The Third Way Triangle
The world stands on the brink of massive change as we face the existential challenges of the climate crisis and an AI-driven re-definition of human role and purpose. We are at the crossroads of an unimaginable transformation that demands a new level of human collaboration.
I have thought deeply about these topics, talked with academics and professionals around the world, and read as much literature as possible on how we can find a way to work together for the benefit of all humanity, because today Now more than ever, we need a new way to address these challenges. As the saying goes: what got us here won’t get us where we need to be.
I have tried to formulate a very simple framework based on spiral dynamics that explains the transformative journey we take from conflict to compromise and ultimately to the peak of synergy. The framework describes the only possible way to resolve the looming and existential challenges facing our generation: the third way.
I have distilled this framework into three paradigms, which I describe below.
1. The conflict paradigm: an impasse of beliefs
In this scenario, two parties have opposing viewpoints: they disagree and leave with their initial viewpoints intact. Imagine two neighbors fighting over land. They are deeply entrenched in their views, believing that their claims to the land are the only valid ones. They engage in heated discussions, with neither party willing to listen to or sympathize with the other’s point of view. The dispute escalates, possibly leading to legal battles or lingering animosity. No resolution is reached and both sides are left unsatisfied, with the land itself potentially neglected or becoming a symbol of their conflict, often leaving bitter memories likely to be passed down from generation to generation.
2. The compromise paradigm: settling for less
Two parties with opposing views listen to each other and find a compromise that both can live with, but find worse than their initial solution. Here, neighbors recognize the need to find common ground. They engage in discussions and negotiations, each presenting their case. Eventually, they agree to divide the land, each getting a share. Both feel like they’ve given up more than they wanted to, leading to begrudging acceptance rather than true resolution. The land is divided, but none of the neighbors are really happy with the result. This is the definition of lose-lose in the sense that both parties must give up something to reach common ground, leaving neither party truly satisfied. Compromise can be a curse because it can often create unintended long-term consequences.
3. The synergy paradigm: the third way
The pinnacle of this transformative journey is the synergy paradigm. This is where the magic happens but requires the most effort and the ability to leave egos at the door. Two parties with opposing views genuinely listen to each other, value each other’s points of view and, based on a holistic understanding, form a third option that both believe is better than their initial point of view. The approach is fundamentally different. Neighbors come together, not only to negotiate, but also to understand each other’s needs and perspectives.
Through open and empathetic dialogue, they discover a common interest in gardening. This leads to an innovative solution: transforming the contested land into a common garden. Both contribute to its development, creating something that is more valuable to each of them than what they were originally seeking. The land becomes a source of community and beauty, a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and mutual understanding.
As we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in history, facing daunting challenges such as climate change and the rise of AI, the need for a synergistic approach has never been more pressing. The vast majority of the world’s population has not yet adopted this paradigm which requires an urgent and widespread change in our collective mentality.
Evolution always has an individual and collective angle. Individuals must embrace change, leave their comfort zone, and learn to behave synergistically, while the collective must find ways to foster synergistic behavior, starting with early childhood education, through to promotion synergistic values and encouraging individuals to act synergistically.
To navigate the complexities of our times, embracing the paradigm of synergy is not only beneficial, it is essential. It’s about deepening connections, unleashing creativity and building a society that collaborates in innovative ways. Our mission is monumental: to accelerate our evolution toward this paradigm, preparing us to shape a sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future for all.
