Introduction to metaphor
Previously, you’ll have seen a typical scenario which plays out in homes and workplaces every day.
Here we highlight a simple way of looking at our differences and appreciating them through the lens of nature.
Nature provides wonderful metaphors to help us describe and think about similarities and differences.
“Metaphors aren’t true but they’re useful”
Seth Godin
TetraMap uses the four Elements of nature as a simple way to help us understand aspects of human nature.
Play with the model below and at the same time think about the different people in your life. Who do you recognise?
Activity: Mouse over and click each of the triangles and see what they reveal about the scene.
Just as this describes the scene so can it be used to describe the differences in people.
For Chris, his focus is on the result of the game and is single-minded about being on time for practice. He has firm goals and is immovable in his belief that lateness derives from disorganisation – and that is always in our control.
Chris’s preference is likely to be Earth.
For Jana, her focus is on caring for others and taking time to listen, calming anxieties and generally going with the flow.
She is calm and reflective and believes that people are more important than deadlines.
Jana’s preference is likely to be Water.
They have three children. Sam loves art. She’s a bright energetic child who is always creating stories, objects and paintings. She’s doesn’t mind plans changing because she sees another new adventure will come out of it.
Sam’s preference is likely to be high in Fire.
Jack is into computers. He loves learning to programme and enjoys fixing complex problems. He has a plan for his lessons and homework that give his clarity on how he manages his daily schedule. When studying at home, he gets frustrated when his siblings interrupt him.
Jack’s preference is likely to be high in Air.
With some practice it can be easy to spot these things. Give it a try with your friends and family. Make some notes on their preferences.
The points we have highlighted indicate our natural preferences and the way we prefer to behave and communicate. The question is – how can you turn an irritation into an insight?
Remember: no one is just one Element –
we ALL have aspects of ALL the Elements.
