IMO analogies and metaphors can absolutely help build trust across groups which may not yet really understand each other's domains. They can be highly successf

IMO analogies and metaphors can absolutely help build trust across groups which may not yet really understand each other's domains. They can be highly successful, but from your comment it sounds like you've dealt with managers or clients who simply want to "win the conversation". In that case I can understand why you'd prefer to take care of the necessary remediation more covertly. Doesn't mean others won't benefit from apt metaphors though - bad collaboration partners sounds the issue here, not figurative techniques per se.