The Emulsifier

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It's almost impossible to mix oil and water together in an enduring form without an emulsifier.

This is a managerial method for dealing with (and learning from) persistent intransigence between two colleagues.
When extreme antipathy or enmity threatens an important professional relationship a third person may help.
- It is said that 'opposite' cognitive types/roles (e.g. creatives and organisers) are frequently antagonistic to one another.
It is important to welcome and value the differences in these individuals, rather than seeing it as a human problem.
Both types of thinking are needed by the organisation, and the boundary between the two may hide unseen opportunities.
1. Select an intermediary facilitator (or 'emulsifier').
- Ideally, s/he must get on better with each of the two colleagues than each gets on with one another.
- Ideally, s/he must be capable of understanding and respecting the challenges and values inherent in their roles.
- Ideally, s/he must be an excellent languager.
2. Seat the three in an equilateral triangle
- This should be as small as possible
- However, it should not be so small that the proximity of partners might inflame the situation.
3. Brief the Emulsifier to listen attentively to each, and to make notes about the virtues of their respective standpoints.
4. Ensure that the Emulsifier registers any possible lessons/latent benefits from across all three relations i.e. :
- A) Creative to Organiser
- B) Creative to Emulsifier
- C) Organiser to Emulsifier

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