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Unlocking complexity

Simplicity is not the opposite of complexity. It’s the prerequisite.

Deep inside, complexity is terrified of simplicity. It fears that simplicity would strip away the depth of a complex topic.

But that gets it upside down: it’s through simplicity that we unlock complexity.

Simplicity is the key that opens the door to deeper understanding. Without this entry point, complexity can be an inaccessible fortress.

But simplicity does more. It doesn’t just make complexity accessible; it ignites the curiosity and ambition to enter complexity and go deep into the fortress.

True sophistication in communication means inviting your audience, not excluding them.

Simplicity is that invitation.

It doesn’t make complexity go away.

It’s the key to unlocking complexity so that it feels simple.

It’s a sign of respect for your audience.

The Painter’s Overcorrection

Imagine a painter working on a portrait. He’s unhappy with the way the eyes look, so he adds more colors, trying to capture the right shade. Unsatisfied, he then paints additional lines and shadows, hoping to give them depth. The more he adds, the further the eyes drift from his vision. Frustrated, he keeps piling on strokes, shades, and highlights, making the eyes busier and less lifelike.

A fellow artist, seeing his struggle, takes another canvas and paints the same eyes with just a few confident, well-placed strokes. The result? A clear, vivid, and lifelike pair of eyes.

The original painter’s instinct was to add, thinking more detail would solve the problem. In reality, the simplicity and clarity of fewer, well-placed strokes made the difference.

It’s a cliché but it’s true: less is often more.

In our rush to communicate, our instinct is to pile on words and ideas, thinking it’s better. It’s not. One strong argument that sticks easily beats 10 weak arguments that our audience forgets.

Strip it down and keep it simple, subtract the non-essential and amplify the essential …

Your message will be so much clearer.

If all else fails, try humor

You’re in a meeting room, the air is thick with unease, everyone’s on edge. It’s a heated debate and emotions fly high.

Basically, everyone’s waiting for the room to explode.

But then, out of nowhere, someone drops a perfectly timed joke. The kind that’s not just funny, but smart and relevant.

First, silence.

But suddenly, the room bursts with laughter.

The tension dissipates and what seemed like a dead end becomes a moment of connection.

In high-stress environments, a leader who can lighten the mood is more than just a breath of fresh air. They shift the dynamics and align the team back on the common path.

Humor, when used well, is a tool for engagement. It can release tension and foster a sense of camaraderie.

But here’s the catch: timing and fit are key. A well-timed joke can turn the tide, but a poorly timed one can sink the ship.

It’s also crucial to be respectful. If it’s at the expense of someone in the group, the joke is likely to backfire. But if it’s about yourself, or even “ourself”, it allows the group to look at the heated debate from a distance.

The better you read the room and understand the dynamics, the better you can deliver that punchline at just the right moment.

The person who can break tension with humor isn’t just funny; they’re invaluable. They create an environment where ideas flow freely, where people feel connected, and where the weight of the moment doesn’t feel quite so heavy.

Have you seen humor being used that way?

A real game changer

“Looking from my audience’s perspective was a real game changer. Why did no-one teach us that before?”

That was the feedback I’ve received a couple of weeks after a recent workshop.

I think it’s an excellent question. How is that still a game-changer?

An extra day for something new

Imagine you’re given a bonus day this year. But there’s a catch: To claim this extra day, you must dedicate it to doing something you’ve never done before or have always wanted to try.

Maybe it’s learning a new skill or exploring a place you’ve never been before, perhaps you agree to your first keynote speech or even take the first step towards a dream you’ve been putting off.

What would you choose to do with this day?

PS: 2024 is a leap year. So, what are you going to do with the bonus day?

Grand visions for 2024

Grand visions for 2024 are a dime a dozen.

The actual challenge is to patiently distill the essence of your vision and effectively share it in a way that resonates deeply with your team, investors, and customers.

What do you see exactly? Can you articulate it? Can you get really specific about what you see for the future?

But also, do you listen carefully? To your team, the market, and even to your inner voice?

Are you open to feedback and different perspectives, which can refine and sometimes even challenge your vision?

Do you understand how your vision aligns with the values, aspirations, and needs of your team, investors, and customers?

This specificity is a powerful tool. Because the clearer you see something, the better you can articulate that thing in a way that others see it, too.

When you’re able to articulate your vision with the clarity that allows others to see it, too, it transforms from a personal dream into a collective journey that everyone is invested in.

What do you see?

The story of 2023

A common struggle with storytelling is that people don’t know where to find good stories.

The truth is, you don’t find good stories, you create them. It is through the telling that a story is born.

A great place to start is 2023.

2023 delivered unique events, both globally and in my personal life. I’ve met people who’ve challenged and inspired me. I’ve faced setbacks, celebrated victories, discovered joys, and made some tough decisions.

What did 2023 bring you that made an unexpected difference?
What did you learn that changed your course?
Who crossed your path and left a mark?

Why not take the time in between the years to turn one of the answers into a story, your story of 2023?

PS: We’d love to hear it! Why not share the lessons in a post (or in the comments).

Where are we headed?

3 fundamental questions that leaders who light the path address in their team communication:

1. Where are we headed?
Helps the team understand the destination they are working towards. Gives a sense of purpose and direction, ensuring that everyone is aligned and moving towards the same target.

2. Why there?
Explains the rationale behind the chosen direction or goal. It provides context and reasoning, which is crucial for team members to understand the significance of their work. Helps in building commitment as team members are more likely to be motivated if they know the purpose behind their tasks and how it contributes to the bigger picture.

3. Why us?
Highlights the unique skills, capabilities, and contributions of the team, fostering a sense of importance and belonging. Addressing the role and significance of the team in achieving the set objectives, boosts morale and instills a sense of responsibility and ownership among team members.

Where are you headed?

Shifts in leadership

You certainly know the famous drawing that contrasts leaders and bosses. While the boss commands from the command stand (i.e. his desk), the leader leads by going first (and eating last).

But the most effective leaders I’ve met don’t actually lead like this. They understand that they often aren’t the smartest, bravest, or toughest person in the team. Which is why they leave these spots to those who are. Rather than leading the way, they light the path so that the team moves in the same direction with a collective effort – as a group … and more decisive than anyone could on their own.

It’s a third way that’s both unlike a boss who could always rely on their authority to force a decision, no need to justify anything (“We go where I say we go”). And also unlike a leader who leads the way who could always rely on their ambition and confidence, no need to justify anything (“We go where I go”).

A leader who lights the path is different. They make it obvious how choices are made and then they trust the team with making these choices. Which means that they do need to justify where the team’s headed, why it’s gotta be there, and why it’s gotta be us (“We go where it makes most sense to go”).

Their tools are empathy, truth, and trust. They listen, they ask questions, and they tap into the brilliance of everyone on the team.

Which shifts are you observing in leadership?

Thanks!

For extending a helping hand when you needed help yourself.

For lending an ear even though you had urgent stuff to do.

For asking the painful question that made a difference.

For going the extra mile when no one noticed.

For being a constant in a year of change.

For being kind when times were tough.

For being you.

===

Wishing you a great day with your loved ones.

Thanks for reading!

Spread the Word

Dr. Michael Gerharz

Dr. Michael Gerharz