Metaphors

In hèlix3c we promote complex thinking; nothing is the sole cause – consequence -  but there are many factors involved when reflecting and acting on any topic. Sometimes it is difficult to give examples of complex thinking. Luckily we have a useful tool to illustrate what we mean, the metaphor.

Metaphors have the power to iconically illustrate abstract thought. They clarify and provoke to have a deeper look. Who has not felt inclined to ponder on a metaphor?

In this section you will find metaphors that approach different topics. So far we have collected over 100, which we would like to share with you. Between all of us we would like to build a “metaphory”. Be a part and share your metaphors with us! Don't forget to mark the box authorizing others to use your metaphor if that's what you want.

 

The golden calf

The Bible says that Moses ascended the mountain to receive the tables of the law claimed by the Jews. Descending he found his people worshiping a golden calf. When we don't have the inner strength of belief we create external signs and give them power over us. Nowadays the golden calf is technology. We created it and believe it to be superior to us. We glorify it and paganize ourselves.

#1
The symptom of pain

A headache is not necessarily a direct expression of the existence of a brain tumor, it can also be caused by a pair of underwear that are too tight. A symptom is a sign of something related to it but it is not the cause. The symptom is usually far from the origin. The simple way of thinking is to look for causes that are close by. The complex way of thinking offers more perspective to understand and comprehend the whole and not just a part. Complex thinking takes into account the part and the whole.

#2
The snail

To start a project we are taught to firstly build a company, elaborate a business plan, acquire an office, hire a secretary...and when you have all that, the original business idea is already dead. It is best to do as the snails; take the house with you and work from wherever you are. Since we are no snails it might be best not to think about permanent structures but to set up shop wherever we are, and take it down and move it whenever necessary.

#3
The balloon ride

A balloon ride allows us to get a wider perspective. The higher you go up the more and the better you see. We have to have our feet on the ground, but every now and then it is a good idea to go on a balloon ride to get a better perspective of where we are. Only then can we have our feet securely on the ground.

#4
Rafting

Rafting is going down mountain rivers. Of course you have to be physically prepared for rafting and know the conditions you have to prepare for beforehand. But there are other key factors that play an important role; the trust you place in the other team members and in the monitor, taking initiative in accordance with your criteria, staying connected with the team, not undertaking any destabilizing actions, not assuming what comes next but being prepared for whatever comes ... rafting is what we need to do when the environment is not stable, predictable or safe. Today our environment is turbulent and we have to start rafting. You can't save yourself if don't save your environment. (“I am I and my circumstance”, José Ortega y Gasset). Text and context, they are both at the same time. TEXT and CONTEXT. The context includes the text.

#5
The ladder of life

The chronology of life is like a ladder with the steps being those moments that marked a before and after. The landing between steps are the areas of comfort or stability, situations to regain strength for the following steps. The profile of your ladder of life draws a profile of entrepreneurship and the extent of the areas of comfort, your difficulties to embrace change. It is interesting to remember what led you to continue to climb the steps. These are the points of leverage in which you find support.

#6
Garments

We are born naked and soon we are dressed. Throughout all our childhood and later out of convenience of not going naked we add ornaments to our naked self. The prevailing idea is to cover our nakedness out of embarrassment. Only in the most intimate solitude do we take a closer look at our body trying to discover our strengths and weaknesses. But what when it comes to our minds? What garments are only ornaments and where are our real strenghts?

#7
The train tracks

A train needs two tracks in order to take passengers to their destinations. The tracks have to be parallel, ie, they never touch. They are apart from each other but allow us to get to the same place. It is essential to have two because with only one we would not get anywhere. To work properly they have to have transverses and screws that maintain the tracks parallel. Without these parts nothing would be possible at all. Could it not be that in terms of business, the conflict between management culture and the creative culture we find a similar example? Could it not be that many times we are missing screws and transverses? Does one track predominate over the other?

#8
The Butterfly Effect

When studying the patterns of climate change scientists discovered that small changes in the parameters introduced to get a pattern changed the results dramatically. That is the butterfly effect, small changes provoke big transformations.

#9
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