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An Appreciation of Metaphors in Management Consulting from the Conceptual Lens of Holistic Flexibility

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  • Rajneesh Chowdhury

Abstract

Metaphors are popular in human interaction as a means to make relevant associations, convey complex ideas, and even dramatize reality or introduce humour in conversations. Metaphors, if leveraged effectively, can be a powerful tool for management consultants in their client engagement process. Chosen with a sensitive and empathetic rationale, metaphors can not only help fathom highly complex problem situations, they can also bring in an element of light‐heartedness in consulting conversations that may otherwise be stale and unexciting. Metaphorical associations can enable informality, trust, and long‐term engagement between consultants and their clients. This paper presents a first person narrative of how the author has used metaphors as a tool for creative consulting. A reflection is provided on how the experiences narrated in this paper align with the conceptual lens of holistic flexibility introduced by Rajneesh Chowdhury in his latest book on systems thinking for management consultants in 2019.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajneesh Chowdhury, 2021. "An Appreciation of Metaphors in Management Consulting from the Conceptual Lens of Holistic Flexibility," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(1), pages 137-157, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:srbeha:v:38:y:2021:i:1:p:137-157
    DOI: 10.1002/sres.2670
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lahti, Ryan K. & Beyerlein, Michael M., 2000. "Knowledge transfer and management consulting: A look at "The firm"," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 43(1), pages 65-74.
    2. Jonathan Rosenhead, 1996. "What's the Problem? An Introduction to Problem Structuring Methods," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 26(6), pages 117-131, December.
    3. Maula, Marjatte & Poulfelt, Flemming, 2000. "Knowledge Transfer, Consulting Modes and Learning Do the Codes of Conduct and Ethics Reflect Reality in Management Consulting?," Working Papers 9/2000, Copenhagen Business School, Department of Management, Politics & Philosophy.
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    1. Sepehr Ghazinoory & Parvaneh Aghaei, 2024. "Metaphor research as a research strategy in social sciences and humanities," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 227-248, February.

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