"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" (Leonardo da Vinci) (2024)

We are all familiar with the KISS, right? Well, doing an online research about it, I found an interesting second approach on the subject: Keep It Super Simple. Let's agree that the stupid was somehow a little judgemental...

When delivering training programs across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, I have always emphasised that people in general may tend to confuse simple with easy. Let's give an example: a gentleman is walking down the street when he sees someone struggling with a flat tyre, opening the trunk and showing uncertainty on how to proceed. The gentleman happens to be experienced in that regard, offers his help and doesn't take five minutes to solve the problem. Thus, this particular task was simple from the beginning (release the pressure on the rim's screws, elevate the car with the jack, remove the rim with the flat tyre, place the spare one, etc.) nevertheless being easy for the gentleman and quite difficult for the car driver. Simple does not mean easy. Simple can be difficult. The beauty of this is that in most of the cases, simple will only be difficult for a while, as per opposition, complex (the contrary of simple) can remain difficult most of the times.

One could say that simplicity lies in the concept, the understanding, the clarity, and easiness or difficulty in the execution, the task. And why can this become so relevant in the business environment, specially in sales, business development and project management? Let's give another example: in the sports betting world, a customer can choose from over 200 different markets (bet options) in a single football match. If the Sales Agent says to the customer: - you can choose from 200 different bets in this game, it is really easy - and if the customer sees a lot of options that he does not understand? He might find it very difficult and give up on it. Why? He was told that it was easy, but he realises the opposite and tends to reject the pain of a massive task ahead. On the other hand, if the Sales Agent's approach was: - It is really simple, despite having 200+ options, start by focusing on the ones that you know well and start betting with those, later you can learn the other ones and start using it in future tickets.

It is clear that the second approach was far more effective, as per the initial powerful statement - it is simple - followed by an experimentation strategy that is based on the real capability of the user, unlike the first one - it is really easy - that will lead to frustration and eventual abandonment. And we are talking about decisions that are made in seconds, and that can impact the user's perception for a long time.

In summary, simplicity is quite the thing, and starting by not confusing it with easiness can make the difference when it comes to effectively communicating the way to go to others. Simple is the magic word, even if the task ahead is difficult. A last example? It is simple to get financial security in life: just save 30% of your monthly income and do not touch it for 5 or 15 years depending on your age. But is it going to be easy? Maybe not if you have to renounce to a number of things such as the gym and going out for dinner 2 times a week. But it remains simple. Now, if someone tells you that it is easy to get financial security in life, it will sound suspicious, although tempting. As someone I like very much uses to say: "There are no free lunches"

"Simple: plain, basic, or uncomplicated in form, nature or design; without much decoration or ornamentation" (Definition in Oxford Languages)