RE: Metaphor and Mental Models

Jim Campbell (hum_mgr03@hg.uleth.ca)
Tue, 03 Jan 1995 09:44:09 MST

More response to the war metaphor. The basis of competition.

If the motivation and competitive edge is through winning by defeating the
opponent; if it is the use of control, direction, and authority within a
patriarchial system; if fear of error and waiting throungh competition for the
mistakes to occur overtaking the opponent through their own loss: then the
metaphor of war is wrong. The traditional heart of the patriarchial system is
fear and intimidation, not growth and learning. Any Good coach knows that
success comes when everyone succeeds, some will always succeed more than others
the defeat of the less successful is very costly to our way of life.

The Last Emperor is dead, the pyramid is dying. The need now is for a new
metaphor a new model no more war based metaphors they injure too many
unnecessarily. Collaborative group responses that require the valuing and
inclusion of everyone is in opposition to the war-competion that has created a
comfort with the distruction of our environment. Walt Kelly was right and
referred to the war metaphor when he titled one of his last books: "We have met
the Enemy and He is Us". And I add a poem of his to help with the rethinking of
collaboratively-competitive learning-organizations.

One Way Street - Walt Kelly 1966

Now, really, how arch
Can you be when you march
With a spear;
With a sword?
You belong

To a curious team,
You're in the extreme,
Maybe left,
Maybe right,
Maybe wrong.

Happy New Year!!!

Jim Campbell Email: Campbell@HG.ULeth.CA
Phone: (403) 329-2753 Fax: (403) 329-2685
Training & Development, Human Resources
University of Lethbridge
4401 University Dr., Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1K 3M4

ENTP ----------------- Easy to get to know, Hard to understand!!!