3.1.1 Situational Mindsets Indicator® Report (SMI ®)

Purpose 

The Situational Mindsets Indicator® Report (SMI®) helps develop critical thinking in test takers by helping them think through how to effectively manage competing and changing demands. According to its creator, the goals of the SMI® are to (Enterprise Management, n.d.):

“Boost thinking effectiveness when issues are complex, precedent setting or ambiguous.

Mental agility captures new opportunities, handles new risks and increases innovation.

Assessing reality and making sharp decisions enables leaders to do the right things

Align thinking to leverage the organization life cycle to increase effectiveness.

Team collaboration and performance improves with aligned thinking.

Productively resolve conflict by focusing on objective reality and goals”.

The results-oriented instrument leverages six mindsets (inventing, catalyzing, developing, performing, protecting, and challenging) to elicit sound decision-making, smart goal-setting, and effective implementation planning.

The SMI® has been used across various sectors, including business, education, healthcare, government, and nonprofit organizations. Its use extends to any group or team where leadership evaluation is necessary. Organizations use the SMI® instrument to understand leadership effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and develop tailored leadership development programs.

Description 

The instrument was developed by Mary Lippitt, a Professor at the University of South Florida. The SMI ® instrument includes scenarios in which test takers need to make decisions or take actions based on different mindsets. For example, for the catalyzing mindset, the test taker might be asked to think about what would build customer loyalty or how their company might increase commitment to customers.

No validity or reliability data is available. However, it is common for instruments like the SMI® to have limitations, such as a lack of generalizability of findings across different contexts, potential biases in self-assessment responses, and the need for ongoing validation studies to ensure reliability and validity.

Access 

The SMI ® is available from Enterprise Management Limited (contact info@enterprisemgt.com).

Reference

Enterprise Management, Ltd. (n.d.). Situational Mindsets Indicator®. https://situationalmindsets.com/index.php?lang=en

Lippitt, M. (2019). Situational mindsets: Targeting what matters when it matters. Enterprise Management, Ltd.