Metaphorical Thinking

Metaphorical thinking is a creativity technique in which you see a connection between a specific concept and random objects. This process uses random photographs to trigger metaphorical thinking.

One approach to metaphorical thinking is called Forced Connections. This technique involves brainstorming the connections between a random word and the topic being explored.

This type of thinking forces people to work outside the box.

In a recent online facilitation for People Managers on the topic "Trust" we experimented with forced connections. We worked with the photograph that received the least number of clicks in the poll.

We invited the participants to share the connections between the image selected "Gears" and the training topic "Trust".

Participants shared the following:

1.Be accurate.

2. Be predictable.

3. Do the job consistently.

4. Adjust to the other person’s needs.

5. Be genuine.

6. Have a reputation for quality.

7. Be connected.

8. Be calibrated.

Having established the context and content from the group it was much easier to take deep dive on the topic and co create action points towards the end.