Part I — Foundations · 01

Poetry

Before the argument, a defence of language. Poetry is treated here as an instrument of precision rather than decoration: some conditions can only be described in language that does not close.

Second, revised edition · CURRENT Companion

The question it turns on

What can be said in poetry that management language cannot hold?

Concepts in this chapter

  • Language as instrument
  • Ambiguity
  • Attention

Models & concepts →

Where the argument is contested

Organisations reward clarity, and poetic language can be used to avoid commitment. The chapter distinguishes between language that keeps a question open and language that hides from it.

To sit with

  • Where has premature precision cost your organisation accuracy?
  • Which words in your leadership vocabulary are metaphors you no longer notice?