Ok.

 

This is probably going to end my posts on simplicity.

 

I have written several (most recent on project briefs) and this is my most complex on simplicity … hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm  … now there is a paradox.

 

Regardless.

I get to use a bunch of quotes and rant about management and simplicity so it was fun to write.

 

 

Enjoy.

 

“Something of true value does not become more valuable because it becomes complicated.

=

Donald Curtis

 

 

 

Whew.

 

If I could make this thought above a management mandatory ‘way-of-life’ I would be willing to give up coffee for the rest of my life (that is a REALLY big deal).

 

Why?

 

Because if we actually lived and breathed this thought in the business world … business would be more efficient, daily work life would be more efficient and life would be more efficient.

Ok.

 

It would be more efficient. Get it?

 

 

I think people believe simplicity doesn’t have value.  Or maybe that complexity equals value.  Either way you look at those last two thoughts we are screwed.

 

Here is the truth.

 

‘That which is simple is invaluable.’

 

Period.

 

End of thought.

 

 

Next.

“Simplicity is an acquired taste.

Mankind, left free, instinctively complicates life.”

=

Katherine Gerould

 

So.

 

I laughed when I saw this quote for the first time.

 

We all want to simplify our lives (or at least we talk about it a lot) and yet, as a generalization, we all seem to seek every way possible to complicate our lives.

 

We are a certainly a ‘people’ of problem solvers (but also problem creators as a corollary).

 

The problem appears to be we are all ‘doing’ so much it is difficult to keep it all simple. And, oddly in a way, we seem to find a certain pride in uncovering solutions to the complex lives we have created for ourselves. I guess it is just human nature in that we find self-value in problem solving.  Therefore simplicity is just not seem as problem solving (or maybe it is just less self evident as such).

 

I guess I find that thought not only in life but in business.

 

 

And that thought creates challenges because the best solutions are often the ideas that are immediately obvious once someone shows it to you. It’s not an “ah ha” moment but rather a “doh!” moment.

<boy … there are a bunch of business gurus who are gonna hate that thought>.

 

 

The ‘doh’ is almost like the sound of complexity being unraveled into simplicity.
but instead of being happy (even delighted with the ‘doh’ moment we seek to find complexity.

 

Look.

There is no simple solution to complexity.

 

 

Simple is hard.

 

Sometimes simple is arrived at by distilling complex solutions/ideas down.

 

 

Sometimes simplicity ideas can only be found from checking out all of the different solutions. And while you may end up with a “doh” moment you may be surprised by the solutions that make the most sense at the end of the day.

 

 

And why is simple THAT hard?

 

 

Well.

 

Al Einstein said, “Make things as simple as can be—but not simpler.”

 

Geez.

 

So simple isn’t the least.

It may actually be somewhere above the least and significantly below the most (complex).

 

(by the way. that may be one of the smartest simplest things I have ever written)

 

 

Anyway.

 

 

A definition moment (pause) ….

 

===

sim·plic·i·ty ( n):

  1. 1. The property, condition, or quality of being simple or uncombined.
  2. 2. Absence of luxury or showiness; plainness.
  3. 3. Absence of affectation or pretense.
  4. 4. Lack of sophistication or subtlety; naiveté.
    – Lack of good sense or intelligence; foolishness.
  5. 5. Clarity of expression.
    – Austerity in embellishment.

===

Whew.

 

Good stuff here (although some of it a little scary).

 

 

First.

Could you imagine going into a business and have a meeting and say “let’s keep it simple” and then sitting through “plainness with absence of showiness”?

 

Yikes.

No can do.

 

 

 

Second.

 

So let’s stick with “quality of being simple or uncombined” and “clarity of expression.”

 

Yes can do <but … maybe not actually do>.

 

Unfortunately both seem to be missing in much of our current business world.

 

Because people get confused about simple.

 

Yup.

Confused.

 

 

Because when we hear simple we translate “lacking sophistication or good sense and intelligence” in our heads.

 

And that, my friends, is silly.

 

Very very silly.

 

 

Why?

“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent.

It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction.”

Albert Einstein

==

Once again our good friend Al saves the day with an awesome quote.

 

“Any intelligent fool” will seek to add complexity to build self value.

 

 

Oops.

 

Yep.

SELF value.

 

 

Not value in the idea <that isn’t the motivation> but self value.  This is all about how someone looks to others. And how someone feels about themselves.

 

Self importance type stuff.

 

Ego. Id? Whatever.

 

 

Suffice it to say having a desire to add complexity to a beautiful simple idea has nothing to do with the idea but rather with the person.

 

Which leads me to the next thought.

 

 

This courage thing.  “a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.”

 

 

 

Well.

 

Think about it (what people think in their heads).

 

If it is SO simple then anyone can do it.

And if anyone can do it then why do we need you?

<answer: ‘because I uncovered the frickin’ solution/idea you jerk’ … sorry … thought bubble moment>.

 

 

It takes courage to be good at simple.

 

And it takes a HUGE amount of courage in a world where “more is better”.

 

We strive for more things.  More complexity.

 

More stuff is better.

 

More for your money.

 

Heck. More money.

 

 

So if the idea doesn’t have “more”?

 

Well.

You are more than kinda screwed.

 

 

So much of modern life seems to be about more <which is not ‘simplicity’ by the way>.

 

Life is ‘too busy’ with ‘too many choices’ and there is ‘never enough whatever’ and despite this we always feel a need for ‘wanting more’ <whatever more is>.

 

This isn’t to say that wanting more is bad or wrong. Sometimes the desire for more helps – wanting more responsibility at work can lead to becoming better than what you were before (and leading to a higher position, more responsibility, more money, etc.).

 

 

Look.

 

I do believe wanting more can help us grow in many ways.

 

But.

When does wanting more go too far and then we start to miss the simplicity in life.  Where the basics have a higher value than luxury <because we cannot see the basics for being goo-goo eyed on desirable luxuries>.

 

Ok.

 

 

Moving on to another simplicity gone awry.

 

=

“Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone.”

Albert Einstein

=

 

I threw this one in not because I want to talk about science or the periodic table but rather to make a point.

 

The point?

Anything should be expressed in a “language comprehensible to everyone.”

 

Complex and clever solutions quickly become fragile because there are more moving parts and more possible points of failure.

Oh.  And they become more difficult to explain.  And what no one really wants to admit is that the additional details become dances of nuance.

 

 

Just because something is using the latest or coolest technology, doesn’t mean that it’s the best idea. If that technology (or cool widget) doesn’t reduce complexity or streamline process get rid of it.  That sounds easier than it really it is.  People love ‘bright shiny objects’.  And complexity often hides within some bright shiny object (so beware bright shiny objects would be the lesson here).

 

 

So.

 

 

In the end (my closing simplicity related quote):

 

“Dealing with complexity is an inefficient and unnecessary waste of time, attention and mental energy.

There is never any justification for things being complex when they could be simple.”

Edward de Bono

=

 

This should be a postulate (or theorem).

 

Complexity is a destructive path. (yeah.  that bad)

 

 

It creates on ongoing flow of building more and more complex solutions that take eons to implement.

 

Oh.

 

And all that is happening when most people need something NOW.

 

 

Hey.

 

I am not suggesting that to avoid complexity we should develop less than best quality solutions.

 

But.

 

I am suggesting simple solutions are often the best solutions.

 

And I am suggesting simplicity can often solve an immediate issue.

 

And sooner rather than later in this often complex world of ours is … well … simply good.

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Written by Bruce