More Magic of Metaphor: Stories for Leaders, Influencers and Motivators

This is a worthy successor to 'The magic of metaphor'. Once again there is a fine collection of stories, old and new, woven around the author's personal story. This is juxtaposed with powerful theories of human development. You can approach the collection in any way you like - read it in linear fashion, dip in and out, read randomly. Whatever you do with this book it will reward you - personally and, if you are an educator, professionally.

In a book of "stories for leaders, influencers and motivators" I'd rather hoped for inspiring tales from the last two or three centuries of business pioneers, innovators, thinkers and leaders. Sadly there are few of those in this book. The bulk of the sixty stories here are from eastern, African and Asian tradition and, personally, I soon get irritated by the inscrutable wisdom of monks and mullahs. Added to that, the collection is tied together with the tale of a young magician and a talking flying carpet on a quest to discover the nature of leadership. While their insights are, occasionally, enlightening; on the whole I find this approach patronising. Overall then, I found the book a struggle. I wanted a book about striving for success in the modern world; I found a book about camels and ancient wisdom - and a talking flying carpet !. Not for me.

As a consultant and counsellor / therapist I cannot underestimate the value of the use metaphor in influencing, training and learning and this book is a fantastic source for that. It goes with me everywhere. Nick has collected some wonderful, thought provoking and emotional stories that will make you think, laugh, cry and I guarantee it will affect who you might work with similarly. Not only that, but the stories are cleverly woven into an overarching story supported by opportunities to develop different perspectives through the application of two wonderful world theories. Anyone that works with others in developing learning or understanding will gain from this book. It's in my top 5!

This is a fantastic source of stories to enrich communication. Nick has drawn together a wealth of wonderful stories and has connected them to recent systems for understanding the structure of communication. This means that the book is a user friendly and inspiring tool for putting together memorable presentations and training sessions.

Nick Owen brilliantly introduces Ken Wilber's insightful All Quadrants, All Levels model, which he calls the 4 Box model. He then introduces the Spiral Dynamics model, and combines the two to give us a helicopter perspective of the whole terrain for each of the stories. With each story my mind is stretched and I feel like I'm catapulted up to higher and deeper levels. The stretch makes one feel impatient for becoming a true integral leader.

More Magic of Metaphor offers insight to leaders who want to influence, motivate and bring about change. What talents and resources do I have to make a difference here? What and how can I push here? What contribution can I make?

As an educational consultant I found this concept of challenging and stretching to higher levels very exciting and thrilling. For me it means verticality, going from Horizontal to Vertical Leadership.

If you have your heart set on dynamic and vertical leadership in the classroom and school, then More Magic of Metaphor is an invaluable resource in any integral toolkit. It's a mind-stopper and a mind-blower, packed with stories that tell the importance of being the change you wish to see and be a part of.