In the closing session of The Cosmic Conference, Marilyn Zakhour is joined by Jose Santos, Affiliated Professor of Practice in Global Management at INSEAD, to explore the intricate art of managing polarities in leadership.

Jose challenges conventional wisdom, shedding light on the importance of distinguishing true polarities—those interdependent tensions that sustain systems—from false dichotomies or oversimplified trade-offs. Through rich examples, he delves into situations where polarity thinking fails, such as contexts demanding radical decisions or cases where the interplay of whole systems and their parts is misunderstood.

The conversation also addresses how leaders can integrate systemic and multilevel thinking into their strategies to avoid oversimplification and foster long-term resilience. Jose reflects on the global implications of polarity thinking, offering insights into governance, innovation, and managing cultural diversity in multinational enterprises.


Jose Santos is an Affiliated Professor of Practice in Global Management.
After spending 20 years in the managerial world, Joe moved from Italy to INSEAD and devoted himself to scholarly work, a dream from his youth.
Joe’s research and teaching focuses on the management of multinational enterprise, particularly on the management of global integration, and global innovation.

In this episode of the Cosmic Conference series, Marilyn Zakhour unpacks how organizations can thrive by mastering the inherent polarities that define modern leadership. Drawing lessons from iconic case studies, such as Fujifilm and Kodak, Marilyn explores how strategy, structure, and culture can be aligned to build resilient, ambidextrous organizations that navigate complexity with grace.

Tune in to learn:

• Why mastering polarities like exploration vs. exploitation and innovation vs. efficiency is key for organizational resilience.
• How frameworks like Dave Snowden’s Cynefin Framework (link), McKinsey’s 3 Horizons of Growth (link), and Geoffrey Moore’s Zone to Win (link) can guide leaders toward sustainable growth.
• How Gary Pisano’s insights on Innovative Cultures (link) can help create a culture that balances risk-taking with high standards.
• The importance of ambidextrous organizational structures for navigating present demands while preparing for future opportunities.

🎧 Dive deeper into the stories of Fujifilm and Kodak on previous episodes of Centaur Stage:

• Fujifilm: Navigating the Tides of Change
• Kodak: When Innovation Goes Wrong

Join us for a keynote with #Burnout Research & Coach Matt Bartlett-Bond MSc GMBPsS who shares his insights and research about burnout with CEO & Founder, Marilyn Zakhour.

Matt is a key contributor to a global research initiative focused on understanding workplace burnout and promoting healthier behaviors to drive sustainable growth.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the IT sector, he offers a unique perspective on how management practices impact individual well-being and organizational outcomes.

In 2019, he pursued an MSc in Occupational and Organisational Psychology at the University of Surrey, studying the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on workplace dynamics, highlighting the importance of communication, empathy, and self-care in preventing burnout and fostering resilience.

Matt's expertise and research-backed insights make him a valuable resource for organizations aiming to improve employee well-being and long-term success.