Brief overview of how metaphor can help stimulate understanding of different perspectives in cultural understanding. Facilitated conversation at RMIT University's Asia Forum on August 8, 2012.

1. Metaphor use in Asia
Enhance awareness and increase
understanding through metaphor
conversations
Arthur Shelley
RMIT Asia Forum
August 8, 2012
© Arthur Shelley 2012 under Creative Commons License. Available for public use provided
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2. Metaphor Definitions and Examples
“A figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to
something to which it is not literally applicable in order to
suggest a resemblance.”
“A mighty fortress is our God.”
“Something used, or regarded as being used, to represent
something else; emblem; symbol.”
Dictionary.com
“Time is money” or “Argument is war” Lakoff and Johnston (1980)
“The Art of War” http://www.military-quotes.com/Sun-Tzu.htm
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3. Metaphor structure and purpose
Tenor Vehicle
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances”
William Shakespeare, in As You Like It
Metaphor is an analogy to use something familiar (the Vehicle)
to develop understanding of something less familiar (the Tenor)
Metaphor is a figure of speech to aid knowledge transfer and learning
through simplification and comparison.
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4. Stories and Metaphor
are embedded into our cultures
Christianity and the Bible Chinese Cultural Teachings & Zodiac
Arabic culture, Koran, Bedouin culture…
Australian Aboriginal culture & metaphoric creation dance
Jewish Talmud & Midrash
Hindu Panchatantra stories Buddhist Jataka Tales
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5. Zoo Leadership Styles
Lion
Aggressive
Command and Control
Territorial
Charismatic or ego-driven
 Leads by fear
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6. Zoo Leadership Styles
Eagle
Inspirational
Above the mire
Great long range vision
Rapid action on opportunities
Great instinct
Strategic
 Leads strategically with vision
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7. Choose your animal appropriately
Behaviour is YOUR choice
The more versatile you can be and the better you understand and relate
to others, the more successful you will be.
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8. However…
Article addressing the effectiveness of metaphors that bridge the gap
between a known concept and one that is new to the learner, found that
students from the majority culture and those for whom English is a
second language can misunderstand metaphors.
To communicate clearly pay special attention to the use of metaphors.
One challenge to the nurse is effective communication, as the client
may not yet have acquired the ability to understand common
metaphors.
The student who has been educated to be sensitive to these concerns
will provide better care for these clients.
Marilyn L. Weitzel, Effects of Metaphors for Asian and Majority-Culture Students. Home
Health Care Management Practice December 2004 vol. 17 no. 1 14-21
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9. Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions
http://geert-hofstede.com/national-culture.html
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10. Behavioural DNA perspectives
Positive contribution Negative contribution
Asian
Police?
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11. Cultural perceptions…
“East” “West”
“Ultimate being” Evil icon to be slain
Can mean “Death” Usually Knowledge
Reliability, Stupidity,
persistence stubborn
Highlight differences in cultural perceptions to increase richness of interactions
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12. Positively influencing outcomes
through metaphor based interactions
Metaphoric reflective conversations
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13. Reflective Impact Diary
© Arthur Shelley 2009 under Creative Commons License. Available for public use provided
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14. Conclusions
• Metaphor is a powerful tool to stimulate
conversations about behaviour and behavioural
differences and interactions
• Reflective conversations stimulated using
animals metaphor can work well across cultures
PROVIDED the facilitator is sensitive to different
cultural perceptions and interpretations
• Discussing such differences enhances the
richness of the interaction and the development
of mutual understanding across participants
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source is acknowledged. Permission of the author required for commercial use.

15. Contact
Arthur Shelley
arthur@organizationalzoo.com
FREE behavioural profile
www.organizationalzoo.com/profiler
Insights into behaviours
www.organizationalzoo.com/blog
www.organizationalzoo.com/ZooTube
Consulting and mentoring
www.intelligentanswers.com.au
Ph +61 413 047 408
@Metaphorage
#OrgZoo
© Arthur Shelley 2011 under Creative Commons License. Available for public use provided
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source is acknowledged. Permission of the author required for commercial use.