While the notion of an organization has undergone substantial evolution in recent years, most careers still play out within the context of some kind of organizational structure. Thus, the metaphors used to think and speak about an organization influence not only the organizational culture and outcomes, but also career outcomes for individuals within the organization. In a large organization, different functional, regional, or national divisions may adopt very different metaphors, as may departments or sections within these divisions.
Here is a list of metaphors we might apply to organizations:
- A society
- A family
- An ecology
- An organism
- Well-oiled clockwork
- An army
- A sausage machine
- A brain
- A computer
- Chemistry
- An interaction of energies
- A stage
- A cathedral
- A ship
- A spaceship
- A sculpture
- An anthology of stories
- An ivory tower
- A hive
- A river
- An ocean
- A democracy
- A pyramid
- A rugby team
- A chess board
- An orchestra
- A jazz band
- A tapestry
What metaphors apply to your organization or the organizations you encounter in your work life? How do these metaphors influence organizational and career outcomes? Please post a comment and tell me about your personal experience with these or any other organizational metaphors you may have used or encountered.
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