Episode 201 - Fundamental Attribution Error

Founders, we fall into the same trap over and over—what psychologists call fundamental attribution error. We misdiagnose the problem, so we chase the wrong solutions. When we fail, we blame the market. When someone else fails, we blame their character. In business, this mistake kills us because we keep attributing the wrong inputs to the outcomes we want. In this episode, I share a conversation with a founder doing millions in revenue but stuck with no profit and no freedom. The issue wasn’t revenue, projects, or customers—it was people. Wrong people in the wrong seats. And when asked how much time he spent fixing that? His answer was zero. If you want growth without chaos, stop misattributing your outcomes. Focus on the only three levers that matter: • People: Right talent in the right seats • Strategy: Clarity and direction • Execution system: Coaching, accountability, and rhythm Get these right, and everything else gets easier—or unnecessary.