Operationalising the Möbius Paradigm in post-binary practice: a protocol for sustainable decision-making & dilemma reconciliation

Abstract

Building on the authors’ prior critique of traditional, dualistic decision-making—such as us versus them and right versus wrong—this paper responds to the requirement for more sophisticated approaches when engaging divergent perspectives in complex, contested, and sustainability-focused settings. It introduces a practical protocol for applying the Möbius Paradigm, a transformative leadership-, stakeholder management-, and systems-thinking framework designed to move beyond binary logic in paradoxical decision-making contexts. Inspired by the topological properties of the Möbius band as a metaphor for holistic interconnection, and positioned as an inclusive alternative to rigid, polarity-based decision-making, Möbius Logic reconceptualises choices to transcend linear either–or trajectories. The Möbius Paradigm is presented as one possible pathway to unity in diversity, enabling the integration of multiple perspectives to address the limitations of binary reasoning when navigating dilemmas within dynamic systems. Intended as a foundational articulation of decision-making open to further refinement and empirical exploration, building on earlier theoretical work and adopting a conceptual, desk-based research design, the paper illustrates how sustainability-aligned choices may be structured through a non-dualistic, process-focused operationalisation. Its central contribution is a protocol comprising transition principles and reflective practices which support systemic upskilling and dilemma reconciliation among strategic partners, stakeholders, and adversaries. By foregrounding cognitive, emotional, and value(s)-based competences, the protocol provides a platform for co-creating innovative and sustainable solutions. Future research will empirically examine its application across diverse domains, including business, governance, technology, and broader societal systems.