Life lessons from factory floors & P.T.

I really, really enjoy that moment when I've landed on the "real" problem.

Here's a simple example.

I have an AMAZING physical therapist.

And I love it when I bring her a complaint -- for instance, knee pain or...sorry if this is TMI, but I know some of you will get it...peeing when I run.

And she asks me a few questions, has me a try a few things...and then tells me what we really need to work on is ... in my low back or my breathing or some such thing.

It's not that the knee pain or the peeing aren't actually a problem, it's that the root cause isn't obvious. And she has specialized insights about the inner workings of our bodies so that she can trace back to that illusive root cause.

I feel so much peace when I sense I've found a root cause.

In the corporate world, I used to joke (& groan) when a big new strategy was launched that was tackling surface problems but ignoring root cause.

One of my mentors called this, "rearranging the deck chairs."

You might feel temporarily better but you haven't changed much.

Toyota used to have a rule that whenever there was a breakdown on the line, managers needed to ask the simple question “why?” 5 times to find the root cause before they could fix the issue.

But think too about the kind of curiosity & care that is implied in the practice of slowing down to reflect on why the problem occurred?

It invites thoughtful observation & substance over speed.

I feel so much more committed to the solution when I sense I've found a root cause.

I find this same basic approach works wonders with the problems my clients have too.

You can try it yourself.

Write out a problem you are having right now.

Ask - with kind curiosity - some version of "WHY" and jot down your answers.

Try these variations if you need some help:

• Why do you think that is a problem?

• Why do you want that to change?

• Why do not like that?

• Why do you/did you do that?

Now of course, there are ways that "why" can get you stuck in the past - so remember you are asking this 4 or 5 times to discover a helpful root cause.

You'll know you found it when you feel a bit more peace & commitment to change.

Give this a try and let me know how it goes!

Much love,

Marijke Ocean

P.S. After hundreds (thousands?) of conversations like these, I've got lots of experience mining for the root cause. Contact me if you want to talk yours through!

P.P.S. Need a physical therapist? elizabeth@in-balance-pt.com

P.P.P.S. Need a Toyota? Just kidding...I cannot help you with this... 😂