Breaking Free from Imaginative Gridlock

Ever been stuck in traffic? In 2006, my 45-minute commute turned into an 11.5-hour journey during a sudden winter storm. Cars froze in place as roads iced over within minutes. While I eventually made it home, this physical gridlock mirrors a more subtle challenge many leaders face: imaginative gridlock.

Introduced by Edwin Friedman, imaginative gridlock occurs when we repeatedly attempt new solutions to old problems instead of reframing the questions themselves. We become stuck in familiar patterns, avoiding uncertainty and risk.

Signs You're in Imaginative Gridlock:

• Seeking novel solutions to outdated problems

• Inability to separate emotions from decisions

• Avoiding necessary risks

• Clinging to comfortable patterns

Breaking Free:

1. Reframe your questions

2. Separate emotion from strategy

3. Embrace calculated risks

4. Welcome new perspectives

As a strategic outsider, I help leaders and organizations break free from imaginative gridlock. Together, we'll explore new possibilities and design pathways to meaningful transformation.

Ready to move from being stuck to a breakthrough? Let's talk!