Metaphoric Questioning

I love using metaphoric questioning and Amy Springhall opened with a cracker at the Harris Real Estate Pty Ltd International Women’s Day Event last week.

“If you and your career were a real estate listing, what would the description say?”

What would you say?

My response – A Renovators Delight!

There is a lot of life in those walls and I help people, teams and organisations when things are falling apart and they need to rebuild. Or the way of doing things needs something different.

But what is even better is when we maintain the property, ensure that the wellbeing foundations are strong and things are repaired when damaged. That will make the spruce up a lot easier.

I could go on with multiple symbolic ways to describe what I do, but most of all this question highlights the power of using metaphor – the language of creative inquiry.

It is so much more interesting and engaging than a please introduce yourself and tell me all about your career – which is a little awkward and the nerves kick in while working out what to say. I loved hearing the other panellists listings too.

Some metaphoric questions (and activities) that I have used during facilitation, in workshops and talks have been for

Introductions (like Amy did) – if you were a (industry specific item) what would you be?

Team Culture – if you could describe the organisation as an event or scene what would it be – what’s happening there?

Check ins – have pictures or postcards – which picture describes how you are right now (can adapt question to summarising content, learnings etc)

Consolidate learning – what movement, sound or gesture sums this up for you, then explore with other participants, mirror and synchronise


I love this way of working as it is fun, playful, equalises and brings everyone into the room to engage safely.

Let me know if you want some ideas on how to engage during your facilitation, training or with your team. If your organisation could be described as a train off its tracks, a garden that is dying or a house on fire – as I have had in the past – let’s work on that renovation.

Thanks Amy Springhall, Harris Real Estate Pty Ltd, Mia Handshin, Karen Eley and Dr Anna Finizio for an engaging conversation and wonderful afternoon. The Visibility Project