Why did the chicken cross the road? The usefulness of Mental Models

Compass or GPS?

When you get into your car to drive somewhere, would you use a compass or switch on the GPS?

As a child, I had my trusty little compass, though I never used it. We did rely on large, folded paper maps when we went on holidays –easy to open but tricky to fold back into the neat little rectangle!

Over time, we have discarded outdated things like compasses, maps, and photo film that needed development. Instead, we have embraced contemporary alternatives that better align with our modern lives.

However, discarding physical objects is far easier than discarding mental models.

Mental models are specific patterns of thought that we develop to help us understand the world around us. They are a collection of beliefs and ideas that we consciously or unconsciously form based on our experiences.

Our brains create these cognitive shortcuts to enable us to quickly comprehend, interpret, and respond to the bewildering array of information and situations that confront us on a daily basis. Mental models serve a valuable purpose—they allow us to make sense of a complex world without engaging in continuous conscious and deliberate thinking.

For example, we know, without much thought, that if there is a glut of tomatoes in the market, the price is likely to go down.

Now for the age-old question: Why did the chicken cross the road?        

The CEO says “The chicken is energised by our vision for growth which requires taking some risks."

The Manager says “The client changed the requirements again and crossing the road is now part of the scope.”

HR says “The chicken is complying with our hybrid working policy to come to work 3 days a week”

Each perspective is correct in its way, yet they are unidimensional in their explanations.

Our mental models are crafted from our own limited perspectives, and this inherently restricts our ability to grasp the complexity of the world.

When we heavily rely on a few dominant mental models, we tend to explain every problem we encounter through the lens of that particular worldview. For instance, if we harbour a mental model that most people are opportunists and cannot be trusted, we may interpret a request for help from a friend as an attempt to take advantage of us.

This trap becomes especially easy to fall into when we possess intelligence or talent in a specific area. For example, individuals with deep technical skills may find it challenging to transition to managerial or customer-facing roles, as they often approach every issue solely from a technical perspective, overlooking other crucial aspects.

And this is not the only problem with mental models.

When I was just two years old, I inadvertently put my hand into a pot of boiling hot egg curry, resulting in painful blisters. This distressing experience, reinforced by authoritative figures cautioning me to avoid risky situations, instilled in me a mental model of risk aversion. For a considerable time, this model proved useful in protecting me from harm, especially when I began to live alone while pursuing higher studies.

However, in 2003, I faced a critical choice in my life. I had to decide whether to continue on the corporate fast-track with a high-paying job, or to pursue my dream of becoming an independent consultant. This decision required me to discard my mental model of risk aversion in favor of a new one: "No pain, no gain."

Just as we outgrow clothes and shoes as we age, we outgrow our mental models.

One prevalent mental model ingrained in us as children is the belief that success follows a linear trajectory. We are led to believe that if we put in effort, we will achieve good marks, progress to the next grade, and eventually succeed. However, as adults, we come to understand that success is far more nuanced and intricate and extends beyond mere linear (upward) progression. It does not adhere to a simplistic cause-and-effect relationship with effort alone. Unfortunately, many adults continue to cling to an outdated mental model of success, leaving them feeling frustrated and disillusioned.

"Scientists generally agree that no theory is 100 percent correct. Thus, the real test of knowledge is not truth, but utility." Yuval Noah Harari
        

In other words, the true measure of a mental model lies not in its absolute truth but in its practical application and relevance for me today.

Here are a few examples of mental models that may no longer serve us, with a suggestion for an alternative mental model:

1. The Hero Model: If you hold a leadership position, you may possess a mental model that depicts a 'Hero' leader—a belief that asking for help and showing vulnerability are signs of weakness. Instead, consider adopting the Shoshin mental model or the Beginner's Mindset. Embrace a state of curiosity, receptiveness, and a willingness to learn. Be comfortable with vulnerability and not having the answer to everything.
2. The Superhuman Model: If you are like me, you may have a constant need to achieve and experience some guilt when taking breaks or resting. The Superhuman mental model ties our self-worth to perpetual productivity and accomplishments, whether at work, in parenting, or managing our homes. Instead, consider embracing the 'Charger' model. Just like electronic devices require recharging and occasional shutdowns to operate optimally, so do we.

3. The Sunk Cost Fallacy: An hour into a movie, you realize you're not enjoying it, but you decide to stay anyway because you've already spent time watching it and money on buying tickets. This is an example of operating under the Sunk Cost fallacy. It causes us to continue investing time, resources, and effort into something solely due to the substantial investment we have already made. This mindset can keep us stuck in dead-end relationships, toxic jobs, and pursuits of goals that may no longer align with our true desires. Instead, shift to an Opportunity Cost Model, where you consider the cost of staying with the current choice and potentially missing out on better opportunities. Ask yourself how much more enjoyable it would be to leave the theater and have a pleasant meal at a restaurant instead.

These examples merely scratch the surface, and I encourage you to reflect upon and share a mental model that you have either discarded, or would like to discard, in the comments section.

As a starting point, cultivate awareness of your thought patterns and behaviors in various situations and identify the dominant mental models that shape your perspectives. Then, evaluate their usefulness and consider replacing them with more relevant and beneficial mental models.

In the wise words of Marshall Goldsmith, "What got you here, won't get you there."

And I couldn’t agree more!

Until next time.

Shraboni