What happens when leaders solve the wrong problem—perfectly?

In this episode of Leadership Traits Decoded, Cynthia Kyriazis and Drea Martin unpack digs for root cause—a leadership trait that separates surface-level execution from real problem-solving.

At its core, this trait is about going beyond symptoms to identify what’s actually driving an issue. Some leaders instinctively dig deeper. Others prioritize speed—focusing on action without fully understanding the cause.

Both approaches have a place. But when the root cause is missed, teams risk solving the wrong problem, wasting time, and repeating the same issues.

The conversation also introduces a powerful reframe: constraints. Often, it’s not just about identifying what went wrong—but understanding what’s blocking progress before it happens.

The key isn’t that every leader must find the root cause—it’s that someone on the team must.

You’ll learn:

• What it means to truly “dig for root cause” versus reacting to symptoms
• When leaders should go deep—and when they should delegate the problem-solving
• Why misidentifying the cause leads to repeated failures and wasted effort
• How constraints—not just causes—shape outcomes and execution
• Why effective teams ensure someone owns root cause analysis.

Leaders who solve symptoms stay busy—but leaders who find root causes eliminate problems for good.

Ready to explore your leadership traits? Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit www.plllab.com to see how we transform leadership intelligence into return-driven action.