Dilemmas

Trompenaar’s was the first (that I know of) to formalize the resolution of dilemmas. The word “Dilemma” in Greek is defined as “two propositions in conflict”. We talk about a dilemma when we seem to come across a difficult choice which has to be made between two opposing options, both having interesting advantages. (“On the one hand…on the other” is a typical expression of a dilemma). Trompenaars proposes a technique for reconciling dilemmas.

Dilemmas are a lot more interesting than problems!

I was fortunate to attend a workshop he led in the early 2000’s and he provided the participants with a form to help define the dilemma.

Resources

• These two books by Trompenaars provide sometimes shocking insights into cultural differences especially for people working in a diverse environment or working for aq global company.
• The website https://thtconsulting.com/models/dilemma-thinking/ describes the process to reconcile dilemmas.

Interesting Fact

Rushworth Kidder, founder of the US-based Institute for Global Ethics, recognizes four types of ethical dilemma: 
short-term versus long-term,
individual versus community,
truth versus loyalty and
justice versus mercy.

Here is a lengthier treatment of Kidder’s ethical dilemmas, with links to his famous book.