🔗 How to debug a team that isn’t working: the Waterline Model

When team performance falters, blaming individuals is a common trap for leaders. Molly Graham, drawing from her extensive experience in top tech firms, introduces the Waterline Model to help diagnose underlying issues without jumping to personal conclusions.

This framework encourages leaders to start with structural problems—like unclear goals or poorly defined roles—before examining team dynamics or individual conflicts.

Graham emphasizes that many team performance issues are structural rather than personal, suggesting that clarity can often resolve misunderstandings and improve cohesion. By addressing the right problems in the right order, leaders can avoid costly missteps and foster a more effective team environment.