What is your Leadership Metaphor? (Assessment) The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a metaphor as "a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another...". Using what you have learned so far about leadership think of a metaphor for your own personal leadership style and then determine the word or phrase that could best describe your style. Include the reasons why you selected this metaphor and what are the main messages this metaphor sends to potential followers regarding what they should expect of your leadership.