Determining if shared leadership is being practiced: evaluation methodology

This article explores the use of a cognitive information-processing structure, mental models, to assess an organizational management change to shared leadership (SL). The purpose of this study was to describe the mental models of critical care nurses after the implementation of an SL management model. Scenarios based on daily clinical situations and measuring three SL concepts (empowerment, accountability, and partnership in decision making) were posed to critical care nurses in personal interviews. By using this evaluation methodology, nurse administrators can determine to what extent a new management change has been incorporated into daily nursing practice and in what areas to target further education and resources.