The Root Cause

"Impeccably researched and astoundingly insightful, The Root Cause  reveals how to go from 'putting out fires' to finding true, lasting  solutions . . . A must-read guide for executives and leaders at any  stage of their career!" ―Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Leadership  Thinker and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Triggers

Businesses—large  and small—have their day-to-day operations disrupted by new and  unforeseen circumstances. Typically, these disruptions manifest  themselves in many forms, such as disappointing top-line results, low  employee engagement, the war for talent, a lack of creativity and  innovation, eroding profit margins, price wars, fraud, and ethics  violations.

Such unintended and unwanted effects are mere  symptoms of a dysfunctional business system. That means their root  causes are inherent to that system's design, structure, or organization,  implementation or operation, maintenance, and management, which are all  exclusive executive responsibilities. Until executives adapt and adjust  their business systems accordingly, these problems will keep  recurring―prompting the erroneous belief they are without solution.

In  this groundbreaking guide, change-management consultant Hans Norden  challenges you to rethink your approach to solving stubborn  enterprise-wide problems by demonstrating that real solutions are in  fact readily available. Rather than prescribing HOW to solve a  dysfunctional system's countless symptoms, he describes WHY systemic  problems occur and keep manifesting in one form or another. Once you  understand the principles that explain and predict the outcome of your  decision-making process, you will forge ahead with purpose and  confidence, feeling empowered to solve stubborn systemic problems with  authentic and lasting solutions.

You'll gain expert invaluable insight into:
 Why change initiatives require a form of leadership different from  routine operations. Why diagnosing systemic problems makes all the  difference in the successful outcome of change management initiatives,  including changing strategic direction. Why recognizing behavioral  patterns―such as human error―prevents unnecessary friction and conflict,  and enhances business performance. Why growing bottom-line results  tends to erode a business system's sustainable performance. Why  developing a business system's capability and capacity enhances its  sustainable performance. Why neither people nor technology can  outperform a business system's capability and capacity. Why the  existence of net profits doesn't necessarily constitute success—and vice  versa.
Whether you've been running your organization for years or  you're an up-and-coming C-suite leader, a trusted advisor or financier,  with The Root Cause, you have everything you need to help create and  deliver authentic solutions to drive sustainable success for years to  come.