Leadership Metaphor

In Short

Use metaphor to surface unconscious beliefs about leadership
Best for: Metaphor-based leadership exploration
Leadership Metaphor is a structured tool for coaching and facilitation. Use metaphor to surface unconscious beliefs about leadership. It provides a repeatable framework that can be adapted to individual, team, and leadership development contexts.
Type of tool: Metaphor-based leadership exploration
Expected outcomes:
- Improved ability to use metaphor to surface unconscious beliefs about leadership
- A concrete action or development plan to take forward from the Leadership Metaphor process

In Detail

Leadership Metaphor is a professional development resource designed to help coaches, leaders, and facilitators use metaphor to surface unconscious beliefs about leadership. It sits within the category of Metaphor-based leadership exploration, making it particularly useful for practitioners working on capability development, team performance, and individual growth in organisational settings.

In practice, Leadership Metaphor is delivered as a 6-step process. The process begins by lay out Leadership Metaphor Cards (diverse images). The session closes by close with a commitment about one concrete shift. The structured approach ensures that participants move through a consistent experience while leaving room for the facilitator to adapt pacing and depth to the group's needs.

Leadership Metaphor is most valuable when practitioners need a reliable, repeatable approach that can be adapted to different contexts without losing its core structure. It bridges the gap between conceptual understanding and practical application, making it a durable addition to any coaching or facilitation toolkit.

How to Use

1. Lay out Leadership Metaphor Cards (diverse images). 2. Ask a focusing question: 'Choose an image that represents your leadership right now.' 3. Participants pick their card and share the story behind their choice. 4. Ask: 'What does that metaphor tell you about what's working and what isn't?' 5. Participants choose a second card: 'What image represents the leader you want to become?' 6. Close with a commitment about one concrete shift.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Directly addresses the challenge of use metaphor to surface unconscious beliefs about leadership through a structured, repeatable approach Adaptable to different seniority levels, team sizes, and organisational contexts Generates actionable insight that participants can apply immediately in their work	Effectiveness varies based on the facilitator's skill level and familiarity with the tool Requires adequate time for both the exercise and a meaningful debrief to realise full value May not be appropriate for all cultural contexts without adaptation

Created by Various (narrative coaching tradition)

When to Use

This tool is suited to the following coaching and facilitation contexts:

Context	Relevant
Individual Coaching
Team Coaching
Leadership Development	✓
Facilitation / Workshop
Online / Virtual

connecteddale