Leadership, Team Mental Models, Team Efficacy and Intra-Team Conflict

Abstract

This study advances research in the area of leadership, team mental models, team efficacy and intra-team conflict. Specifically, we built and tested a conceptual model of the relationship between leadership behaviors, team mental models, team efficacy and conflict in 36 combat teams. Data analysis revealed that teams with well-defined transformational and transactional leadership behaviors were positively associated with increased team mental model (task work and team work) while team mental models were positively connected with team efficacy. Results also indicated that higher levels of team efficacy were directly associated with lower levels of intra-team conflict (task, relationship and process) while team efficacy successfully mediated the link between team mental models and intra-team conflict. Implications of findings are discussed.