Introduction to metaphor
Previously, you’ll have seen a typical scenario which plays out in homes and workplaces every day.
Here we highlight a simple way of looking at our differences and appreciating them through the lens of nature.
Nature provides wonderful metaphors to help us describe and think about similarities and differences.
“Metaphors aren’t true but they’re useful”
Seth Godin
TetraMap uses the four of Elements of nature as a simple way to help us understand aspects of human nature.
Play with the model below and at the same time think about the different people in your meetings. Who do you recognise?
Activity: Mouse over and click each of the triangles and see what they reveal about the scene.
Just as this describes the scene so can it be used to describe the differences in people.
For Emma, her focus is on the output of the meeting, and is single-minded about being on time and budget. She is firm about her goals and finds it frustrating to waste much time on small talk. She is assertive, competitive, blunt, likes a challenge and is willing to put herself on the line for a result that makes her stand out.
Emma’s preference is likely to be Earth.
Mae Ling loves a good spreadsheet. She is well organised and plans her time daily according to her priorities. She loves to bring clarity and logic through well-structured arguments. Chaos and uncertainty are not her friends. She asks many questions and prefers decisions are based around data and analysis. Doing things once and doing them right are her watchwords. Mae Ling’s preference is likely to be high in Air
Mark’s focus is on feelings and harmony in the team. He notices tensions, takes time to listen, and keeps calm when frustrations and anxieties spill over into conflict. In meetings he prefers to go with the flow, knowing others prefer to so most of the talking. Mark shows steadfast effort, and great patience and holds the team together.
Mark’s preference is likely to be Water.
Ravi is full of enthusiasm, energy and ideas. He’s upbeat, and his positivity helps everyone see bright futures ahead. He likes trying new things, activities, and restaurants. He enjoys change, variety and anything that can be fun. He often finds meetings long and dull. During the Covid Lockdown, he created lots of online games and quizzes for friends and family to meet up. Ravi’s preference is likely to be high in Fire.
With some practice it can be easy to spot these things. Give it a try with your colleagues and any other meetings your a part of. The things we have highlighted just indicate our natural preferences but do not define who we are.
Remember: no one is just one Element –
we ALL have aspects of ALL the Elements.
