major differences between integrative thinkers and conventional thinkers. Integrative thinkers: take a broad view of what is salient despite the increase it causes in the complexity of problems, consider multi directional and non-linear causal relationships, keep the entire problem in mind while working on individual segments, and search for creative resolutions rather than accept trade offs.
In the second half of the book Martin outlines how to develop integrative thinking capabilities. The three main components that make up the integrative thinkers personal knowledge system are stance, tools and experience; “the tripod
Tripod
A tripod is a portable three-legged frame, used as a platform for supporting the weight and maintaining the stability of some other object. The word comes from the Greek tripous, meaning "three feet". A tripod provides stability against downward forces, horizontal forces and moments about the...
supporting the system”. Martin devotes a chapter to each element of the tripod, explaining their significance in the integrative thinker’s development and how they combine to create an effective integrative thinker.
Throughout the book, Martin studies the thought processes of prominent leaders and for each chapter uses several examples outlining how the leader used a particular aspect of integrative thinking to create successful strategy.
Leaders used in Book
- Isadore SharpIsadore SharpIsadore "Issy" Sharp, OC is a Canadian businessman and founder and chairman of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.In 1952, he graduated from Ryerson University with a diploma in Architectural Technology...
, founder of Four Seasons HotelsFour Seasons HotelsFour Seasons Hotels, Inc. is a Canadian-based international ultra-luxury, five-star hotel management company. Travel + Leisure magazine and Zagat Survey rank the hotel chain's 84 properties among the top luxury hotels worldwide... - A.G. Lafley CEO of Procter & GambleProcter & GambleProcter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
- Bob Young, co-founder of Red HatRed HatRed Hat, Inc. is an S&P 500 company in the free and open source software sector, and a major Linux distribution vendor. Founded in 1993, Red Hat has its corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina with satellite offices worldwide....
software - Piers Handling, director of Toronto International Film FestivalToronto International Film FestivalThe Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
- Moses ZnaimerMoses ZnaimerMoses Znaimer, M.A., O.Ont is a co-founder and former head of Citytv, the first independent television station in Toronto, Canada, and the current head of ZoomerMedia.-Early life and career:...
co-founder CitytvCitytvCitytv is a Canadian English language television system owned and operated by Rogers Communications under its Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. division... - Victoria HaleVictoria HaleDr. Victoria Hale founded the nonprofit pharmaceutical company The Institute for OneWorld Health in San Francisco, California in 2000 and was its chairman and CEO until 2008. She remains on the iOWH board as Chair Emeritus...
, founder of The Institute for OneWorld HealthInstitute for OneWorld HealthOneWorld Health is a 501 nonprofit drug development organization founded in 2000. Its mission is to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective and affordable new treatments and interventions for people with neglected infectious diseases in the developing countries, with an emphasis on diseases...
(IOWH) - Taddy Blecher, co-founder of CIDA City Campus
Reaction
The book has been noted for having a thesisThesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
that understands "that fresh thought processes are required to deal with the world's contradictions and complexities" and has been praised for showing how great leaders think rather than what they do. India’s Business Today argues that the book will “almost certainly enable you to go beyond the sort of reasoning taught at most B-schools.”
The main criticism of the book has been its inability "to teach "generative reasoning" or to provide readers with specific conceptual tools and a knowledge system for integrative thinking."
Integrative thinking is taught in MBA programs at several business schools, most notably the Rotman School.
External links
- The book on Amazon
- Roger Martin Rotman School of Management Profile
- Review of the book in The Financial Times
- Review of the book in The Hindu Business Line
- Review of the book in The Times
- Review of the book in The Toronto Star
- Podcast with the author on Principled Innovation
- Podcast interview with Dean Roger Martin on The Opposable Mind, 2008
- Q&A with the author in the Globe & Mail
- Special Report in Businessweek on The Opposable Mind including excerpts and podcast
- Podcast with the author on the FT Management Blog