A key component of the learning organization is a widespread understanding of the concept of mental models and of how they affect our interpersonal communication and understanding. This brief presentation is intended to introduce mental models. It describes how they develop and what it means to LEARN at the level of our mental maps.

1. Dr. Greg Waddell
www.LeadStrategic.com
Twitter: @DrGregWaddell

2. Look at the words in the box.
Slumber Pillow
Dream Night
Bed Blanket
Quiet Pajamas
Nap Snooze

3. Now write down on a piece of paper as many of the
words in the box that you can remember.

4. Our minds tend to categorize things
and then squeeze what we see into our
categories.

6. Triangles

7. Triangles

9. Circles

10. Circles

11. Our categories
begin to organize
themselves into
systems.

12. Our categories
begin to organize
themselves into
systems.

13. Our systems begin to organize
themselves into ideologies.

17. Goodness

18. Goodness
Wealth

19. Goodness How these two
are connected
Wealth

20. Learning at the level of our mental
models is categorically different from
everyday learning.

22. Problem

23. Problem
Cause

24. Solution Problem
Cause

25. Implement
Solution Problem
Cause

26. Implement
Solution Problem
Cause

27. Implement
Solution Problem
Cause Assumptions

28. Implement
Solution Problem Priorities
Cause Assumptions

29. Implement Categories
Solution Problem Priorities
Cause Assumptions

31. • Teach your staff to
recognize their own
mental maps.

32. • Teach your staff to
recognize their own
mental maps.
• Develop a culture of
psychological safety
where people feel
free to expose their
mental maps.

33. • Teach your staff to
recognize their own
mental maps.
• Develop a culture of
psychological safety
where people feel
free to expose their
mental maps.
• As a leader, be willing
to set the example.

34. “Get your model out there where it can be
shot at. Invite others to challenge your
assumptions and add their own. Instead of
becoming a champion for one possible
explanation or hypothesis or model, collect as
many as possible.”
Donella Meadows, "Dancing With Systems: What to Do When Systems Resist
Change," 2001; available from http://www.wholeearthmag.com/ArticleBin/447.html

35. Sources
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institutions. Washington University: Center for the Study of Political Economy. Accessed
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