Episode 127: Are you solving the real problem or just the visible one?


A few months ago, I watched ICE agents try to manage a TSA checkpoint they weren't authorized to run. The line didn't move because the line wasn't the problem. I see the same thing in organizations. We add bodies, create new Slack channels, schedule another check-in, and call it a solution.

The actual source of the problem sits upstream, untouched, because addressing it is harder or uncomfortable.The difference between solving what's visible and solving what's real is the difference between optimization and prioritization. They are not the same thing.


In this episode, I walk through the three-question Relentless Prioritization Filter — the core framework from my new book, The Right Things First— and how to apply it at work and at home.

And if you want something to use with your team right away, I built a one-page infographic of the full filter, including the solution check. It's yours, free.

P.S. The Right Things First officially launches September 8th. It's available for pre-order now in packs of ten or more — priced for teams, leadership retreats, and conference use. Simply hit reply with the number of copies you're interested in for a quote.

RaderCo - Health-Powered Productivity

Do the right things first. Twice a month I send one prioritization practice you can use that week, plus the Health-Powered Productivity podcast, the reading, and what I'm learning on the road.

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