GRPI
Goals, Roles, Processes, Interpersonal—diagnose team issues in order.
Explanation
Developed at General Electric, this diagnostic tool recognizes that most team dysfunction isn't about personality conflicts—it's about lack of clarity. The hierarchy matters: unclear goals create role confusion, which creates process problems, which damage relationships. Start at the top and work your way down, or you'll be treating symptoms instead of causes.
Real-World Example
Team failing. Leader does trust falls. Still fails. Why? Goals were unclear. Another team has conflict. Personality workshop? No—roles overlapped. Two people thought they owned same decision. Fix roles, conflict disappears. Start at top, work down.
How to Apply
Diagnose systematically: Goals: Does everyone know what success looks like? Same priorities? Roles: Who decides what? Any overlaps or gaps? Processes: How do we communicate? Decide? Share info? Only if all clear: Interpersonal: Trust issues? Communication styles? Fix in order. 80% of issues are in first three.