The power of simplicity

We live in a complex world. The way mankind has evolved, even the most regular life requires a mind-boggling array of skills, aptitudes and will-power to survive. And when we get educated, especially in the modern sense of the word, keeping things simple is below the dignity of our degree-laden, convocation-enabled, snooty-snobbish egos!

So it is such a pleasure to learn from kids! They are not yet totally corrupted by the formal education system, and hence when confronted with a decision situation, they keep it simple. Really simple.

My recurrent experiences with my son on this front have been eye-opening. I will particularly refer to the occasions when we watch a movie together. And especially when he joins later.

The first question inevitably is - "Daddy, who are the good guys, and who are the bad guys?" (inmey sey acchha aadmi kaun hai aur gandaa aadmi kaun hai?)

Wonderful! Cut to the core. Death to all bullshit. Endgame, right at the start! By asking this simple, straight and absolutely precise question, the kid is putting the focus on what really matters. Forget the bells-and-whistles, let go of the frills and fancy-ribbons. Just tell me - who is the good guy (whom I should be cheering) and who is the bad guy (who deserves my curse).

Would a grown-up ever ask such a question (to another grown-up)? Chances are rather poor. A typical question may be - "What's the plot of the film? What's happening?" Now these are rather broader, more abstract questions that cannot attract simple, precise answers, and inevitably will lead to more comprehensive and complex treatment. From a philosophical standpoint, this may be good practice, but from a business perspective, it's fairly lethal.

And it is this habit - this very habit - that most of us educated people (especially MBAs!) carry to the workplace. Instead of asking the most important questions in the most simple manner, we will ask the most inane questions in the most complex manner. Instead of designing systems that will address the most fundamental issues first, we will be inclined to putting bells-and-whistles that will add little or no value at all.

After all, we have to justify our salaries! Who will pay us the fancy and fat salaries if we start cutting things to the core! (that's actually a wrong notion)

When managers fall into the trap of such blatant circumnavigation, the results are not good for the organisation on the whole.

The following problems arise due to managers' inability to ask precise questions, or take simple-worded decisions -

1. Things look more complex than they actually are
2. Decisions become very difficult to implement, as the words are too complex for team-members to understand (Ex. Leveraging the global appeal of instant gratification through social media rather than Using social media to attract customers)
3. They themselves lose focus on what they should really be doing

Dr Peter F Drucker wonderfully developed, and practised, this art of "Asking the right questions" all his professional life. In some of his most prolific sessions with top CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, he would never proffer any sagacious advice, but would just ask questions. And more questions. And would stun everyone by the simplicity of them. The CEOs would scurry for answers, much as many of them were (are) at times unprepared for basic questions. Some of these gems can well be

1. Define your business - and in 30 seconds please.
2. What is your biggest strength?
3. What are your top 3 strengths?
4. Who is your biggest competitor?
5. Why? - and in 30 seconds please.
6. Given a second chance, which decisions of past 10 years would you take again?
7. Which would you not?
8. Who are your customers?
9. Why should they buy from you?

Notice the beauty of these hard-hitting googlies. They are shorn of all frills, and leave no egos un-battered. You have to really, truly, completely cut to the core.

I feel a lot of us might want to use Dr Drucker's approach in our daily lives. Whenever we are faced with tough situations, we must ask simple questions. And seek out simple solutions. When we share those solutions with others, we must use simple words to do that. In fact, I suspect that knowingly or unknowingly, a lot of entrepreneurs must be using these techniques - they just don't have the patience or time :-)

Is this not what "3 Idiots" also said?

Simplicity is a virtue. And in the increasingly mad world of ours, I can only pray to God that our global leaders practise it more! Now let me end before I ramble, and make it jargon-laden, and complex!

I've promised to myself I will always take my kids questions seriously! Their approach is always the best stupidity shredder I could have asked for. And I will write a lot more on this topic again.
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