Most interventions to help a struggling leader fail because their focus is too narrow.

A direct report's struggle to lead their own team is rarely just personal — it's driven by a mix of what they bring to the role, how they themselves are being led, and organizational factors — unwritten rules, politics, or pressure from above — that can condition how they're able to lead.

For example, a direct report who is naturally cautious under uncertainty may become paralyzed by indecision when their own manager also fails to give clear direction — two things compounding each other, not one alone.

Without a clear diagnosis that takes into account the full picture, any feedback or solutions to address the leadership gap treat a symptom, not the cause — eroding their confidence, wasting the investment in their development, and leaving the problem unsolved.

Delivers a definitive roadmap to resolution

Uncovers the root causes driving the leadership gap, and provides a precise, actionable map to close it.

Guarantees confidentiality

Conducts private, one-on-one conversations with your direct report's own team. Individual responses are combined and never attributed, protecting the candor the diagnosis depends on. Your own interview and your direct report's interview are handled differently, since the diagnosis is specifically about how the two of you work together — your accounts aren't anonymized from each other. Neither of you, though, receives a transcript or direct quotes of what the other said — only my analysis.

Leverages external objectivity


Brings an independent, objective perspective that doesn't evaluate either of your abilities. It's focused solely on identifying the conditions that explain the leadership behaviors you're seeing. Findings are measured against a standard of what executing leadership actually requires — regardless of anyone's leadership style. Where your direct report is getting results through an approach that simply differs from your own, the diagnostic will say so.

Uncovers whether cultural practices, unspoken rules, or power dynamics, are hampering the direct report's ability to discharge some of their leadership tasks.

• • The challenge is with one specific direct report, not a pattern across your whole team

  • They have the experience and capability the role requires, but their own team still isn't performing the way it should

  • You can see the symptoms, but the root cause is unclear

  • You are the direct manager accountable for this working relationship

  • You're open to the possibility that your own leadership style or approach with this direct report contributes to the gap

  • Their team has at least three direct reports of their own, and the timing is right to invest in a thorough diagnosis

The Leadership Line Diagnostic is a fixed-scope, high-impact engagement with no hidden fees or surprise billable hours.

Engagements are priced around the minimum interview floor required to protect confidentiality. The base engagement — intake, interviews with you and your direct report, and three interviews with their own direct reports — is $10,000. Each additional interview with their direct reports beyond three is $1,500. Payment is split 50/50 at engagement start and report delivery.

Schedule a brief introductory call to discuss your situation