Stop Explaining. Start Showing.—Your Shot of Fearless Culture #406
Where change agents find their weekly dose of culture insights and exercises, one topic at a time.
Here’s one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in this work: Teams don’t change because of logic. They change because of stories.
I can show a team endless data—scores, charts, surveys—and nothing happens. But when I use the right metaphor, something clicks. People stop being defensive and start seeing the bigger picture.
A good metaphor bypasses resistance. A great metaphor gives team members courage they didn’t know they had.
I’ve seen rock-band metaphors help leaders admit they’re out of sync. I’ve seen weather metaphors get leaders to talk about emotions they normally ignore. And I’ve seen a sunken-ship metaphor expose risks no one dared to reveal.
That’s what happens when you find the right story.
If your team is stuck, hiding from the truth, or dealing with the same problems over and over, they don’t need more data. They need a better metaphor.
Curious? Explore this week’s newsletter:
My latest article → Metaphors: A Powerful Way to Have Courageous Conversations
Exercises and resources to leverage the power of metaphors.
Stay fearless, my friend.
Gustavo
In Case You Missed It
→ How to Win the Culture Change Narrative War
Ask Your Team This
If you had to describe our team using a metaphor, what would it be, and why?
⚠️ Try This
What Inflates or Deflates Your Team?
Introduce the metaphor: “Our culture is like a balloon. Some things inflate it—giving it energy and momentum. Other things deflate it—slowly or suddenly draining our passion.
Ask everyone to reflect on specific, observable things:
INFLATES:
“When someone jumps in to help without being asked.”
“Friday recap emails that celebrate small wins.”
“Our team leader acknowledged they don’t have all the answers.”
DEFLATES:
“Meetings that could’ve been an email.”
“Decisions that get reversed without explanation.”
“Waiting three days for a simple yes or no.”
Once you’re done, reflect on one deflator you can fix this week. Don’t try to fix everything. Just pick one.
🍦 Feed Your Curiosity
The Power of Metaphors When Introducing Change Initiatives
How Metaphors Shape Our Thinking
Watch your language: The Hidden Power of Words in the Workplace
🔎 Get the Culture You Deserve
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Gustavo Razzetti
CEO, Fearless Culture