The Danger of Fixing the Wrong Problem
20 August 2025When an organisation is stuck, the loudest issue often isn’t the real one. The true cause is usually hidden. If you leap into fixing what’s visible, you risk wasting time, money, and goodwill, while leaving the actual problem untouched.
At EmpowerPath, we see this regularly. Leaders under pressure are tempted to act fast, but speed in the wrong direction can be as damaging as standing still. That’s why our work always begins with uncovering the real problem before designing the solution.
The Sports Programme That Missed the Mark
I was once hired to tackle what seemed an unsolvable problem. In a group of London secondary schools, too many children were inactive. This was affecting not only their health but also their engagement in lessons.
Over the years, schools had tried every obvious solution. They raised the quality of coaching, introduced more supervision, built pathways into community clubs, and created more competitive structures. On paper, these looked like smart fixes. But the results barely shifted: around one third of pupils joined in, leaving the majority inactive.
The issue? All these solutions were designed with sporty kids in mind, not the inactive ones the programmes were meant to reach.
So, we asked those inactive pupils directly: what would persuade you to take part? Their answers overturned all the assumptions. They didn’t want better coaching, competition pathways, or elite clubs. They wanted something simple: fun, safe activities with their friends.
The programme we designed together looked very different. Older pupils were trained to run sessions, events were informal, and the emphasis was on enjoyment rather than technique. The most dedicated 10% of sporty kids weren’t interested. But 80% of the others turned up, every week.
By focusing on the right people, asking the right questions, and listening to what really mattered, we achieved outcomes far beyond expectations – at lower cost, and with the added benefit of developing young leaders along the way.
A Familiar Footballing Mistake?
This danger isn’t unique to grass roots. At the start of the new season, think of a football club that sacks its manager after a string of poor results. It looks decisive. However, if recruitment is weak, the finances are unstable, or the dressing room culture is toxic, no new manager can succeed. The club has treated the symptom, not the cause.
Organisations often fall into the same trap. They fix what’s visible, while the deeper issue remains untouched.
What Leaders Can Learn
This story isn’t just about sport. It’s about avoiding the trap of fixing the wrong problem. The lessons apply to any organisation:
- Be clear who it’s for
Design solutions around the people the service is really meant to reach, not the ones already engaged. - Ask open questions
Surveys and assumptions don’t always reveal the truth. Listening carefully to what matters most will. - Test and refine
A solution that “sort of” works isn’t enough. Keep checking whether it’s really delivering the intended result – and be prepared to adjust. - Empower the right people
Those closest to the challenge often know best how to adapt and improve. Involve them fully in the change.
The Real Risk
The danger of fixing the wrong problem isn’t just wasted effort — it’s leaving the real issue untouched, to cause even more damage down the line.
That’s why EmpowerPath helps organisations go beyond the noise, uncover root causes, and design solutions that last.
If your organisation keeps hitting the same obstacles, maybe it’s time to dig deeper. See how EmpowerPath gets to the root causes.
[Featured image credit: Photo by Shane Aldendorff on Unsplash]
