In 1940, Franklin Roosevelt faced growing pressure. The Great Depression lingered, and across the Atlantic, Hitler’s aggression threatened Europe. Roosevelt knew the U.S. had to support Great Britain, but isolationist sentiment made it a tough sell.
At a press conference, Roosevelt used a simple analogy to diffuse skepticism:
“Suppose my neighbor’s house catches fire. If I lend him my garden hose to put it out, do I demand payment? No. I just want my hose back once the fire’s out.”
This microdose of story helped the audience see the complex and controversial Lend-Lease Act as an act of neighborly goodwill. Roosevelt, a master storyteller, understood that even small stories could take something difficult and make it simple, relatable, and powerful in connecting with others.
Lending a garden hose to explain foreign aid is a classic example of an analogy. (High school English reminder: An analogy uses a familiar concept to clarify an unfamiliar idea.) Analogies work by using an existing story to reframe something new—helping people see that lending munitions to a country in need isn't that different from lending a hose to a neighbor in need.
Others have used story microdosing (aka analogies) effectively, too:
Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, often likens entrepreneurship to “jumping off a cliff and assembling the parachute on the way down.”
Indra Nooyi (former CEO of PepsiCo) compared leading a company to conducting a symphony, with departments playing together in harmony.
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has compared their company’s approach to business as being “more than just making money—like creating a party where everyone’s invited to have a good time.”
Salesforce uses the analogy of a “customer success trail,” positioning itself as a guide helping businesses navigate challenges like a trusted hiking companion.
Analogies—small stories—can have a big impact in making complex ideas clear and relatable.
Use This Story Strategy in Your Work
Why analogies work. Analogies are a form of indirect narrative—hypothetical stories that help people “try on” new ideas. Unlike real-life (direct) stories, indirect narratives, like fables and parables, create a simple mental framework that shifts perspectives and makes concepts stick.
When to use an analogy: Use it when you need to (1) simplify complex ideas, (2) introduce new or challenging concepts, or (3) shift perspectives by making the unfamiliar more relatable.
How to use an analogy: Remember, an analogy clarifies the unfamiliar by linking it to something familiar. Start by asking: What’s something familiar that’s like my idea? Then, explain how they work similarly in a simple “X is like Y” structure. Finally, like a good marketer, test it to ensure it helps your audience grasp the concept.
Remember, practicing a new skill like using analogies is like learning to ride a bike. At first, you wobble, but with time, it becomes second nature. (See what I did there?)
Now, go tell small stories that make a big impact.
