Can You Make The Complex Simple? Part II

(With thanks to Wally Bock for the perfect quote for this post).

If Einstein was into simple, then why aren't we?

Whether you're an entrepreneur, coach/consultant, or someone slugging it out every day in corporate life, you know how complex things can become. But why?

3 Reasons Things Become Complex
When They Don't Have To Be

1. Complexity can be the result of no clarity. When nothing is number one, everything becomes number one--all at once.

2. Many people view complex explanations and business presentations as indicative of superior intelligence.

I've not seen that proven to be true. Instead, they are often indicative of lack of focus and preparation, or an attempt to overwhelm the listener(s) into thinking that what is being said can't really be understood by the uninitiated; therefore, the speaker should be granted carte blanche to proceed with the  proposal or  project, whatever it is.

Note: From now on this should raise a red flag for you. Why? Because you are about to learn

Roesler Rule of Life #27:

Truth comes in sentences.

B_ llS_it comes in paragraphs.

3. We are bombarded with so much new information and imagery that our senses are overwhelmed . Our immediate reaction is:

    a. Trying to make sense of all of it in the midst of what we've already begun to do for the day.

    b. Multitasking to deal with all of it.

Einstein Gave Us The Answer To This One, Too.
And The Answer Is You and Me.

One of the principles within the Theory of Relativity is this:

"It is impossible to detect the motion of a system by measurements made within the system."

(What a great sales line for coaches and consultants!)

As individuals, we can't sort out our blind spots from within. We need a relationship with someone who will tell us the truth, give us another perspective, and with whom we are accountable to follow through.

It's an issue of honesty.

Corporations have an even more difficult time. Systems, procedures, and programs built from within are understandably (given human nature) protected and defended by those who are attached to them. Yet the only way to clearly see the reality of a situation is to have someone stand up and tell the truth about it, good or bad. That can be a career-limiting opportunity for the keen observer. Yet to make changes that mean something, successful companies will have to promote that kind of candor or shrivel and die.

It's an issue of honesty.

With ourselves and our companies, the only thing we can decide is what we will do, personally:

Will we speak the simple truth, ask for the simple truth, or claim that our lives are so complex that we can't know the truth?

And then lament the fact that nothing has changed.

3 Ways To Help Make the Complex Simple

1. Before you start the day, answer this question:

"If I can only have one result today to the exclusion of all else, what must it be?"

Pay attention to that. Let go of the rest.

2. Edit your professional language--in length as well as terminology--so a 9 year-old can understand it. Then everyone around you will know that you understand it, too.

3. When you catch yourself multi-tasking, see how you are coming along with #1. Then go back to #1.

Finally, pay a visit to Dr. Ellen Weber and Drew McLellan who ask a very good question: Are you confident enough to be simple?"

What kind of simple vs. complex examples are you seeing that we can learn from? Weigh in by clicking on "Comments."

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Comments

[Karin H.]

Hi Steve

I know you've read my "combinations and my project" post. Instead of your point 3 on a daily base, the strong week plan focusses me the whole of the week to stay on course.
And as for keeping things simple, ;-)

Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

[peter vajda]

What comes up for me in reading your post, Steve, is the notion of how many folks live a life wrapped in self-importance and self-absorption.

Underneath, inside (often unconsciously)they feel deficient in some way, shape or form. So, one way to deal with the insecurity and defiency to to adopt a lifestyle that is characterized by grandiosity, feeling puffed up, bigger than life (and others), etc.

One way grandiosity appears is by being an "information obsessive."

One way information obsessives walk the planet is by inundating others with information (whether these others need it or not...and many don't need, or want it) believing they have some "divine right" to tell, train, fix, teach, educate...others.

Being insecure in their own right, it cannot be a question of "less is more." For them, "more" is often not enough. Pile it on, early and often, believing that now they are "somebody"---as all they have to give them their identity is their information - without which information they feel like a "nobody".

Little information thus equates to a "little me" (an egoic little "i"). More information, or consistent, bombarding information, equates to a "big me" (an egoic big "I").

Simple is not an option for such folks. Drowning is complexity is their life (ego)-saver.

[Steve Roesler]

Karin,

Thnanks for plugging in the week vs. day approach. I sounds as if your simpliciicaton process ended up with a one-week timeline that works for you.

The intent is to hopefully help folks truly decide what's important so we can simplify :-) to avoid clutter, complexity, and cranial competition.

[Steve Roesler]

Thanks, Peter. I think you've prompted yet another post when I return from NYC later today!

[ellen weber]

Wow -- this is the backbone for a great book, Steve -- you write it and I'll buy it first - and learn!

Love Einstein's part in this one! No wonder he achieved so much! Thanks for the link too. Safe travels!

[Cindy Goodwin]

"Complexity can be the result of no clarity. When nothing is number one, everything becomes number one--all at once."

How perfect...just what every coach needs to keep in mind as s/he help others find focus for conversations. It is all about clarity and focus. Once found, forward progress is not only possible, it's easy to see the other side of the forest, regardless of the trees in view.

This is my first post-really like what you say. Thanks for providing the opportunity for others to see into your thoughts.

[peter vajda]

I like Cindy's comment, "Complexity can be the result of no clarity. When nothing is number one, everything becomes number one--all at once." Thank you.

Often, IMHO, the operative question to maintaining one's sanity, direction, and true forward movement (inner and outer) is not, "What's next?" but, "What's first".

It's this latter that throws many folks into a tailspin of confusion, fogginess, angst, fear, etc....which results in an "everything's important" self-destructive, stress-inducing lifestsyle.

I find that many folks who come from this latter-question perspective and it's resulting stress and confusion are the same folks whose short-term (life/career/relationship)plan is tonight and whose long-term plan is next Friday. Hmmm

[Steve Roesler]

OK, Ellen. You tell me the title and the names of all the chapters and I'll try filling in the blanks!

Now, if I could just get a nice testimonial quote from Einstein...

[Steve Roesler]

HI, Cindy,

Well thanks for stopping by and especially for your willingness to take time and offer encouragement. I really appreciate that.

And I agree with you whole-heartedly: coaching and consulting begins with the issue of clarity, or else everything that follows is just activity.

Hope to see you again soon.

[Steve Roesler]

Peter,

As always, your comment leads to deeper thought about your comment.

As I read your "What's first?" explanation, I began to see that the question of "What's first?" is not about today's checklist but a deeper question of "What's first in one's life."

Only after that question reaches peaceful resolution to the daily checklists have any real meaning and power.

Many thanks, friend...

[Jim Stroup]

Another winner, Steve.

The Einstein quotes are perfect examples of insight that minds able to comprehend complexity discover, and that minds unable to achieve conciseness, or simplicity, cannot. You are right on the money in every respect, here.

Your discussion of editing your professional language calls to mind "Napoleon's corporal;" he is said to have edited his orders until a corporal on his staff could understand them perfectly - then he would issue them. A lot of lessons there.

Your support of a single focus a day is a key executive efficiency step. It dispels the destructively seductive image of the uber-busy boss issuing orders in all directions in the midst of the maelstrom - it is not mayhem, but calm focus that issues from the offices of effective executives.

Thanks for a really terrific post!

[Mark Howell]

Great post Steve! Love the Einstein quotes. Very helpful. Thanks for the good work.

mark

[Steve Roesler]

Thanks, Mark.

Really can't go wrong with Einstein, eh?!

BTW: I thought you were on vacation!

[Galba Bright at Tune up your EQ]

Hello Steve:

This is a great clear post. I suggest that the issue of confidence and clarity in communication is only part of the story.

I feel that the bigger issue is having or finding a compelling WHY? Another "C," "commitment" will motivate a person to develop a clear purpose for his/her communication. It's commitment that stimulates the re-writing, re-phrasing and review that leads to successful, simple communication.

[Steve Roesler]

Hello, Galba,

You know, the "why?" question is one that is only asked by a certain percentage of people with that pre-disposition (or who have learned to ask it as a skill).

Without that kind of clarity, it would, indeed, seem difficult to garner the internal commitment that comes from the Aha! that follows "Why?"

It would seem that another good reason to ask one's self that question would be to ascertain whether or not what you want to do or communicate is even necessary. That would be a big time-saver for all concerned.

What do you think?

[Galba Bright of Tune up your EQ]

Hello Steve:

That's a sound point. If we made it a practice it would save an immense amount of time, as well as minimising grandstanding an unnecessary meetings. The exploration of self can be a little scary, yet it's very rewarding :)

[Steve Roesler]

Galba,

Now my mind is moving to another place (at least it's in motion!).

I wonder if the"Why" question actually does pop up in people's minds more frequently than we realize? But the scary self-revelatory nature of the answer then causes people to stop addressing it or shy away from revealing the answer.

I think this would be interesting to explore, Galba.