Every leader knows the feeling.
You’ve explained something three times, delegated clearly, and still—something falls through the cracks.
Revenue dips. Deadlines slip. Team accountability fades.
Frustration builds.
But here’s the thing: frustration isn’t failure. It’s feedback.
Every frustration in your business is a signal — pointing to a missing system.
And if you can trace that frustration back to its source, you can design a process that permanently removes it.
That’s the power of the E-Myth Key Frustrations Process™, a practical method for turning daily irritations into scalable systems.
Systemic Thinking — Asking “Why” Until You Find the Truth
Children are natural systemic thinkers. Their favourite word is “Why?”
That’s exactly the mindset great leaders need to adopt.
But here’s the thing: frustration isn’t failure. It’s feedback.
Every frustration in your business is a signal — pointing to a missing system.
And if you can trace that frustration back to its source, you can design a process that permanently removes it.
That’s the power of the E-Myth Key Frustrations Process™, a practical method for turning daily irritations into scalable systems.
Instead of jumping to quick fixes, step back and ask:
- Why is this happening?
- What’s really missing?
- Where in the structure — not just the people — is the failure?
Rushing to patch the problem might ease your frustration temporarily, but it rarely fixes the underlying cause.
Systemic thinking requires patience — and curiosity.
It’s how small frustrations become big breakthroughs.
The 7-Step Key Frustrations Process™
Here’s how to turn your irritation into improvement:
-
Identify the Frustration
Write it down — precisely.
Don’t mistake an attempted solution (“We need a new CRM”) for a frustration (“Our sales pipeline is
inconsistent”).
Clear statements open up possibilities; vague ones trap you in assumptions.
-
Classify the Primary Cause
Ask yourself:
- Is this frustration self-directed (me)?
- Outer-directed (someone or something else)?
- Or system-directed (a missing process)?
Reframe every problem into a system-directed question:
“What’s missing in our structure that allows this to keep happening?”
That’s where improvement begins.
-
Discover the Root Cause
Channel your inner five-year-old. Keep asking “Why?” until you uncover the real issue.
Example:
Why is revenue down? → Lack of accountability.
Why is there no accountability? → Culture doesn’t reinforce it.
Why doesn’t culture reinforce it? → No clear performance system.
The goal isn’t to assign blame — it’s to reveal what’s missing in your design.
-
Translate the Frustration into a System Solution
Now that you understand the root cause, ask:
“What kind of system would remove this frustration entirely?”
For example:
To improve accountability, create expectation agreements with measurable goals, reviewed in regular one-on-one meetings.
That’s a system, not a complaint.
-
Commit to the Fix
Ask yourself honestly:
Do I want to remove this frustration, or have I learned to live with it?
True systems thinking demands commitment.
If the answer is yes, document it, communicate it, and act.
-
Define the System Solution
Detail the structure:
- Who designs it?
- Who maintains it?
- What steps or tools are needed?
- When and how will it be reviewed?
- What training is required?
Clarity beats complexity.
-
Implement and Iterate
Start. Refine. Repeat.
No system is perfect on day one.
But once implemented, frustrations begin to fade — replaced by rhythm, trust, and progress.
The Leadership Lesson
Frustration is the early warning signal of dysfunction.
Weak leaders vent it. Strong leaders analyze it.
The best leaders systemize it.
When you replace frustration with process, your business becomes scalable — not dependent on constant firefighting or heroics.
Want help identifying and systemizing your team’s biggest frustrations?
Contact me at tedb@strategyandexecution.com.au to schedule a free 30-minute discovery meeting.
To Scale Up your business! Take our Scaling Up/Four Decisions Needs Assessment to discover how your business measures against other Scaled Up companies. We’ll contact you.
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 identifying and systemizing your team’s biggest frustrations?
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
