Simplicity on the other side of complexity

“I would not give a fig for the simplicity on this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

I was recently asked to contribute to a shared list of beautiful books. As I did so (and I have written reviews of many books in posts on this site), I recognised that, more and more, I love radically distilled writing. One line, even one word.

Recently I wrote a post of single lines, inspired by a tweet from @nayyirahwaheed

“the longest writing. can be one line.”

In considering the value of simplicity, I’m reminded of a recent call, where I was asked for my advice for a CEO looking to address a sense from staff that they are disconnected from leadership. The idea being put forward was to talk to them about the Strategic Plan of the business.

I suggested getting that strategic plan down to one page. On that page would be written one word at the top, with three themes under it.

A one-word driver with three themes to focus upon to deliver upon it.

One page.

Easy for everybody to understand across the globe for that company at all levels.