We’ve all faced moments when a sudden problem throws off our plans. Sometimes painfully so. But what if those moments are actually powerful reminders about how we approach challenges in business? Today, I want to share a recent personal story that perfectly illustrates why solving the root cause, not just the symptoms, is the key to lasting success.
Last Saturday, I’d planned a lovely lunch with my mother and sister. The weather was perfect, and we were excited to enjoy the afternoon together. But as we were settling onto the restaurant terrace, I felt a familiar pain in my lower back, a kidney stone.
Having had kidney stones twice before, I knew the signs. The pain ramped up quickly, so I called the emergency physician’s post. After waiting what felt like an eternity (30 minutes on hold!), I finally spoke to a doctor-in-training.
Here’s the thing about kidney stones: there are two medicines they typically prescribe. One is a painkiller, like Diclofenac, to help you manage the pain. The other is a relaxant that helps the urinary tract make space for the stone to pass, addressing the root cause.
After consulting with his colleagues, the doctor decided I should only get the painkillers. If they didn’t work, I was told to call back the next day. But I knew from experience that the relaxant was essential to help the kidney stone pass. So, I persuaded him to prescribe it as well.
Once I picked up the medication and took the relaxant, relief started to set in. In fact, I didn’t even need the painkillers until bedtime.
This experience left me reflecting on a crucial lesson: pain is a symptom. Treating the pain alone doesn’t solve the problem; it just makes it bearable. The relaxant, on the other hand, helped the kidney stone pass, solving the root cause of the issue.
And believe me, the pain from kidney stones is no joke. I’ve heard it’s comparable to giving birth (my aunt, who has three kids and has had kidney stones four times, confirmed this, though she noted that at least with childbirth, you get something wonderful at the end!).
The Business Parallel
In my 35+ years of working in business, brand, and marketing strategy, I’ve seen this mistake time and time again: people focus on solving symptoms rather than addressing the root cause. And who can blame them? Even doctors make this mistake.
In business, treating the symptom is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg. It’s the wrong solution for the underlying problem.
I see this every day, especially in the world of marketing. Business owners often think tools are the solution:
- “If I just run Facebook ads, my sales will improve.”
- “If I post on LinkedIn, clients will come to me.”
- “If I start a podcast or make videos, my business will grow.”
It’s like throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks.
And many coaches feed into this mindset, offering tool-based solutions or “proven methods” like:
- “Get more clients with LinkedIn.”
- “Make your business grow with AI.”
- “Achieve success with my proven approach.”
But here’s the thing: tools and methods are only effective if they’re applied to the right problem.
Let me give you an example. I once worked with a medical client who wanted to promote a high-ticket course to a very specific group of medical specialists. His social media agency suggested using Instagram, the same platform they used to attract patients to his medical practice. While there are doctors on Instagram, it wasn’t the most logical choice for reaching his target audience.
Another example is the “proven method” many coaches promote. These methods worked for them because of their specific circumstances, like having a large email list or a different type of service. But if your business is completely different, it’s highly unlikely their method will work for you.
The Real Problem
In my experience, the reasons businesses struggle often fall into one (or more) of these categories:
- Strategic Foundations – If your foundations aren’t solid, no tool or mindset shift will make your business successful.
- Execution – Even with a great strategy, poor execution can hold you back.
- Mindset – A strong strategy and execution won’t work if you don’t believe in your own success.
But here’s the kicker: if your strategic foundations aren’t in place, everything else is a waste of time and energy.
- If you don’t know who your client is, how can you create a message that resonates?
- If you don’t know what keeps your client up at night, how can you design an offer that solves their problem?
- If you don’t know your own strengths and values, how can you build a strong service brand?
So, next time you’re tempted by a shiny new tool or tactic, pause and ask yourself: am I addressing the real root cause, or just treating the symptoms? Building a standout knowledge brand starts with strong foundations. Everything else flows from there.
If you’re ready to dig deeper into your business’s foundations, I’m here to help. Knowledge is power. 
