Have you ever been talking to a friend who’s trying to make a point about something, only to get stuck? They typically pause for a bit and then say, “You know, it’s kind of like … ” This is metaphorical storytelling, and there’s a reason it works. Metaphorical storytelling uses comparison to create an “understanding shortcut” by:

  1. Drawing parallels to familiar concepts to simplify the topic for the listener.
  2. Expanding on complex concepts in a way that feels more approachable or psychologically safe.
  3. Visualizing vivid mental pictures to make concepts “stickier” in the mind.
  4. Creating alignment in groups via a shorthand reference.

Identifying a metaphor that appropriately represents the information you need to communicate is especially important when stakes are high. Metaphorical storytelling helps storytellers proactively address resistance to information by giving listeners a way to see a challenge in a less threatening way.

Creating A Metaphor Is A Process

For example, moving from waterfall ways of working to cross-discipline or cross-functional ways of working can be a sensitive topic in organizations. In my years of working with digital teams, I’ve used many metaphors to describe the effects of waterfall on a company’s ability to work in real teams. But the most resonant story centers on the concept of a road trip.

This was my thought process for constructing my metaphor. You can embrace a similar process and modify it based on what you need to communicate:

  1. Why do teams struggle to work like teams?
  2. Is there a concise definition or data point on which to anchor teamwork?
  3. What are common examples of teamwork outside of work that people experience or at least have a societal reference for when things can go right or wrong?
  4. Are there a wide range of emotions, including humor, associated with this metaphor?

Use Metaphors To Solve Shared Problems

Here’s a very basic example of how I use this metaphor to prepare teams to discuss how they currently work together and how they can improve:

“Have you ever thought about how working on a team is a lot like going on a long road trip with a group of friends? We often have a destination in mind when we get in the car, but many of the events that occur along the way can be unpredictable. Think about your last road trip experience or a movie you’ve seen about a road trip. The group shares snacks, they sing songs, they get upset when someone does something that doesn’t benefit the group in the confines of the car, they argue over who will pay for gas, bring up past grievances, remember happy events, and everything in between. Inevitably, it’s the personalities of the travelers and the constraints of the car that determine the events that unfold.

“But what is always true is that everyone who begins the trip in the car should stay in the car and be in the car until the end of the trip. It’s also true that they should take turns driving and navigating.

“My favorite definition of a team was created by Patrick Lencioni, who defines a team as ‘a group of individuals with interdependence and mutual accountability.’ This sounds like a group of people going on a road trip to me.”

From this point, the group and I can continue the metaphorical discussion, but if they’re ready to transition into a more reality-based conversation, I ask questions to connect the metaphor and definition of a team to reflective questions.

Get In Touch

Metaphorical storytelling is just one tool in a storyteller’s toolkit. Forrester clients who want to explore the use of storytelling in their work can set up a conversation with us to dive deeper. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn.