Solve the Right Problem, Not Just the Loud One
Using the Shift Matrix to Drive Clearer, Smarter Action
There’s a sneaky little leadership trap that even brilliant executives fall into: solving problems that aren’t actually the real problem.
You know the scenario:
Sales are down—so the team scrambles to run a promo. Customer churn spikes—so someone suggests replacing the customer success manager. Team morale is in the gutter—so we plan a company retreat. All of these feel like action. But they’re actually treating symptoms, not causes.
In the Shift Matrix, Formulation is where good leaders become great. It’s the moment where you slow down, zoom out, and get clear on the actual problem you’re solving—before you throw resources at a solution.
There Will Be Signs
It can sometimes amaze me how humanity misses the signs of the real problem (present company included) In the movie where all the animal is running away and the people are running toward the danger or when the spooky sound keeps coming from the basement warning the person to “get out” and instead of running and calling authorities they go into the basement with a baseball bat. In the rush to solve the problem they end up causing the very thing they want to avoid and miss the root problem in many cases.
When Reaction Misses the Reality
Ever snapped at someone over something small, only to realize you weren’t actually mad about that thing? You were tired. Or anxious. Or overwhelmed. And the thing that triggered you? Just the spark—not the fire.
Organizations do this too. They fix what’s visible instead of what’s underneath. It feels productive. But if the diagnosis is off, even the perfect plan won’t matter.
Good Leaders Fix Problems. Great Leaders Frame Them.
“A problem well stated is a problem half solved.”
—Charles Kettering
The best executives aren’t just fast—they’re precise. They pause long enough to define the real tension, not just the convenient one.
They ask questions like:
- “What are we assuming here?”
- “What does the data not tell us?”
- “What pattern are we repeating?”
- “What would happen if we did nothing?”
They use tools like root cause analysis and customer journey mapping—not to sound fancy, but to make better bets with better framing.
Make It Stick: Everyday Practices for Better Formulation
- Name the tension. If you don’t name it, your team will solve the wrong thing. Every. Time.
- Invite opposing views. Healthy friction helps surface blind spots. When everyone agrees too fast, that’s your red flag.
- Define success clearly. Ask: What does solved actually look like? How will we know we’re done?
The Bottom Line
Your job as an executive isn’t just to move fast. It’s to move smart.
Speed matters—but clarity wins. Especially when the stakes are high and the pressure is loud. Before jumping into action, ask the better question. Because if you frame it right, the solution practically writes itself.
