Come up with a Metaphor

If you want to convince an audience about a change, a metaphor can be a strong influence.

An Example :

At the Olympics in 1968, jumper Dick Fosbery did something completely unexpected: He jumped with his back first. He jumped higher than no one had ever imagined and won the golden medal. The Fosbery Flop sat a new standard for how to jump.

This story can be used as a metaphor :

• Maybe your change is about developing a new approach that can set a new standard?

• Maybe you want to inspire people to take a new approach to a well-known task.

This task includes:

1. Choose a message and the specific target group you want to influence

2. Watch the inspirational videos

3. Come up with a metaphor (or steal one)

4. Metaphors can be used as openers, but they are also strong closures. Decide on whether you want to open or close with this metaphor?

The Tasks Step by Step

1. Choosing Your Change Message and Recipients.

Consider an upcoming meeting where you are to present a change.

1. Who are the recipients you want to influence?

2. What's the problem leading to this change you are presenting?

3. What’s the consequence of not solving this problem?

4. What metaphor can you use to explain the need for the change?

Examples: If you are here to install a new IT program, you can say you are here to put a plug in the sink to prevent valuable data from draining.

2. Video Material

The power of metaphors - a quick lecture

Examples of use of metaphors

3. Come up with a Metaphor

Come up with a metaphor to explain the need for your change, or the logic in changing to the new approach.