Using Metaphor to Refine Leadership Research Paper

Organization Metaphors

Organizational Metaphors

Read the article by Van Engen and discuss why he concludes that metaphors "give dimension to language."

As with any literary device, metaphor is used to illustrate a complex idea and to increase the clarity of communication (Van Engen, 2008). Through the use of metaphor, the relative value of different factors is revealed; this function can be used to support decision-making and leadership (Van Engen, 2008). Through metaphor, leaders can convey their ideas with ore lucidity and creativity -- which, from the perspective of those receiving the ideas (followers, say, or other leaders), lends greater validity to the ideas (Van Engen, 2008). Leaders who use metaphor may be better equipped to connect people to an organization's stories, memories, and vision (Van Engen, 2008). Metaphor imagery can color and advance the elements of an organization's culture (Van Engen, 2008).

Discuss one the metaphors from Morgan's writings that applies to your own organizational context.

I selected Gareth Morgan's political systems metaphor because my experience with corporate organizations leads me to believe this is the dominant internal and external force shaping organizations today. A retrospective look provides ample evidence of times when religion or culture were the primary influences on organizations.Today, these influences have receded into the background, while interest-based corporate governance has taken on a decidedly political flavor. Organizations do still give attention to elements associated with the other metaphors; for example, the culture metaphor plays an important part in shaping the face that organizations share with the community (Morgan, 2006). Frequent discussions and displays in organizations center on the values, beliefs, and mission that are held or professed (Morgan, 2006). Though my view may be somewhat cynical, it often seems that the elements of cultural metaphor function more as artifice than as guiding principles. Even if these cultural elements are truly expected to be guiding principles, interest-based, political forces often eclipse culture.

From the perspective of a leader/manager, discuss the benefit of identifying the functionality of your organization through the lens of the selected metaphor. What do you learn about your organization using that metaphor?

When reviewing Morgan's metaphors, I found myself frequently coming back to the elements of the metaphor: Interests and rights, power, hidden agendas and back room deals, authority, alliances, party-line, censorship, gatekeepers, leaders, and conflict management (Morgan, 2008). These elements were strikingly familiar, particularly as forces that drive….....