Mental Models

Read the following in  The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization :

· Chapter 9, “Mental Models.” You’ll learn about the discipline of reflection and inquiry that is focused on developing awareness of attitudes and perceptions, your own and those of others, in the organization. As you read, consider how working with mental models can also help you clearly define current organizational reality. Since most mental models are often hidden from view, one of the critical contributions for a leader of a learning organization is to develop the collaborative capacity to talk safely and productively about different attitudes with minimal defensive barriers.

For this question, you will write a paper (minimum of 300 words) in which you describe the concept of mental models to a chosen audience (a person or organizational group on the concept of mental models) and explain how the concept can create opportunities for improvement within the organization. At the end of the paper you will provide several questions for your audience to think about to promote greater understanding of how the five disciplines inter-relate and may be applied to reveal dynamics within the organization.

Preparation

· Review Chapter 9, “Mental Models,” in Senge’s  The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization . Consider carefully the following concepts that are raised in the chapter:

. Implicit mental models.

. Left-hand column technique.

. Balancing inquiry and advocacy.

. Espoused theory versus theory in use.

. Mental models limited to representation of events and mental models that encompass patterns of events.

· Identify your intended audience (group or individual).

Instructions

Write a 300-word (minimum) addressed to a particular person/group in which you:

· Identify and briefly describe your target audience (individual or group).

· Provide context to your audience by, in your own words, writing a brief description of mental models.

. What are mental models?

. How do mental models make possible personal and organizational learning?

. How do the principles of personal mastery and mental models interact to strengthen and reinforce one another?

. How do mental models provide a foundation for engaging in or strengthening systems thinking?

· Identify and briefly define the elements of mental models that directly pertain to your chosen group or individual.

· Explain to your audience how mental models can create opportunities for improvement within the organization.

. Your explanation should be responsive to the perspectives of your audience.

. Provide specific support for your statements and assertions as you draw connections between mental models and your examples.

. Your examples should include specific details that promote greater understanding of the aspects of mental models that you want to convey to your audience.

· At the end of your paper include at least 3 questions about mental models as they relate to your audience that, when thoughtfully considered, might promote continuous improvement and organizational learning.

In your writing, try to make specific connections between the concept(s) in The Fifth Discipline and organizational details. Avoid writing in vague generalizations that do little to demonstrate a grasp of the concept or enlighten your audience.