Editorial metaphor

Category: Editorial

Why do people follow soap operas on television? In the UK why are Coronation Street and Eastenders so important? Why do others of us follow, decade after decade, The Archers on the radio? Why do we read novels? After all, these are all just fiction? They are not true, just stories.

Why do we have a cult of celebrity, with people following the lives of film stars, footballers and royalty?

Although they are also entertainment, their attraction is that they are metaphors. They are an opportunity for us to explore ideas and patterns though other people's lives. An opportunity to observe, share and learn about life through a parallel universe, gaining experiences and taking risks that are not available to us in our 'normal' life.

Stories are the oldest form of teaching. whether they be folk histories, sagas or fairy tales they are a means of communicating and handing down lessons about morality, ethics and risk.

Metaphors communicate with the subconscious at a depth and intensity that straightforward teaching cannot match.

It is said that when computers are eventually able to think like human beings they will answer a question with "Well, let me tell you a story."

Why do I write editorials about my personal experiences? It is not because I consider myself of particular interest to others, but because it enables me to illustrate lessons and relate to processes that we use in coaching.

For example, you might be interested in a follow-up to my thoughts about choosing a car. I have been wondering what car to purchase when I move into the city centre this summer. I had thought I would need a 'city car', one that is easy to park and manoeuvre through traffic.

Well, a few days later I had a meeting in Bristol - about 100 miles down the motorway. I realised as I came out of my meeting and saw my current vehicle parked in the visitors' car park that I have got it all wrong. I had focused on my identity as a city dweller and on the city environment. Actually, I realised, moving into the city centre will mean that I no longer have to drive into the city centre or to park there. I would already be there and would generally walk between meetings, or occasionally take a bus or cab.

As a city centre dweller, I will actually need a long distance car - I had placed too much emphasis on identity and considered the wrong environment. Had I had someone to coach me through the thought process I hope they would have got me to check these things.

PS: I hope you will watch the video below - live message from me, Richard Winfield, instead of just a photograph! This is streaming video and there is no download and no virus risk. However, it needs Internet Explorer. Otherwise, click here

USEFUL LINKS