Manage Complexity with Simplexity

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, leaders face a daunting challenge: navigating complexity.

When asked how he came up with his “yogisms,” the famous New York Yankee Yogi Berra quipped, “I lean into simplexity,” which offers a powerful antidote to this challenge.

We all remember Kodak, right? Their downfall wasn’t a lack of innovation; they invented the digital camera! It was their inability to see and live up to their true value proposition.

But did you know how Kodak articulated its value proposition when they were unknowingly heading toward the cliff edge?

“Build a world-class, results-oriented culture providing consumers and customers with many ways to capture, store, process, output, and communicate images and pictures as memories, information, and entertainment to people and machines anywhere, anytime; and bring differentiated, cost-effective solutions to market quickly and with flawless quality, through a diverse team of energetic employees with the world-class talent and skills to sustain Kodak as the World Leader in Imaging.”

You can wake up now. It’s a shining example of the word salad corporate speak. It strikes me that they dared to capitalize “World Leader in Imaging” but lacked the courage to live that leadership. When surveyed, Kodak employees gave this the thumbs down, with just 25% agreeing with the statement, “The company’s goals are clear, and I’m invested in them.” So, what didn’t Kodak — and their employees — see?

Kodak missed the fact that their true value proposition was just four words: “Store and share memories.”

“Store and share memories.” This simple four-word phrase could have been their North Star, guiding them toward success in the digital age.

What is simplexity? It’s a play on words, combining simplicity and complexity. Its philosophy emphasizes the distillation of the essentials, embracing clear communication, and maintaining agility while remaining focused on core objectives.

Here are five key principles of simplexity:

1. Focus on the essential: Relentlessly prioritize in a world of information overload. Strip away distractions and focus on the core elements that drive value and results. This might involve streamlining processes, identifying key metrics, employing first-principles thinking, and saying “no” to anything that deviates from your critical path.

2. Embrace clear communication: Jargon, ambiguity, and unnecessary complexity can hinder even the best plans. Simplexity encourages leaders to communicate with clarity and transparency. Use concise language, avoid technical jargon, and ensure everyone is on the same page. Make complex ideas accessible and actionable for all team members.

3. Prioritize agility and adaptability: The business world is unpredictable. Simplexity isn’t about rigidity; it’s about embracing flexibility while maintaining a core focus. It’s about having systems and processes that can adapt to changing circumstances without losing sight of your overall objectives. Be like water, flowing around obstacles and finding new paths to success.

4. Elegant solutions over efficiency: Sometimes, the simplest solution isn’t the fastest or most efficient. Seek solutions that are not only effective but also demonstrate a certain elegance or beauty. This could involve finding creative workarounds, simplifying things to their essence, leveraging existing resources in new ways, or prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term gains.

5. Ask beautiful questions: A significant portion of identifying a strategy lies in clearly identifying the right problem to solve. Spend time framing the problem, understanding its root cause, and ensuring you’re addressing the correct issue.

Simplexity is a call for intentionality and focus in the face of overwhelming complexity. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest approach is the most profound and the most effective. By leaning into simplexity, leaders can navigate challenges, inspire their teams, and achieve remarkable results.

Learn from Kodak’s mistake. Embrace simplexity. Focus on what truly matters. Communicate clearly. Be adaptable. And seek elegant solutions. In a world of complexity, these principles will help you lead with clarity, purpose, and success.

About The Author

From surfing to creating artwork to beekeeping, Steven Morris is an ever-curious brand and culture-building expert, author of "The Beautiful Business," and seeker who's served 3,000+ business leaders at more than 250 companies — discover more at: matterco.co — sign up for his widely read Insights newsletter at: matterco.co/insights