Metaphors: A Powerful Way to Have Courageous Conversations
Why thinking like a rock band helps teams find their rhythm
The band was out of sync. Members were going through the motions. The creative energy was gone. Everyone could feel it, but no one could say it out loud.
This wasn’t really a band—it was a Fortune 100 team. Still, the metaphor was about to help them find their rhythm again.
When I spoke to each person individually, I saw a clear pattern. The team felt stuck and undervalued, but everyone was avoiding the conversation.
Nothing had worked before, and I was brought in as a last resort. So I tried something different: “You’re a rock band that’s lost its mojo. You’re not playing the same music anymore. Some of you are just going through the motions. Others are frustrated because they can’t try something new. You need to make a choice.”
The room went silent as I gave them two options.
“What’s your next act? Do you want to restart this band, or is it time for some of you to go solo?”
Metaphors help us make new connections and…
