Iceberg model

The Iceberg image is probably one of the best know models in personal and team development. And still it is worth to mention – and to regurarly remind it.

The Iceberg Model is a user-friendly tool that helps us understand the bigger picture. It uses the iceberg metaphor to explain how our immediate reactions (surface events) are influenced by deeper, less visible factors like patterns, structures, and beliefs.

Siegmund Freud claimed that our conscious behaviour is only the visible 10% of our psyche – similar to the tip of the iceberg. The mind is like an iceberg, it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above water. The deeper drivers of our behaviours – the other 90% – lie submerged in our subconscious or unconscious mind.

So the iceberg model, applied to teams, highlights unspoken values and beliefs that influence behavior (the underwater part). These hidden aspects can create confusion or conflict if left unaddressed. Visible team dynamics, like communication styles (the tip of the iceberg), can be misleading without considering the deeper cultural currents. By openly discussing underlying values and beliefs, teams can build trust, navigate challenges more effectively, and achieve a stronger sense of unity.

Links:

https://www.thinknpc.org/resource-hub/systems-practice-toolkit/the-iceberg-model/