Ever notice how a simple workplace disagreement can suddenly feel… personal?

That’s not just because of tone or timing—it’s because, as humans, we’re wired to make meaning.

Linguists George Lakoff and Mark Johnson argued in Metaphors We Live By that we don’t just use metaphors as a linguistic device. It's deeper than that. Our minds are hard-wired to think in metaphors.

This means that we frame our experiences through stories that help us understand who we are, what we value, and how we relate to others.

In the workplace, those metaphors shape how we see conflict. A difficult conversation might feel like a “battle,” a “minefield,” or a “tightrope walk.

These are often the default metaphors our minds fabricate in stressful situations. What's yours?

Here's this week's pro tip: once you notice how you're making sense of your world, you can change it.

What if you saw those difficult conversatiosn instead as “bridges,” “mirrors,” or “gardens that need tending” (take them as far as you want)?

One of the key leadership skills, as we see it, is becoming deft at navigating the complex layers of meanings that swirl around your organization.

It's not just semantics. Carefully tending meaning opens space for curiosity, compassion, and real connection.

Moe

P.S. What’s your go-to metaphor for conflict? Hit reply—I’d love to hear it.

P.P.S. Stay tuned for our upcoming e-book on navigating conflict.