Often a root problem causes a chain reaction of problems downstream.
If a leader tries to solve a downstream problem (maybe the one that affects their department) without getting to the root problem, the problems keep coming.
Sometimes a leader is quick to want to fix things and is fixing an affect rather than thinking about the cause.
For example, people are quitting. Rather than just hiring new people, think about WHY they are quitting. Is it a manager who is chasing them away? Were you too quick to hire and hired the wrong people in the first place? Working conditions? Pay? Lack of communication. Fix the real problem or you’ll be fixing its effect forever.
Another example – Sales are low. Rather than cutting prices, think about WHY sales are low. Wrong salespeople? No or poor sales training? Same product as everyone else? Poor marketing? Bad reputation?
Think about your problems before solving them. What is the root problem? What problem, if solved, would solve a dozen problems a day forever? What is the source problem?
(And remember, it could be you.)
Indy is grateful for Brian Lovell’s recent visit – very helpful!