How often do you try to fix the outputs instead of addressing the underlying inputs? Treating the symptoms instead of curing the disease? Just as a fever caused by a bacterial infection won’t go away until the infection is treated, outputs cannot be permanently changed without fixing the inputs.
Think of the famous “Five Ways” technique: In the 1930s, Toyota founder Sakichi Toyoda came up with a simple way to get to the root of an issue: Identify the problem and ask why it happened. Then ask why that happened. Then ask why that next thing happened, and so on, until the underlying input – not just the visible problem – is found. For example, instead of blaming a failed part, they’d trace it back to a flaw in supplier quality or staff training. By improving those inputs, Toyota continuously improves product quality and reliability across the board.
But you can also think about a relationship that isn’t going well: partners might argue frequently and feel distant from each other. Trying to fix the relationship by simply spending more time together or planning romantic dates might provide temporary relief, but it won’t address the core issues. Unless they honestly examine the fundamentals of their relationship, it simply cannot grow stronger. As Albert Einstein famously said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Lasting and meaningful change can only be achieved by diving deep into the underlying causes and understanding what truly drives the outcomes you desire. It requires patience, honesty, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. But it is this very process of addressing the core issues that leads to genuine transformation. By focusing on the right things – those fundamental inputs – you lay the groundwork for lasting success. So, the next time you face a challenge, commit to the hard work, and watch how the outputs, those visible results, naturally begin to align with your efforts.
