Read the original at Lenny’s Newsletter ↗lennysnewsletter.com · subscriber post
By Lenny Rachitsky · lennysnewsletter.com · @lennysan on X · YouTube · LinkedIn
Molly Graham introduces the Waterline Model, a diagnostic for underperforming teams that checks four levels in order: structure, dynamics, interpersonal, and individual. Her core argument is that many team problems are structural rather than caused by people, so leaders should snorkel before they scuba and fix shared systems before judging individuals.
Subscriber post — summary only01Key takeaways
- Many apparent people problems are actually structural, such as unclear goals, roles, or success metrics.
- Check structure first, then dynamics, before diagnosing interpersonal conflict or individual performance.
- Teams behave rationally within their environment; decision reversals and second-guessing teach people to slow down.
- Fix dynamics by consistently changing how leaders respond to decisions, disagreement, and mistakes, not just by adding process.
- Once the system is sound, make clear decisions about individuals: coach, change the role, or exit cleanly.
“blaming people for problems that are actually structural is one of the biggest leadership traps there is”Molly Graham · Lenny’s Newsletter
“snorkel before you scuba”Molly Graham · Lenny’s Newsletter
02Frameworks mentioned
Summary and takeaways written by PM Atlas; quotes are short excerpts. © the original author.