Accelerating Resilience via Antagonistic Cooperation
In our Jazz Leadership work, people are often drawn to our principle of Antagonistic Cooperation (A.C.). The curiosity is sparked by the seeming contradiction of the phrase and the intriguing notion that it should be a part of a leader’s skillset. A.C. provides a novel approach and mindset to deepen self-awareness and use the creative tension of challenge and conflict to reveal new possibilities.
Antagonistic Cooperation is a phrase and idea derived from the hero’s journey where the protagonist views the antagonists as going against him. In jazz, this principle changes the perspective from negative to positive—from something that detracts to adding or multiplying your advancement.
Antagonistic Cooperation (A.C.) is seen in jam sessions and the competitive fun of “cuttin’ contests,” where musicians on the same instrument challenge each other on stage, each responding to the other and creatively improvising in exciting directions. A variation on this theme is "trading fours," with two soloists trading improvisational call and responses of four bars each, back and forth. This exchange can bring out their best as they challenge and support each other. Success is measured by the enthusiasm and excitement of band members and the patrons experiencing an beautiful musical display of deep listening and skilled replies.
Antagonistic Cooperation is the realization that challenges are inevitable and that growth and learning aren’t possible without it. Those situations, persons, and things that seemingly go against our ways, goals, and objectives can and should be viewed as cooperating with our evolutionary impulse to advance and uplevel.
Antagonistic Cooperation requires you to assess your assumptions, examine your motivations, and adjust your thinking and skillset to expand and refine your approach and steps. AC exemplifies a mindset fueled by curiosity, inquiry, discovery, and willingness to take risks, which strengthens the capacity to hold the tensions of complexity; to discern with more nuance; and to develop a maturity mindset.
A.C. reframes relationships and invites clarification, counterstatement, assent, and/or dissent. A.C. presents the opportunity to better understand the views and reasoning of those whom you are in conflict with or are challenged by.
A.C. represents a pivot point–a departure from where you believe you are, or should be, to a new experience. This juncture or threshold provides a way to transform challenges and competition into personal and interpersonal growth and development.
Applying this creative principle to the challenges and conflicts of the workplace can bring fresh perspectives and new ways of understanding. Our ability to handle conflict is linked to our development and maturity. Reframing challenges and conflicts through a mindset of discovery is a pathway to build trust and establish rapport for positive change.
We invite you to join us for a free one-hour webinar this Friday, April 18th, “Antagonistic Cooperation: Accelerating Growth & Resilience via Conflict and Challenge.”
We'll demonstrate how constructive tension accelerates individual and organizational resilience. The session will focus on:
• Transforming conflict into collaborative energy through creative tension
• Designing communication frameworks that welcome strategic disagreement
• Developing leadership practices that convert potential friction into innovation pathways
We hope to see you on Friday.
