EPISODE · Aug 11, 2026 · 4 MIN
The Fire You've Put Out Repeatedly
from Deliberate Leaders Podcast with Allison Dunn · host Allison Dunn, Deliberate Directions
Recognizing and Overcoming Recency Bias in Leadership In this episode, Allison Dunn explores the often-overlooked trap of recency bias that can cause even smart leaders to focus on the most recent events rather than underlying issues. She shares personal stories, practical strategies, and questions to help leaders identify and break free from this pattern to make better decisions and solve problems effectively. Key topics: Definition of recency bias and its impact on leadership decision-making How recency bias turns recurring problems into maintenance tasks rather than root cause solutions Allison’s story of solving the same operational issue 14 times in six months and realizing it was a pattern The importance of asking "Have I seen this pattern before?" before jumping into quick fixes Distinguishing between solving symptoms versus addressing underlying causes How firefighting creates a false sense of productivity and growth Suggestions for leaders to identify patterns and escalate root causes within their teams Introducing the mental model: "Solve at the Source" from Allison’s book Think First, Solve at the Source Practical questions to challenge recency bias in daily leadership The value of tracing problems to their source to save time and build sustainable solutions Timestamps: 00:00 - Introducing the series on leadership thinking traps and why recency bias matters 00:28 - Allison shares her story of repeatedly handling the same operational fire 00:58 - How recency bias distorts perception of what’s urgent versus what’s important 01:26 - Examples of how leadership meetings focus on crises rather than strategic priorities 01:56 - The paradox of firefighting feeling productive but actually maintaining problems 02:25 - Practical question: "What is generating this problem in the first place?" 02:53 - Recognizing patterns by asking "Have I seen this before?" and avoiding symptom treatment 03:23 - How understanding problem patterns leads to faster, more sustainable fixes 03:53 - Encouraging teams to escalate root causes to reduce recurring emergencies 04:20 - Reflection question: What problems have you solved multiple times? 04:50 - Promoting the mindset of solving problems at their source and resources to help leaders Think First
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What this episode covers
Most leaders are caught in a dangerous cycle — firefighting routine problems that mask deeper issues, draining time and energy without real progress. Allison Dunn exposes the "firefighter’s trap," a blind spot that keeps smart leaders stuck in urgent crises instead of addressing root causes. Discover how your recent focus on quick fixes may be actually maintaining, not solving, your biggest hurdles, and learn the one question that reveals whether you're tackling symptoms or solutions. In this episode, Allison shares a powerful story of how her team solved a recurring problem 14 times without identifying its source, highlighting how recency bias distorts what feels like urgent but may actually be trivial in the bigger picture. You’ll explore: the pattern of reactive leadership driven by recent crises, the danger of confusing symptoms with underlying causes, and practical strategies to break free from the firefighting cycle. We break down the question: “Have I seen this pattern before?” and how this simple check can shift your entire approach to problem-solving. Plus, Allison reveals how teams can develop a skill for anticipating root causes, turning quick fixes into long-term solutions. This episode empowers you to focus on high-impact leadership, avoid burnout, and build a resilient organization that addresses problems at their source, not just their disguise. Perfect for executives, team leaders, and managers feeling overwhelmed by recurring crises, this episode offers the mindset shifts and tactical questions needed to elevate your leadership game. If you're tired of putting out fires that never really go out, this is your wake-up call. Tune in and start leading with clarity and purpose today. Allison Dunn is a leadership coach and organizational strategist, known for helping leaders think clearly and act decisively. Her insights have transformed the way countless teams approach problem-solving and strategic growth.
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The Fire You've Put Out Repeatedly
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