Shift Focus and Treat the Cause

In both life and business, we’ve developed a dangerous habit—treating symptoms instead of solving
problems at their root. This isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a reality that mirrors what we see in modern medicine, where doctors once sought the origin of diseases but now too often prescribe quick fixes to mask symptoms. The consequences of this approach are all too clear: while the symptom may vanish, the real issue festers, creating a cycle of recurring problems.

But how did we get here? And how does this mindset affect us, not just in health, but in the way we manage our lives and businesses?

There was a time when medicine was about healing. Ancient healers, from Hippocrates to early modern physicians, believed in looking at the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. They sought to understand the underlying causes of illness, tracing symptoms back to their origin. In doing so, they addressed not just the disease, but the person behind it, leading to true healing.

However, with the rise of the pharmaceutical industry, there was a shift. Instead of treating the cause, many doctors began treating symptoms. Painkillers, for instance, don’t cure the root of chronic pain, they mask it. Antibiotics can kill infections, but what about strengthening the immune system? And while antidepressants can help balance brain chemistry, they don’t solve the psychological or situational factors contributing to depression.

Doctors, often influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, started focusing on quick fixes. They weren’t doing this out of malice, but the growing reliance on medication led to a critical shift: treating the symptom, not the person.

Sadly, this approach extends beyond medicine. In many businesses today, the focus is on numbers, outcomes, and bottom lines. A bad quarter? Blame the employees. A dip in sales? Cut the marketing budget. But what about looking deeper to find out why these things happened in the first place?

Like a doctor who prescribes medicine for a headache but ignores the underlying cause of stress or diet, many managers and business leaders treat their company's symptoms. They hand out quick fixes—warnings, pay cuts, or new policies—without taking the time to understand the underlying causes of inefficiency, low morale, or declining sales.

What’s missing in both medicine and management is a genuine understanding of the whole picture. Just as a good physician would look beyond the headache to examine lifestyle and health, a good manager looks beyond a bad month to understand the broader company culture, employee engagement, and market conditions.

Take the example of a company that experiences high employee turnover. The symptom is obvious: people are leaving. Many companies respond by increasing salaries or offering perks to retain employees. But often, this doesn’t work. Why? Because the real problem might be a toxic work environment, poor leadership, or lack of growth opportunities. Unless the company addresses those root issues, turnover will continue, no matter how many perks they offer.

Or consider a person struggling with anxiety. They might be prescribed medication to manage their symptoms. But what if the root cause is a stressful job or unresolved trauma? Until they address the underlying issue, the anxiety will remain a constant, lurking just beneath the surface.

Human psychology plays a significant role in this preference for treating symptoms. We are wired to seek immediate relief. When faced with discomfort, we want the pain to disappear. This is why painkillers and quick management solutions are so attractive. They give us the illusion of control and improvement, even temporarily. But long-term success—whether in health, life, or business—requires something much more profound: understanding and addressing the real cause.

The good news is that we can shift our focus. Instead of treating symptoms, we can train ourselves to look deeper and address the real issues at hand.

In life, this means being honest with ourselves. Instead of distracting ourselves or blaming external factors when we're unhappy, we need to dig into the true causes. Are we pursuing work that fulfills us? Are we nourishing our relationships? Are we addressing the deeper emotional and mental challenges that hold us back?

In business, it means leading with empathy and curiosity. Instead of reacting to surface-level problems, we must cultivate a culture of inquiry. Why is our team underperforming? Why are our sales down? When we understand the “why,” we can create long-lasting solutions that lead to growth and fulfillment.

The symptoms are merely the surface. They tell us that something deeper is going on. It’s up to us to have the courage to dig deeper, whether in health, life, or business. By focusing on the cause, rather than masking the symptom, we can bring about real change. And in doing so, we create a future that isn’t just symptom-free but truly thriving.