In this episode of Root Issue Radio, Jill Young and Sue Hawkes explore what happens when leaders stop focusing only on problems and start paying attention to hunches, glimmers, and possibilities. They talk about the “issue under the issue,” the difference between a trigger and a glimmer, and why good leaders need to create space for ideas before rushing to solutions.

Jill and Sue discuss how teams can open up the discussion phase of IDS by asking better questions like “What else?” “What if?” and “What would great look like?” They explain why the first answer is not always the best answer, and how slowing down can help teams see more options, more creativity, and better long-term outcomes.

Jill also introduces the idea of calibrating intuition, describing intuition as pattern recognition outside conscious awareness. Together, they encourage leaders to trust their hunches, ask the harder questions, and give voice to ideas that might otherwise get dismissed too early

Listener takeaway:

When a team feels stuck, it may be time to PAUSE — Perhaps Another Unseen Solution Exists. Slowing down long enough to create space can open up better ideas, deeper thinking, and the kind of team conversation that leads to real breakthroughs.

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In this episode of Root Issue Radio, Jill Young and Sue Hawkes unpack the powerful question: what are you pretending not to know? They explore why this question gets to the root of what’s really happening in teams, how ego and habit can keep people from naming the truth, and why safety matters when hard things need to be said.

Jill and Sue discuss how unspoken cues, silence, and “the meeting after the meeting” often reveal more than what is said out loud. They explain how leaders can create space for honest conversation, move issues into the open, and help teams build the trust needed for stronger results.

The conversation also covers the difference between withholding and protecting, why confidentiality has to go both ways, and how permission-based coaching can help people speak into what they already know. Jill and Sue close by noting that not every issue is friction; some are hunches, ideas, and opportunities that deserve a place on the issues list too.

Listener Takeaway:

Sometimes the thing blocking progress is not what’s being said, but what everyone is pretending not to know. Notice the unspoken, get curious about the root issue, and create enough safety for honest conversation to happen.

Get your copy of the Issues Book here!

In this episode of Root Issue Radio, Jill Young and Sue Hawkes explore disciplined thought and why creating space is essential for clear leadership. They discuss how leaders can slow down, think more clearly, and make room for better questions, better decisions, and better problem-solving. The conversation also connects disciplined thinking to the EOS Clarity Break and the practice of intentionally stepping back to create space for insight.

Jill shares how small changes in calendar structure, like building in 15-minute breaks, can create room for reflection, movement, and clearer thinking. Sue adds that leaders often need to “create the space to have the space to create,” and explains how overpacked schedules can block creativity, resilience, and presence.

The episode also highlights the power of questions, including Sue’s issues-focused question deck, which is designed to help teams create trust when truth is present but unspoken. Jill and Sue close by contrasting disciplined thought with worry, explaining that worry often lives in the “how,” while disciplined thought stays focused on the real root issue.

Listener Takeaway

Disciplined thought is not about doing less; it’s about creating enough space to think clearly, ask better questions, and find the real issue before rushing to solve the wrong one

Grab your copy of the Issues Book here!