When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves.

The metaphor contrasts “leaves” (visible symptoms) with “roots” (hidden causes). D’Angelo’s point is that many problems persist because people treat what is easiest to see—complaints, errors, crises—without addressing the deeper structures that generate them: incentives, habits, assumptions, systems, or unmet needs. “Digging at the roots” implies patience, diagnosis, and sometimes uncomfortable inquiry, but it promises more durable solutions. The line also critiques reactive management: quick fixes may create the appearance of progress while allowing the real cause to remain intact and reappear in new forms.