In consulting and business, you hear a lot of talk about “issues” and “problems.” Most of them share a common theme in that they are often symptoms of a larger issue. One that too often isn’t addressed before it begins causing the organization troubles and one that is too often overlooked by consultants because they aren’t properly schooled in uncovering the issues that they are trying to solve for.
In my work as a process based consultant, I like to look for the cause of the problem and work through a process that relieves the actual cause of the problem. The root cause, not the symptom.
In looking at your own issues, organizationally or personally, are you looking for the cause of the problem, or are you just trying to resolve the symptoms?