The first idea often hides the real problem
That’s anchoring bias. You hear, “The issue is our software is too slow,” and suddenly every solution revolves around upgrades, patches, or speed tests.
But what if the real problem is something else entirely—poor process, unclear expectations, or a lack of training?
Anchoring tricks us into solving the first thing we hear, not the right thing.
To avoid it, ask:
What assumptions are we making based on this first explanation?
What evidence supports a different cause?
If we started from scratch, how else might we define the problem?
Problem Hunters, the most valuable people in any organisation, don’t stop at the surface. They zoom out, challenge the frame, and explore alternatives.
Because the first version of a problem is rarely the real source.
Don’t let the first idea anchor your thinking. Get curious. Ask better questions.
That’s where root causes, and the source of lasting solutions, live.