Every System is Perfect for the Result That it Gets

Every system is perfect for the result that it gets.

When I first heard this sentence from Steve Chandler, it sounded weird.

But it’s true.

Let’s take a clear example of a system: an apple tree. The result of an apple tree is apples. That’s obvious. That’s why it’s called an apple tree.

Now, let’s say you have an apple tree, but you don’t like apples. What do you do?

You cut down the apple tree, plant a cherry tree, nurture it, and after a while, you have cherries. That makes perfect sense.

But in real life, we don’t do that.

In business, we don’t do that.

We don’t like the results we see—certain KPIs, leadership issues, financial situations—but instead of changing the system, we fall back on old habits. We work harder, faster, and push more.

But an apple tree doesn’t care how hard you work. It will still give you apples.

What Most People Do Instead of Changing the System

This happens everywhere—business, leadership, personal growth. People don’t like the results they’re getting, but instead of changing the system, they try to force different results.

• A company with low employee engagement throws in perks and motivational talks instead of fixing toxic leadership.

• A struggling entrepreneur blames the economy instead of rethinking their offer or pricing.

• Someone stuck in a personal rut keeps reading books and attending seminars but never changes their daily actions.

They don’t change the tree. They just hope for different fruits.

The Hard Truth About Change

With an apple tree, the system is obvious. You can see it, touch it.

But in most areas of life, the system is invisible. We focus on what we can see—the results—rather than what’s actually producing them.

So we:
• Work harder, thinking effort alone will fix it.
• Work smarter, believing efficiency is the answer.
• Try new tactics, hoping a different approach will magically change everything.

But nothing changes—because the system stays the same.

The Real Work

If you don’t like the results, the only real solution is to change the system.
• In business, this system is called culture, leadership style, or values.
• In personal life, it’s called beliefs, habits, and patterns.

Until those transform, every action will lead to the same outcome—more work, more overwhelm, more busyness—because the focus is on the fruit, not the tree.

Real change happens when you stop trying to force different results from the same system.

In the apple tree metaphor, you cut down the tree, plant a cherry tree, nurture it, and give it time—and before you know it, you have cherries.

It’s exactly the same in business, relationships, and life.

Because the system is always decisive.

Your Turn

What area of your life or work isn’t producing the desired results? What system might be creating those exact outcomes?

Find more in my newest book, "Being Your Own Authority," which will help you identify your hidden systems and create a whole new game.
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