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Metaphors

Personal stories for use during training. Each story has multiple potential lessons — choose the moral in the moment based on what the audience needs.

5 metaphors per presenter, ~2 min each, 10 min total. Keep them short and positive.

Dustin's Stories

1

Visiting Hiroshima

Visiting Hiroshima and what it stirred up — the weight of history, resilience, rebirth from total destruction.

resilienceperspectiverebirth from destructionletting go of the pasttransformationwhat you build after everything is gone
2

Saying Thank You in Different Languages

Learning to say thank you in the local language wherever you go — the reaction it gets, the connection it creates.

rapportmeeting people where they arespeaking their languageflexibility of behaviorrespectsmall gestures create big connectionwhisper in their language
3

Jazz Vibraphone Concert in High School

Going to a jazz vibraphone concert in high school — an unexpected experience that left a mark.

being open to new experiencessensory acuityobservationappreciation for craftunexpected moments shape youpaying attention changes what you notice
4

Snowboarding — Learning and Falling

Learning to snowboard — falling constantly, getting back up, the process of building a skill from nothing.

practicepersistencefailing forwardunconscious competencethe skill feels impossible before it feels naturalgrowth requires discomfort
5

Snowboarding — Watching Others on Advanced Runs

Later, once skilled — standing at the top of an advanced run and watching others go first before dropping in. Observing before acting.

sensory acuityobservation before actionmodeling excellencecalibrationlearning from otherspreparationthe value of watching before doing
6

Kyoto Music Shop — The Telluride Photo

In Kyoto, at a music shop, telling someone you were considering moving to Kyoto. You showed a picture of Telluride and he said 'why are you moving here?' — finding what's good in what you already have.

reframingappreciating what you havegrass isn't always greenerperspective shiftcontext is everythingoutside perspective reveals blind spotsvalues — knowing what matters
7

Winning the KLBJ Small Business Contest

Winning the KLBJ small business contest — and realizing that's not the end, that's just the beginning.

the goal is not the finish linecontinuous growthwhat got you here won't get you therebeginning vs. endingtoward values — always moving toward somethingmilestones are checkpoints not destinations
8

Starting My Company — Anything to Not Work for Someone Else

Starting a company teaching computer skills, pulling network wire — doing whatever it took to not work for someone else.

values drive behaviorindependenceentrepreneurshipdoing whatever it takesaway-from motivation (away from working for others)toward motivation (toward freedom/autonomy)the hierarchy always winsflexibility of behavior
9

Selling My Company — The Deal Dies 3 Times

Selling the company — three times the deal falls apart. But you stay on the path. You're on the right path.

persistenceresilienceyou're on the right pathpatiencethe universe tests youvalues in conflictthe outcome is worth the struggle
10

Buying a Guitar in Japan — Naming It

Buying a guitar in Japan — you named it, which meant they had to check it (inspect it). The lesson: both parties have to have a desire to reach an agreement. Win/win. No basis for agreement if not.

rapportwin/winboth parties need desire to agreenegotiationintention mattersthe deal requires mutual investmentcommitment creates accountability
11

Canada Border — Stopped Twice, Dressed Up the Third Time

Getting stopped at the Canadian border twice. The third time, you dressed up more — values level 4 — and got through. Flexibility of behavior.

flexibility of behaviorrapportmatching the environmentvalues levelsadapting your approachthe person with the most flexibility controls the interactioncalibrationcontext matters
12

Toronto Hotel Upgrade — Hana Builds Rapport at Check-In

Traveling to Toronto for Gina's Master Prac training with Hana. Had to jump on a call, gave Hana the passport to check in. Got off the phone 10 minutes later — Hana was still at the counter. The clerk apologetically said they gave us the best room they could. Got to the room — it was a full suite. Two bathrooms, a living room. Looked up the receipt: booked a king room. Hana had gone up and instead of just handing him the CC and passport, she asked him questions. She built rapport.

rapportrapport creates real-world resultsconnection before transactionfree upgradesthe power of asking questionspattern interruptgenuine interest creates connectionwhisper in their languagerapport is a daily practice skillflexibility of behaviorwin/win

Metaphor Construction Guide

From the Master Prac manual — how to build and deliver effective metaphors.

Making Metaphors Work:

  1. Present State
  2. Desired State
  3. What Prevents You?
  4. What's of Interest or Value to You? What's Important?
  5. (Without client) What is this an example of? What are other examples?
  6. Metaphor: Bridge the Gap to New Resources

Construction Points:

  1. Displace referential index — client becomes a character in the story
  2. Pace the problem — story mirrors their situation
  3. Access resources within the story context
  4. Resolve the conflict — characters achieve the desired outcome
Full Guide (PDF)

Tip from Gina: Keep metaphors short and positive. Draw from stories you regularly tell, standout life events, travel experiences, meetings with remarkable people. Fact, fiction, or fantasy — just keep them positive. Leave the ending open so the audience can find their own meaning.