This article investigates the metaphorical duality that exists when school subject departments are concurrently conceptualized as both communities and organizations. Employing a narrative methodology, we use the metaphorical duality to examine the manner in which science teachers negotiate two key aspects of their work; professional learning and teacher leadership. The reified meanings that the department (as community) negotiates are the foundations for the actions that the department (as organization) takes. It is this sense of understanding and commitment to the department as community that provides the department as organization with its political power within a school.