New Ideas, Old Metaphors: The Problem with Borrowed Business Concepts

A few years ago, I set out to compile an A-to-Z roster of business metaphors. In less than two weeks, I had all 26 entries, starting with “Antarctica” (Shackleton’s Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer) and ending with “Zeus” (Gods of Management: The Changing Work of Organizations). In between came books or articles comparing business to, among other subjects, Star Trek, organized crime, The Wizard of Oz, yachting, fairy tales, and—my favorite—geese. (I largely eschewed the many, many works on war and sports. Fish in a barrel, I figured.)

The Problem with Borrowed Concepts

A few of the books were pretty good. More seemed to exist not because the author had something genuinely different to say but because he or she had found a slightly different way of saying something. And that’s the problem. We don’t need more of the same old ideas rehashed in new metaphors. What we need are truly new ideas.

Avoiding Clichés

Where are the new management ideas? Why are we still talking about “being on the same page” or “disrupting the status quo”? Why do we continue to borrow from other fields, rather than creating our own? I’m not asking for revolutionary ideas, just truly new and original ones. But it’s hard to find them.

New Ideas, New Language

New ideas require new language, and new language requires new thinking. We need to question the assumptions that underlie our business metaphors and challenge ourselves to come up with something truly original. We need to stop borrowing from other fields and start creating our own. The alternative is to continue to be stuck in a sea of clichés, with no clear direction or sense of purpose.

Conclusion

We deserve better. We deserve new ideas, not just new metaphors. We deserve to be challenged, to be inspired, and to be led by people who are willing to think outside the box and challenge our assumptions. So, let’s stop borrowing and start creating. Let’s forge our own path and create a new language for business that is truly our own.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Why do you say that new ideas require new language?

  A: Because language is closely tied to our thinking and our understanding of the world. If we’re using the same language, we’re limited to the same ways of thinking.

• Q: How can I come up with new ideas?

  A: Try to question your assumptions, challenge your thinking, and seek out new perspectives. Go outside of your comfort zone and explore new fields or subjects. And most importantly, be willing to take risks and try new things.

• Q: What’s wrong with borrowing from other fields?

  A: While borrowing can be useful, it can also lead to a lack of originality and creativity. It’s easier to borrow than to create something new, and it can stifle innovation. We need to find our own way of thinking and expressing ourselves.