Why I Believe in Fixing Systems, Not Just Problems
It is common in leadership to think about solving problems. A team runs into a roadblock, and the first instinct is to step in, solve the issue, and move on. That kind of thinking makes sense. But I’ve learned that it can go further than just leadership.
I encourage this mindset with the people I lead, but I also apply it to almost every part of my own life. Health, relationships, and even the small things that fill my week. The question I ask is not only how do I fix this problem, but what system can I build so that the problem doesn’t keep coming back?
Quick Fixes vs Real Fixes
I have lived both sides of this.
In my health, I used to jump from one diet to another whenever I felt stuck. Low-carb, juice cleanses, crash diets. They all worked for a short time, but the same issues always came back. Nothing changed until I stopped chasing fixes and started building systems. Daily habits around food, movement, and sleep gave me a foundation I could actually live with.
In leadership, I have seen the same thing. A quick correction solves today’s mistake but does nothing for tomorrow. The deeper question is always about the system. Were expectations clear? Were resources available? Did we set up the environment for success?
Systems in Daily Life and Relationships
This way of thinking shapes how I handle my relationships too. It is easy to react when something goes wrong, but what if I create systems that make connection and support a normal part of life? Scheduling time with people I care about. Setting reminders to check in. Creating rituals that make it harder to drift apart.
The same is true for everyday tasks. If I want to write, exercise, or even keep my house in order, I do not rely on willpower. I build systems that make the work automatic. Planning meals ahead of time. Blocking time on my calendar. Putting small habits in place so progress feels natural instead of forced.
Systems Create Sustainability
That is the heart of it. Systems create sustainability.
A quick fix brings relief. A system brings freedom.
In health, building systems around food, exercise, and rest created a lifestyle I could actually keep. In leadership, building systems around communication, accountability, and growth created consistency for my teams. In my personal life, building systems around connection and daily routines helped me protect the things I value.
How to Shift from Problems to Systems
Here are a few lessons I’ve carried across leadership, health, and relationships:
Pause before solving. Ask why this happened.
Look for patterns. One mistake is a problem. Repeated mistakes are a broken system.
Build habits, not heroics. Willpower runs out. Habits last.
Create clarity. Systems thrive when expectations are clear, whether in a project, a meal plan, or a relationship.
Measure what matters. Progress is not about doing more, but about building consistency that moves you forward.
A Final Thought
Fixing problems makes you feel productive in the moment. Fixing systems makes you effective long-term.
That is why I try to always ask the deeper question. What habits, structures, or supports are missing? What can I build so this issue doesn’t keep coming back?
The answer is rarely glamorous, but it works. Systems create progress you can trust.