Chad M. Barrett

Over the last two days I've read portions of both Leading Out Loud and The New Testament. Today, while reading through the parables of Jesus, came an inspiration. Terry Pearce, author of Leading Out Loud, tells leaders to communicate using analogy and metaphor. Jesus, I noticed, communicated with parables. Aren't these three communication types similar? Let's look at the definitions.

• Analogy - a similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based.
• Metaphor - a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance.
• Parable - a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson.

I find these three communication types to be remarkably similar. All three depend on imagery unrelated to the current situation in order to communicate. All three depend on the listener to capture the meaning from the unrelated, yet similar, image and apply it in the current situation. All three can be powerful tools for a leader trying to communicate mission, vision, and values.

I enjoy finding parallels between secular teaching and the teachings of Jesus. I wonder whether Terry Pearce made the connection while writing the book?.

Reference

The definitions of analogy, metaphor, and parable are taken from dictionary.com.