Tension Inversion
If a team is navigating subtle or persistent friction, and they engage in an inversion exercise that exaggerates or distorts their current behaviour, then they tend to surface richer, more honest tensions that can guide inquiry and learning.
When teams sense that something is off, they often fall into problem-solving mode too quickly. This rush can surface superficial issues while deeper tensions remain unspoken. Tension Inversion slows the process by deliberately inviting exaggeration and inversion. By flipping the situation and asking what would make things worse, teams can safely reveal the unspoken contradictions, role conflicts, and unacknowledged patterns driving their experience.
How to use this pattern
Tension Inversion unfolds through the following moves:
Frame the Inversion Prompt
Pose a deliberately provocative question: "If we wanted to make this situation worse, what would we do?" Encourage humour, exaggeration, and honesty. Prompt from specific experiences or zones on the Coherence Map.
Generate the Anti-Patterns
In pairs or small groups, generate playful responses. Examples might include: "Always schedule meetings during the busiest times" or "Only ask users for feedback once it’s too late to change anything."
Flip and Name the Tension
Reflect on each anti-pattern. Ask: What is this showing us? What tension or contradiction is hidden inside it? Name it in plain language, such as:
"Speed versus inclusivity"
"Surface alignment versus lived contradiction"
"Urgency theatre versus thoughtful impact"
Place on the Coherence Map
Take the named tensions and map them to the zone where they feel most alive. Are they a source of chaotic buzz? A form of draining friction? Let the map hold them.
Affordances
The inversion prompt itself acts as a clear and engaging cue, lowering defensiveness and inviting honesty
Anti-patterns reveal deeper beliefs, fears, and dysfunctions that may not be accessible through direct questioning
If taken too literally, the exercise may be mistaken as sarcasm or critique rather than inquiry. Facilitation must hold the reflective tone.
Stances
The Explorer: brings playful curiosity and a willingness to exaggerate what feels broken
The Challenger: uses exaggeration to safely call out invisible patterns or taboos
The Skeptic: asks whether the inversion reflects a real dynamic or just a caricature
The Learner: listens for what the anti-pattern teaches us about underlying tensions