The Leader's Almanac

Down-to-earth news for people who cultivate leadership in organizations

Leadership and Simplicity

by Beth High
High Road Consulting

What does simplicity fit into the multidimensional task of leading? How is the theme woven throughout the fabric of leadership? Perhaps the best way to identify where simplicity plays a role in leading is to look at it's opposite: complexity. Wherever there is complexity, there is the opportunity to simplify.

I'm a confessed "WingNut", that is, an avid devotee of the series The West Wing. I like that the stories are built around current topics and that the characters struggle with the same issues of leadership I see my clients facing every day, even though the stakes may be a bit higher. The stories are rich and thought provoking. During one episode the President is being accused by his staff of wimping out, of not making the tough calls during his last days in office. He pushes back identifying all the issues that are coming at him from all directions: violence in the Middle East, scandal in his cabinet, budget issues that could shut down the government, party politics galore. Finally, in a one on one, his senior aide Josh Lyman points out that the President's days in office, and therefore his opportunities to impact the world at this level, are limited. He looks right at him and says, "Don't let the complexity hypnotize you, make every move count."

Effective leaders are the ones who when faced with complexity, turn to simplicity. They are the ones who "lift the fog", who clearly point out a destination and help us focus on the path to getting there. They clear away the clutter.

We are all subject to clutter and complexity but there are signs all around us, even in our multitasking, more-is-better culture, that drawing on the power of simplicity is worthwhile. The old Nike slogan pares the daunting task of fitness and athletic prowess down to the simple phrase "Just Do It!" The Alcoholics Anonymous slogan "One day at a time" is the lifeline for many dealing with demon that is substance abuse.

What a paradox! How do we as leaders use the power of simplicity to help us cut through the complexity and make every move count so that our values are clear, our vision is clear and our actions challenge, enable and encourage others? Jon Kabat-Zinn, in his remarkable book Wherever You Go There You Are, offers us the concept of "voluntary simplicity".

"Voluntary simplicity means going fewer places in one day rather than more, seeing less so I can see more, doing less so I can do more, acquiring less so I can have more"

So if simplifying our lives gives us all these great results, why don't we do it more readily? It takes discipline and conscious effort and it is not easy, in fact it's downright tricky. We are constantly presented with needs and opportunities to which we must respond. Kabatt-Zinn goes on to say:

"The impulse frequently arises in me to squeeze another this or another that into this moment. Just this phone call, just stopping off here when I am going there." (Kabatt-Zinn)

Voluntary simplicity means recognizing this impulse and mistrusting it, and simply saying "no" to it.

"Voluntary simplicity keeps me mindful of what is important, of an ecology of mind and body and world in which everything is interconnected and every choice has far-reaching consequences." "...within the organized chaos and complexity of family life and work, with all their demands and responsibilities, frustrations and unsurpassed gifts, there is ample opportunity for choosing simplicity in small ways" (Kabatt-Zinn)

I think the same opportunities abound in leading. What do you think? Don't let the complexity hypnotize you, intentionally do only one thing at a time and be present for it. Make every move count.

"simplify, simplify" Thoreau, Walden

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by Pat Schally, CPCC
Certified Business and Leadership Coach

She epitomized living simply merely by her existence. She was an elderly woman, proud of her creation in spite of the fact that she was slightly stooped over from years of hard work. Her livelihood, it seemed, depended upon the creation and selling of large, terra cotta clay pots. There she was—80+ years old, white hair, skin dark and deeply wrinkled, teeth red from years of chewing betel nuts—walking slowly in circles around a small table patting her wet, clay pot until it was smooth and flawless. Her life, it appeared, was the highest form and example of a satisfied woman living the simple life. Her home: a small hut on stilts, with no running water or electricity. Her food and water: donated by the village people. Her medications: herbs and bark she carefully gathered in the forest behind her home.

This was one life that I observed while I was traveling in the rural areas of NW Cambodia last month. Stepping into a third world and observing how people such as the Khmers (Cambodians) could be so happy in spite of their obvious lack of what we Westerners think of a bare necessities, was an awesome, even life-changing experience. Their suffering these past 30 years (four of them under the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge) set them back structurally as a country yet today they seem to have put that behind them. They have gone from being victimized to being a country of ambitious, proud people. They live simply and in gratitude.

David Shapiro and Richard Leider speak to simplifying our lives in their book, “Repacking Your Bags”. They write about another culture in East Africa--the Maasai. Upon unpacking all their high tech gear in front of a Maasai warrior, the warrior simply asked them, “Does all this make you happy?” In that moment his question got them to think about all that they were carrying and why—not just on that trip, but through their lives. The book then goes on to explore ways that we can all lighten our loads by repacking and carrying only what is truly necessary.

Is it possible to look at other cultures and apply it to ours as it relates to leadership style? Can one lead from a place of simplicity? If so, how? Perhaps the first step is to arrange ones business and personal life so as to have the time and energy to do the things that matter most to ourselves and to our constituents. Then, simply--let the rest go.

It seems that, in our country, we are becoming increasingly dependent upon technology to keep us “in touch with the world”. But is that always a good thing? Is being accessed and accessible 24/7 really increasing our efficiency as leaders? What would happen if we released our dependence upon technology (just a little to start) and led with our hearts and with a spirit of personal, one-on-one involvement with our constituents? I believe we would demonstrate a brighter view of our culture as one that can, “Lead Simply, Lead Well.”

Pat Schally, CPCC, is a certified business and leadership coach. She lives in Northern California with her husband and has two adult daughters. She is passionate about coaching business leaders to become champions.

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by Pat by Kraemer Winslow
President and Founder, Make Your Point! Communications, Inc.

What messages from leaders have had impact on you? Are they complicated scholarly tomes? Or are they more often, simple and relevant to you in some fundamental way? You might say of such a message, “It spoke to me.”

Contrast this with complicated speeches when you just want to check out, MEGO Syndrome (My Eyes Glaze Over) sets in and your opportunity to inspire or move people to action is lost in a sea of blahs, certain bury you. Not good. Aristotle said, “It is simplicity that makes the uneducated more effective than the educated when addressing popular audiences.” I am not saying that your education is a drawback--unless you try to impress your audience with everything you know!

Simple messages, communicated with conviction will always be the ones that stick to your audience. It’s when we try to impress with how learned or smart we are that people are more likely to miss the point entirely.

How do you sort through all the possible ways to put together your communication toward the goal of simplicity? Whether you are speaking to your whole company or division or just your inner posse, here are some questions to guide your thinking.

If people remember nothing else, what is it you want them to walk away with? Start with the headline--what is the most important thing you can say to give a context for what is to come--sort of a sneak preview? This is like the headline on a news story. It invites the reader to read more. Does your opening line focus on your listeners and invite them to stay with you -- or do they want to leave mentally, the minute you aren’t looking at them?

What is in it for your listeners? How will they benefit from having listened to you? Will they make or save money? Will they save time? Will hearing what you have to say make them look good? Will they feel more secure? Simply tell your listeners how what you have to say will help them--make them want to listen.

What questions about this topic would somebody ask if you had a lot of time to talk? List the questions then answer them. Generally the questions can be grouped into three (or fewer) buckets or categories. These may become the key points that you will want your listeners to take away. Remember, no more than three points…because additional ones will likely be forgotten. Why? It seems that we are wired to easily remember three or fewer.

Finally, at the end of your communication tell me what you want your audience to do. You may think that it is implied from what you have said. You would be surprised, though, at how many people will appreciate it if you actually tell them exactly what to do. Believe it or not, it actually makes life easier for them to not have to think about it so much. Also, remind them how it will benefit them to take the action.

If you have built the case for 1) why your message is important, 2) told me how it will make my life better if I act, and 3) not overloaded me with too much information, I will be happy to move into alignment with what you are asking me to do.

Happy communicating!

KRAEMER WINSLOW is President and Founder, Make Your Point! Communications, Inc. Kraemer lives in San Rafael and enjoys cooking, all kinds of dancing and outdoor activities such as bicycling and snow skiing.

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by John Ward
President, Many Minds Breaktrough Facilitation

Look 'em in the Eyes Leadership Living simply does not mean that there is a lack of complexity, or even of complications in your life. It means that you have ways to cut through it all, to lift yourself above the fray, to remain sane and wise in spite of the madness around you. I came across a good method recently at a global team alignment where one of the executive sponsors said, “I want to be able to look each one of you in the eyes at the end of this meeting and KNOW that you are 100% behind this project”.

I made this drawing. Simplicity! During the meeting a number of people said to me that they liked the EYES, that they jumped right out of the drawing and said what was most important.” I call it “Look 'em in the Eyes Leadership.” Simplicity!

John Ward is founder of Many Minds Breakthrough Facilitation. John is a corporate process consultant and visual thinker. He lives in Glen Ellen California and enjoys a wide breadth of activities, from Art to Zen.

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By Jeni Nichols
Queen of Connections

“It’s not the tragedies that kill us it’s the messes.” Dorothy Parker. I thought of Miss Parker while I was sorting through the heavy load of my belongings that I packed. We had littered the car with books, maps, clothes, dogs, food, wine, dog food, guide books, dog leashes, laptop, cell phone, MP 3 player, CD’s, dog beds, reading glasses. . . you get the idea. I am on vacation in Mexico, with every intention of relaxing and hanging out, only to find myself digging for yet another set of batteries for the speakers, searching through piles of messes. I realize I am yearning for the simple life, dying to avoid the messes like the one I took with me on vacation. . . . It occurred to me this could be a topic for Leader’s Almanac, and when I told my colleagues the topic was Simplicity I think I hit a nerve. We KNOW the value of simplifying our lives, but what about our business lives and our businesses? My curiosity about this topic took me to the book Conquering Complexity In Your Business by Michael George and Stephen Wilson. To quote them, “. . .portfolio and process complexity is often a larger drag on profits and growth than any other single factor in business.” As a leader, our job is to simplify!

In this edition Beth confesses to being a “WingNut”. . . .an avid devotee to the West Wing TV series. I’m amazed at how she can derive such impactful lessons from TV, which is a lesson in simplicity in itself. . . .getting a rich message out of a simple relaxing activity. . . .watching TV! Beth is truly the master at starting conversations, let this be a lesson for your water cooler chit chat.

Since we’ve all been a victim of MEGO syndrome, don’t miss Kraemer’s article on simplifying your leadership communications. I vicariously experience Pat’s traveling around the world. I hope you enjoy her story from Cambodia. And John’s Look em in the Eyes Leadership is simplicity itself!

So next time you are digging for that AAAbattery for your MP3 player or deciding how to pare down a Power Point presentation. . . .remember to simplify!

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