More Examples of Using Metaphors to Illustrate Change

1. Change as a Journey (Travel/Exploration)

• Metaphor: “We’re on a road trip.”
• Meaning (change has a starting point, obstacles, detours, milestones and a destination.)
• Implication (leaders are guides, maps are strategies and everyone must travel together.)

2. Change as Growth (Nature/Seasons)

• Metaphor: “The organisation is like a tree.”
• Meaning (change is organic, with cycles of growth, pruning and renewal.)
• Implication (patience, nurturing and adaptability are needed; change is not instant.)

3. Change as a Battle (Conflict/Struggle)

• Metaphor: “We must fight resistance.”
• Meaning (change involves overcoming opposition and obstacles.)
• Implication (frames change as a struggle, often motivating urgency, but risks creating winners vs losers.)

4. Change as a Machine (Engineering/Systems)

• Metaphor “We’re re-engineering the organisation.”
• Meaning (change is about fixing or redesigning broken parts in a system.)
• Implication (encourages efficiency and precision, but can devalue human emotions.)

5. Change as a Dance (Movement/Flow)

• Metaphor: “We must learn new steps together.”
• Meaning (change is about coordination, timing and practice.)
• Implication: Emphasises flexibility, partnership and adaptation.

6. Change as a Bridge (Transition/Passage)

• Metaphor: “We’re crossing from the old world to the new.”
• Meaning (change is about moving from one state to another, with uncertainty in between.)
• Implication (focus on managing the transition zone where people feel most uncertain.)

7. Change as Fire (Energy/Destruction & Renewal)

• Metaphor: “We need to ignite transformation.”
• Meaning (change can destroy the old but also clear space for renewal.)
• Implication (high energy, but risk of burnout if unmanaged.)

8. Change as Learning (School/Experiment)

• Metaphor: “We’re in a classroom of transformation.”
• Meaning (change is about experimenting, failing, learning and improving.)
• Implication (encourages curiosity and resilience, but requires tolerance for mistakes.)

Why Metaphors Matter

• They shape mindset (calling change a “battle” vs a “dance” creates very different responses.)
• They simplify complexity (abstract processes become relatable.)
• They can influence behaviour (if leaders use positive, growth-based metaphors, people are more open to change.)

(main source: Alin Jitarel, 2017)