Mental Models for Startup Founders
Mental models for startup founders. My personal resources I use for decision making, consulting and for coaching startup founders.
Early in my Master of Business and Engineering (MBE) program, I discovered the power of mental models for problem-solving. It's challenging to tackle issues from scratch, but mental models can streamline and improve decision-making by allowing you to think from ‘first principles’ and apply ‘systems thinking.’
Mental models, like the SWOT framework, aren’t new. However, many startup founders overlook the importance of using the right models at the right stages of their company’s growth. This can lead to unknown unknowns and blind spots. For instance, the ‘Strategic Intent’ model is incredibly effective for yearly strategy and budget planning with your team—simple yet powerful.
Below are my personal resources for various mental models. At the moment 46 and growing.
Enjoy!
Updated: 1 Sep 2024.
First Principles Thinking - Mental Model
System Thinking - Mental Model
9 Mental Models for problem solving:
How to Managing Complex Change - Mental model.
Strategy Intent - The Art of Action - Mental Model
5 Mental Models to develop Thick Skin
The Art of strategy - Mental Model
Assumption Prioritization Canvas
YCombinator Mental Model
The Stacey Matrix - Mental Model
Triple Loop learning - Mental Model
The Source of understanding - Mental model
Storytelling - Mental models.
Consciousness theories - Mental Models
Food - Vitamin Cheat sheet - Mental Model
The job interview - cheat sheet - Mental Model.
Outcome, Use Case, Category Positioning - Mental Model
PMM - Metrics - Mental Models
Mission, Vision, Purpose - Mental Model
Self-awareness for leaders - Johari Window - Mental Model
10 Types of Innovation - Mental Model
Principles of Persuasion - Robert Cialdini - Mental Model
The cognitive bias codex - Mental Model
Leadership vs Management - Mental Model
The evolution of our understanding - Mental Model
To become a top performer - Mental Model
Data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom - Mental model
The skill - will matrix - Mental Model
Time management - Mental model
The Map of Productivity - Mental model
Atomic Habits - James Clear - Mental Model
Goal + Deadline + Plan + Consistent Action - Mental Model
5 Japanese Techniques - Mental model
Thinking fast & slow - Daniel Kahneman - Mental Model
Vertical Adulthood - Mental Model
Life formulas - Naval 2008 - Mental model
4 Dimensional Korn Ferry Leadership Development - Mental Model
Adizes Management Style - Mental Model
Belbin - Team Role - Mental Model
Motivation vs Ability (Facilitator Trigger) & Spark Trigger - Mental Model
The 5E - Experience Design (Emotions) Model - Kaospilot - Mental Model
How to do great work by Paul Graham - Mental Model
Product Discovery Cheat Sheet - Mental Model
Being & Doing - Creativity - Mental Model
How to have better meetings - Mental Models
The Strategy Pyramid - Mental Model
Brand the Change Canvas - Mental Model
