We spend our weekly Level 10 Meeting™ resolving surface symptoms rather than deep systemic problems, which means the exact same issues reappear on our list a month later. How do we master the Identify step of IDS® to uncover the actual root cause of our operational friction?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Getting stuck on surface level symptoms is the most common reason why issues keep recurring week after week. To break this cycle, you must master the Identify step of the IDS® process. The biggest trap is jumping straight into solving before you have spent enough time identifying the true root cause.

When an issue is brought to the table, the person who raised it must state the problem clearly in one sentence. Do not let them give a five minute backstory. Once the issue is stated, the team must dig deeper. You do this by asking why multiple times. If the issue is that a client project was delivered late, do not just solve the communication breakdown. Ask why the communication broke down. You might discover that the account manager has too many accounts, which points to a capacity issue on your Accountability Chart.

Do not allow discussion to start until everyone agrees on the actual root cause. Once the team aligns on the real problem, the Solve phase becomes incredibly fast and straightforward. Often, the solution is a simple process change, a clarified expectation, or a new To Do.

If you find yourselves debating the same issue for three weeks in a row, you did not identify the real root cause the first time. Stop and re examine the issue. Working with a Professional EOS Implementer® can help train your leadership team to spot these hidden elephants in the room and force the healthy, uncomfortable conversations required to solve them once and for all.