What famous soccer player Erling Haaland teaches us about ‘shared mental model’, and why it matters.
Kevin De Bruyne—an invaluable midfielder for the world-famous soccer team Manchester City—passes the ball 40 yards into an open space without looking. 22-year-old striker Erling Haaland rushes in at the right nano-second and scores another fabulous goal—breaking record after record.
Both players excel in what scientists label a ‘shared mental model’. Kevin and Erling know precisely what their team members need to achieve breakthrough performance.
Shared mental models are crucial for teams to perform. They allow people to understand the complex environment and make predictions on what information and resources are necessary to execute a winning strategy. In one study, researchers found a correlation of 0.51 between shared mental models and team performance.
Shared mental models also make it easier for team members to have relevant conversations that foster learning and innovation.
To measure the degree to which mental models are shared in your team, consider using the following items:
1. We have a shared understanding among team members about duties, work processes, and procedures relevant to perform tasks. (execution)
2. We have a shared understanding among team members about the most appropriate ways and means by which members interact and communicate with one another. (interaction)
3. We have a shared understanding among team members about members’ knowledge, skills, and abilities. (composition)
Sources:
Mathieu, J. E., Heffner, T. S., Goodwin, G. F., Salas, E., & Cannon-Bowers, J. A. (2000). The influence of shared mental models on team process and performance. Journal of applied psychology, 85(2), 273.
Van den Bossche, P., Gijselaers, W., Segers, M., Woltjer, G., & Kirschner, P. (2011). Team learning: building shared mental models. Instructional science, 39, 283-301.
Van Rensburg, J. J., Santos, C. M., de Jong, S. B., & Uitdewilligen, S. (2022). The five-factor perceived shared mental model scale: a consolidation of items across the contemporary literature. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 6189.