Why do we make things so complicated?
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.”
Humans have a way of making things complicated, even when we try to simplify things, the result can be a more complex solution than was necessary. Road signage can be a good example of overcomplicating a solution. How often have you driven to a new location and been overwhelmed with signage?
In general, knowing where you are going, and where to park once you have arrived are important pieces of information. But often we have signage overload. It’s clear the original thought process was well-intended but the result is too much information to onboard. The driver is faced with so many signs they don’t know where to focus their attention and miss the important piece of information they need. The original purpose of making the driver’s life easier seems to have been forgotten somewhere along the way.
Complex journeys
Work environments can be complex, meetings about meetings, then there are the reports, workflows, forms, processes, and emails. So many emails. Ask a colleague how their working day is going and often the response is “busy”.
We are all so busy; our workdays are filled with meetings, emails, calls and reports but how much of it adds to productivity? From the conversations we are having with companies, there is the awareness that the workplace has become overcomplicated. Like multiple signs on a road, the intentions were good but along the way, people lost sight of the purpose of the signs.
Workers are feeling overwhelmed and burnt out by work, whether they are office-based, remote or hybrid. There is too much to do, too many distractions (video call fatigue, anyone?) and expectations on all sides are higher than ever. It’s time to create simpler workplaces, where employees are empowered, know what the direction is and are unencumbered by legacy work rules that have outlived their time.
Keep things simple
You would have thought creating a simpler work environment would be easy. But sometimes what should seem simple is anything but. Lisa Bodell, a leading advocate of simplifying work recounts a conversation she had with a neurologist. They made the comment:
“The brain is the most amazing organ we have, it starts working from the very moment we wake up, and it doesn’t stop until the very second we step foot into the office.”
Thinking in the workplace is a daring act as we rarely have the space and time to just sit and think. We have confused activity with productivity and forsaken thinking and innovation.
Reducing complexity removes barriers to getting things done. However, not all complexity is bad, some matters are complex and require appropriate processes that serve a purpose. The answer is identifying the complexity that causes inefficiency, creates barriers, confusion, and loss of morale.
The path to better answers is asking better questions. Leaders need to ask employees provocative questions, create productive agitation, and get under the skin of the problem by lifting people out of the status quo.
Demolish barriers
How often do we carry out tasks in a certain way because it’s always been done that way?
We assume it’s a company rule and go with the flow, not questioning why things are the way they are. After all, the rule must be in place for a good reason otherwise it wouldn’t remain a rule, right?
These cultural assumptions hold us back from questioning whether rules, reports, processes etc are still relevant or whether they have outlived their time. It’s important to identify what is holding back creativity and innovation - and then demolish those barriers.
The decision to change the culture and embrace a simpler one must be followed by action, or it won’t happen. It isn’t a one-time activity or an annual event. We spend more time making things complex than we do simplify them. For culture to change, leaders must pledge to a code of conduct and commit to simplification as an operating principle.
Change is a choice and for change to happen it must be a daily habit. For every task, meeting, and activity we need to ask ourselves ‘is this necessary’ and ‘is this being done in the most minimal way possible’ whilst still achieving the goals.
By simplifying the work environment, we empower people to make decisions and to identify and remove barriers. We create space to think, and we give innovation an opportunity to flourish. Employees will direct their attention to where their leaders focus – don’t deviate from the journey and neither will your team.