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Content

The 4 Questions to Ask Before You Try to Fix What’s Not Working

📅 June 1, 2026 ⏱️ 33:37 🎤 Todd Dawalt

Chapters

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  • 0:00
    The Need for Better Questions
    The episode opens by highlighting the common tendency to react to business problems with more action, and introduces the idea of pausing to ask better questions.
  • 0:56
    The Power of Pausing
    The host emphasizes that the best first step when something feels wrong in your business is to pause and ask diagnostic questions, rather than jumping into action.
  • 1:45
    Question 1: What did you stop doing?
    The first question encourages reflection on past successful practices that might have been discontinued, suggesting that the solution could be to restart something old.
  • 2:58
    Question 2: What should you stop doing?
    This section delves into the 'additive bias' and encourages contractors to identify and eliminate activities or processes that are no longer effective or necessary, even if they're done efficiently.
  • 4:17
    Question 3: What is working?
    The third question focuses on identifying successful strategies and processes within the business and then doubling down on those proven methods rather than seeking new, unproven approaches.
  • 5:00
    Question 4: Who can help?
    The final and often overlooked question shifts the focus from 'how can I fix this' to 'who can help me fix this,' promoting the seeking of external perspectives to overcome blind spots.
  • 5:28
    Implementing the 4 Questions
    The host concludes by summarizing the four questions and their benefits, encouraging listeners to apply them to improve their business operations and leadership.

Speakers

T
Todd Dawalt
Host

Key Takeaways

✦

Before implementing new solutions or actions, pause and diagnose the problem by asking the four key questions to avoid creating more complexity.

✦

Identify and restart practices that were previously effective but have been discontinued, as these might be the 'missing pieces' causing current issues.

✦

Actively look for processes, meetings, or tasks that can be eliminated entirely, even if they are done efficiently, to reduce complexity and wasted effort.

✦

Double down on what's already working in your business, whether it's a marketing strategy, project type, or operational process; don't get bored with success.

✦

Seek external perspectives or expertise (mentors, coaches, peer groups) to gain clarity and identify blind spots you might be too close to see in your own business.

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