Mental Models Make You Memorable

Author

Girvin
June 16, 2025

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A few months ago, I shared a simple framework at a leadership meeting.

Three words: Probe, Synthesize, Commit.

I used it to explain how effective leaders process complex situations differently than everyone else.

Probe beneath surface assumptions. Synthesize seemingly contradictory information. Commit decisively despite uncertainty.

That was it.

Fast forward to today, people still reference it. I get folks telling me they’ve used it or shared it, and some have asked where I learned it.

Here's the thing: I made it up on the spot.

But it stuck because it gave people a mental model - a simple way to organize their thinking about something complex.

❝

 You've got to have mental models in your head. If the facts don't hang together on a latticework of theory, you don't have them in a usable form.

Charlie Munger

Sound powerful?

It is.

Because people don't remember your facts, they remember your frameworks.

Give someone statistics, and they'll forget them by tomorrow.

Give someone a mental model, and they'll use it for years.

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Your frameworks become the shorthand people use to understand and discuss important concepts.

But creating that shorthand doesn't happen by accident.

You need a way to organize your thinking so others can easily remember and use it.

Here's a process that works:

Creating Mental Models That Stick (The FRAME Method):

F - Find the Pattern
R - Reduce to Essentials
A - Anchor with Stories
M - Make it Memorable
E - Extend the Application

Let’s get it.

F - Find the Pattern

Models emerge from recurring observations

Look for what repeats across situations:

  • What common elements appear in successful outcomes?

  • What mistakes happen predictably in this domain?

  • What stages or phases do complex processes typically follow?

  • What tensions or tradeoffs show up consistently?

What fails: "Every situation is unique and complex."

What works: "I've noticed three patterns that distinguish high-performing teams from struggling ones."

R - Reduce to Essentials

Simplicity creates usability

Distill to the core components:

  • What are the 3-5 most important elements?

  • What can you eliminate without losing the insight?

  • How can you express this in the fewest words possible?

  • What's the simplest structure that captures the key relationships?

What fails: "There are seventeen factors that contribute to this outcome."

What works: "Success comes down to three things: clarity, consistency, and courage."

A - Anchor with Stories

Examples make abstractions concrete

Illustrate with compelling narratives:

  • What real situation demonstrates this model in action?

  • When has this framework helped someone solve a problem?

  • What failure story shows what happens when these elements are missing?

  • How does this play out in different contexts people recognize?

What fails: "This framework applies to many situations."

What works: "Here's how this played out when Netflix had to pivot its entire business model."

M - Make it Memorable

Sticky frameworks get shared

Design for recall and transmission:

  • Does it use alliteration, rhyme, or rhythm?

  • Can people remember it without writing it down?

  • Is there a visual element that reinforces the concept?

  • Does the structure itself support memory?

What fails: "The Comprehensive Leadership Effectiveness Assessment Protocol."

What works: "The 3 C's of Crisis Leadership: Communicate, Coordinate, Calm."

E - Extend the Application

Versatile models build your reputation

Show how it applies broadly:

  • What other domains can benefit from this thinking?

  • How does this scale from individual to team to organization?

  • What adjacent problems does this framework illuminate?

  • Where else might people apply this mental model?

What fails: "This only works in very specific circumstances."

What works: "Whether you're managing a team, a project, or a career transition, these same principles apply."

❝

When you turn your insights into frameworks, you don't just share what you know - you become how others think about what matters.

Chicago Fire GIF by NBC

Gif by nbc on Giphy

LEVEL UP
An AI Prompt for Creating Mental Models

Save this prompt for when you want to turn insights into frameworks:

I've noticed a pattern in [describe the domain/area] where [describe what you observe].

Help me turn this insight into a memorable mental model using the FRAME method:

F - What's the core pattern I've identified? What makes this repeatable?
R - How can I reduce this to 3-5 essential elements or steps?
A - What story or example would make this concrete and relatable?
M - What structure or language would make this easy to remember and share?
E - Where else could people apply this framework beyond the original context?

Give me 3 different ways to name this model, and suggest how to present it in one compelling sentence.

POLL

Which of these memorability mistakes limits your influence most often?

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The Bottom Line

People don't just remember information; they remember how you help them understand it.

By transforming your expertise into frameworks, you convert knowledge into lasting influence.

Thanks for reading. Be easy!
Girvin

P.S. What's one pattern you've noticed that you could turn into a memorable framework? What would you call it? Comment below. 👇

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