Gemma Jiang - Polarity Thinking: Patterns That Illuminate Complexity

In a world shaped by uncertainty, complexity, and interdependence, polarity thinking offers a powerful lens for greater clarity and wiser action. Instead of treating tensions as problems to solve, polarity wisdom invites us to embrace dynamic balance—revealing the deeper patterns that help us move with purpose and grace.

In this interactive session, Dr. Gemma Jiang will guide participants through three practical applications of polarity thinking, grounded in complexity theory, leadership practice, and lived experience. Together, we’ll explore how navigating polarities—like linear::nonlinear, change::stability, diversity::unity—can expand our sensemaking and unlock new pathways for collaboration and growth.
You’ll walk away with:

• A felt understanding of what polarity is and how it shows up in real time
• Practical tools to restore balance, enable integration, and adapt to shifting contexts
• Insight into how small shifts in awareness can lead to meaningful transformation

Come ready to engage, reflect, and reconnect with the simple, enduring patterns that illuminate your next step—as a leader and as a human navigating complex

Bio
Dr. Gemma Jiang is a scholar-practitioner of complexity leadership and collaborative innovation, with a special focus on polarity thinking and the use of Key Polarity Indicators (KPI) to support leadership development and team effectiveness. She integrates polarity wisdom into systems change work, helping cross-disciplinary teams and leaders recognize and navigate the tensions inherent in complex environments.

Holding a Ph.D. in Complexity Leadership, Gemma blends rigorous scholarship with real-world application. She has coached and facilitated hundreds of researchers, leaders, and innovation teams across many academic and scientific disciplines. Her work creates adaptive spaces where diverse perspectives can come together for deep sensemaking, collaborative learning, and transformative action. Her published research and leadership practice focus on the dynamics of collaboration, collective intelligence, and how navigating polarity helps people move with greater clarity, compassion, and purpose.

Rooted in both classical Chinese culture and Western systems theory, Gemma thrives in spaces where curiosity, care, and complexity meet. She is based in South Carolina, and when not facilitating or writing, she enjoys lakeside walks with her husband and pup.
www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-jiang

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This event will be recorded. The event link will be published on meetup.com 1 hour prior.

Please note the time slot- this is an afternoon event for those of you on EST (12:00 noon to 2:00 pm).