The recent "In the Garden" vignette brought to mind another possible video
for inclusion in the strategy course--"Being There" starring Peter Sellers
as Chance the Gardener. Chance has lived in isolation all is life and is
actually quite dimwitted, but, upon emerging from his isolation, is taken
as a man of great wisdom and insight by several influential people in
Washington society--and ultimately becomes a friend and advisor to the
President by repeating simple gardening phrases that are interpreted as
deeply meaningful metaphor by those around him. The scene where he appears
on a "Tonight Show" type talk show is a wonderful example of how meaning is
created by an audience that may differ significantly from what was
intended. It is also a great parody of the use of metaphor in organization-
speak, and a good reminder not to take pundits, consultants, leaders, and
ourselves too seriously.