Stop Patching Problems. Find the Real Cause with the 5 Whys Method

Brandon Stevens

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Ever feel like you’re playing whack-a-mole with problems? You solve one, and another pops up. You fix a process, and it breaks again a month later. This happens when we treat symptoms instead of the root cause.

Most people are symptom-solvers. It’s faster and feels productive. But truly effective problem-solvers use a different approach: First Principles Thinking. It’s the process of deconstructing a problem down to its most fundamental, undeniable truths. Think of it as the difference between patching a pothole (fixing a symptom) and re-engineering the road’s foundation (fixing the root cause).

One of the simplest and most powerful tools to start thinking this way is the 5 Whys method. It’s a technique that helps you drill past the surface-level issues to uncover what’s really going on.

How the 5 Whys Builds Better Solutions

This simple exercise forces a deeper level of thinking that builds a solid foundation for real, lasting solutions.

1. Cut Through the Noise to Find the Real Problem

The core idea is to move beyond superficial assumptions. By repeatedly asking “Why?”, you follow a chain of cause-and-effect that leads you away from the noisy, obvious symptoms and toward the quiet, foundational cause.

2. Think Like a Curious Child (and Why It Works)

Children naturally try to understand the world by relentlessly asking “why?” This method replicates that powerful, unbiased curiosity. Each “Why?” challenges your current assumptions and forces you to justify your reasoning, peeling back layers of organizational habits and conventional wisdom.

3. Build Solutions That Actually Last

By identifying the fundamental truth — the first principle — at the heart of the issue, you can build your solution from a place of strength and clarity. Addressing the root cause ensures you’re not just creating another temporary fix that will fade away. You’re building a permanent, innovative solution.

Putting It Into Practice: The Case of Low Morale

Let’s look at a common business problem.

The initial problem (the symptom): A company’s employee morale is plummeting.

Now, let’s apply the 5 Whys.

1. Why is morale down?

• Because employee turnover is way up. Our best people are leaving.

2. Why is turnover up?

• Because our compensation, benefits, and career-pathing haven’t kept up with the market.

3. Why haven’t they kept up?

• Because our HR department has been underfunded and doesn’t have the tools or training to innovate.

4. Why is the HR department underfunded?

• Because leadership prioritizes short-term quarterly profits over long-term investments in our people.

5. Why does leadership have this priority?

• The Root Cause: The company’s core business strategy is focused on immediate gains, and employee experience is not considered a key driver of success.

Notice how we moved from a symptom (low morale) to a fundamental principle of the business (a short-term leadership focus). A company that only tries to fix morale with pizza parties (addressing the symptom) will never solve the problem. The real solution involves a strategic shift at the leadership level.

Your New Problem-Solving Superpower

This way of thinking isn’t just for executives. Whether you’re a manager, an employee, or even a candidate evaluating a company, understanding this concept is crucial.

The next time you face a persistent problem — in your work, your relationships, or your health — don’t just reach for the quickest fix. Grab a pen, ask “Why?” five times, and see what you uncover. It’s a simple shift, but it’s the difference between being a problem-patcher and becoming a true problem-solver.

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