WATERLINE MODEL

Roger Harrison

When a group is not making progress on its tasks (the “content”), something is going on under the waterline.
Attending to the “process” and relationship issues under the surface will get the group back on track.

Snorkel before you scuba. Resolve problems with structure first. If necessary, move deeper to group dynamics,
interpersonal issues and finally individual matters. In many cases, problems can be resolved at the first two
levels. Often what at first appears to be interpersonal or individual problems has more to do with roles, goals,
decision making authority, or group norms.

Task &
content Goals
ABOVE THE WATERLINE

BELOW THE WATERLINE

Process &
relationship
Results
Leadership
Purpose

Boundaries Structure Roles

Expectations Sponsorship

Norms Safety
Agenda setting
Context Dynamics Trust

Decision making Accountability

“Personality conflicts” History

Misunderstandings Interpersonal
Mutual respect Feedback

Values & beliefs World view

Technical skills Individual

Interpersonal skills
“Internal world”

Originally adapted by Judy Heinrich, PhD and Judy Ness from

Roger Harrison, “Choosing the Depth of Organizational Intervention,”
Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 1970, 6 (2), 189-202.