Molly Graham · 10 min read · Product Teams
How to debug a team that isn’t working: the Waterline Model
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Waterline Model provides a practical diagnostic framework to identify whether a team's underperformance stems from structural, dynamics, interpersonal, or individual factors. By slowing down to diagnose the root cause before acting, leaders avoid misdiagnoses, blaming people, and wasted effort, and can quickly address the real bottlenecks.
Key Takeaways
- Don't blame individuals; diagnose root causes first.
- Use the Waterline Model to identify four problem levels: structure, dynamics, interpersonal, and individual.
- Apply the framework as a practical, quick diagnostic to avoid misdiagnosis and wasted effort.
- When a team underperforms, start by identifying where to intervene rather than who to replace.
Excerpt
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