Finding the Root Cause of Organisational Issues — How to Stop Treating Symptoms and Start Fixing Problems

Published On - December 21, 2021

Ted Bonel 2. STRATEGY

When something goes wrong in a business, most teams react fast.
They patch the problem, calm the chaos, and move on.

But then it happens again.
And again.

The truth? Most organisations spend more time treating symptoms than solving root causes.

As the classic definition from Root Cause Analysis puts it:

“The root cause is the most basic reason for an undesirable condition or problem which, if eliminated or corrected, would have prevented it from occurring.”

Understanding why something happens is the single most important leadership skill you can build — because without it, you’re stuck firefighting instead of improving.

Symptoms vs. Root Cause

Think of your business like a garden.
If you only trim the weeds you can see, they’ll grow back.
If you pull them out by the roots, they don’t.

The same applies to performance breakdowns, communication failures, or execution issues.
Working on symptoms keeps you busy.
Working on root causes keeps you growing.

 

6 Steps to Finding the Root Cause of a Problem

Here’s a practical roadmap to move from surface-level fixes to lasting solutions.

  1. Identify and Describe the Problem

Before you can solve anything, name it clearly.
What exactly is happening? When did it start?
Too often, problems linger because no one defines them precisely — or raises them early.

  1. Collect the Data

Talk to employees, customers, and stakeholders.
Observe patterns and measure the impact.
How often does it happen? Who does it affect? What’s the cost?

  1. Identify Possible Causes

Now comes the detective work.
Use tools like the Fishbone Diagram, The 5 Whys, or Scatter Diagrams.
At this stage, don’t jump to solutions — focus purely on mapping potential causes.

  1. Identify Solutions

Once you see the patterns, define what must change to prevent recurrence.
Decide who will lead the fix, who will monitor progress, and how success will be measured.

  1. Implement the Change

Execution is where most good intentions die.
Document new processes, train your people, and communicate clearly.

  1. Observe and Refine

Follow through.
Check if the problem truly disappeared — or simply morphed into a new form.
Continuous feedback keeps improvement alive.

 

The Leadership Trap: Deflection and the Blame Game

When things go wrong, it’s tempting to look outward — to blame the system, the supplier, or the person “responsible.”

But blaming is like cutting the top off a weed.
You might look productive, but the problem stays buried.

Research shows that leaders who take ownership — even when it’s uncomfortable — learn faster, build trust, and drive higher team performance.

When teams operate in a blame culture, creativity, communication, and accountability all suffer.
When teams own mistakes, they grow stronger together.

Set the example.
Own the failures as confidently as the successes.
And turn every setback into a lesson that strengthens the organisation

 

Final Thought

Root cause thinking is the foundation of continuous improvement.
It transforms problems from crises into opportunities for learning.

Because the real threat to your business isn’t a mistake — it’s a recurring mistake no one stops to understand.

Want help developing systems that identify and solve root causes across your business?

Contact me at tedb@strategyandexecution.com.au to schedule a free 30-minute discovery meeting.

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Strategy and Execution Business Advisors and Scaling Up Coaches in Brisbane & Australia

TED BONEL, SCALING UP PRACTITIONER – STRATEGY & EXECUTION BUSINESS ADVISORS

Are you looking to scale your business and execute strategy with clarity and impact? I help CEOs and founders turn big ideas into real-world results, guiding small to mid-market companies through tailored strategic insights that drive growth.

My expertise lies in simplifying complexity – bridging high-level strategic frameworks with the practical realities of running a business. Unlike many consultants who focus solely on theory or execution, I specialise in both—translating strategy into actionable, transformative steps that deliver lasting results.

Want help developing systems that identify and solve root causes across your business?

Contact me at tedb@strategyandexecution.com.au to schedule a free 30-minute discovery meeting.

 

ABOUT STRATEGY & EXECUTION

For over 20 years, Strategy & Execution has supported leaders and organisations in developing and executing winning strategies. We provide expert facilitation, executive education, and hands-on consulting to help businesses refine their strategic direction and implement it effectively.

 

Using proven methodologies like Scaling Up, E-Myth Mastery, Outthinker, and more, we challenge conventional thinking and equip organisations with the tools to accelerate growth. Our approach is dynamic—combining deep business experience with practical execution. We don’t just advise; we roll up our sleeves and work alongside you to make strategy happen.

 

If you’re preparing for a strategy development or execution challenge and are committed to creating real value, we’d love to hear from you. Learn more about our work or upcoming workshops