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Steve Donahue’s Desert Metaphors

Metaphors are words or phrases that denote one thing and are used to designate another for the purposes of comparison. To Aristotle, metaphor is “the most important thing by far.” Metaphors are powerful and persuasive teaching tools and Steve Donahue is a master at using them. Here are his “Desert Metaphors.”

Barbarians

People that invade your oasis. Examples: bosses, co – workers, kids, spouse, in - laws. In other words just about anyone! That’s why you need a wall.

Buddy

Someone who is on the same journey that you are on. A person who can support you on your journey. Someone to hang out with at the oasis. Examples: Friends, colleague, spouse, partner.

Compass

Something that guides you in any situation even when the terrain is shifting, you don’t have a destination or you are lost. Opposite of a map. Examples: Personal compass destiny, talent, what you are passionate about or good at doing, what really matters to you and gives your life meaning. Organizational compass – corporate values, slogan or mantra, a distilled essence of your “raison d’ etre” as opposed to lengthy mission statements.

Desert (Uncharted Territory)

A period of transition, a time of uncertainty. A challenge or project that keeps changing. The goal is unclear. The path to reaching your destination cannot be mapped. You don’t know how long the journey will take. Examples: Merging corporate cultures, global financial crisis, career change, divorce.

Desert v Mountain

You cannot cross a desert wearing mountain gear. You need different rules for different environments. Mountain climbers get “summit fever” and keep pushing without rest until they achieve their goal. But desert crossers have to stop at every oasis. It’s essential to know what type of terrain you are crossing. Examples:

• Acquiring your biggest competitor is a mountain, merging two cultures is a desert.
• Getting the promotion is a mountain, becoming a leader is a desert.
• Changing jobs is a mountain, changing careers is a desert.
• Having a baby is a mountain, raising a child is a desert.
• Healing a broken arm is a mountain, mending a broken heart is a desert.

Map

A plan, system or method to achieve clear and measurable goals, Maps work best in a static, more predictable environment. Examples: Construction blueprints, recipe, marketing plan, financial plan. Also, an inflexible, habitual, unconscious response, to familiar terrain. Example: Anytime your boss, parent, spouse, child does a certain thing and you automatically respond in a certain way.

Mirage

Something that misleads you. A goal that you went for that turned out differently than you expected. Examples: Corporate merger that creates conflict rather than synergy, the internet date that you were convinced was your soulmate.

Mountain

A project, challenge or situation that has a clear starting point, specific and attainable destination and clearly marked route to follow. Also, a relatively static environment. Examples: Building a backyard deck, designing a sales manual, training to run in a 10K race.

Nomad

Someone who knows how to cross a desert. A guide. What looks like uncharted territory to you, is familiar territory to them. Anyone who knows the terrain that you are trying to cross.
Examples: Coach, mentor, counselor, elder, author, speaker, colleague.

Oasis

A time or place of renewal. An experience that puts some gas back in your tank. An opportunity to take time out and reflect on your journey or reconnect with others who are the same journey that you are. Examples: Vacation, massage, going for a walk, management retreat or professional conference.

Sandstorm

Something that comes out of nowhere and makes what was already difficult terrain, almost impossible to navigate. Example: Global financial credit crisis.

Wall

A boundary or barrier that protects your oasis. An agreement or mindset that keeps your time of renewal off limits to distraction or invasion. Examples: Turning off your cell phone or Blackberry. Not checking email when your at home or on vacation.