One of the most powerful qualities is the ability to simplify; simplify the complex, simplify the hard, simplify the long-term.

That applies in a number of ways; how you think, how you communicate, how you plan, how you act.

Having a crowded diary is great and makes you feel wanted and value add, but is it efficient, is it efficient and simple?

Does creating 30 slides add value or does it just to cement the position that the project / initiative is too complex to deliver?

Do I need to create a word salad for each answer to a question?

Is what I’m doing right now adding value today or in the next six months? The simple equation of time spent and personal value added.

I remember being coached that the best presentations last for 20 minutes and have 10 slides and if you’re given a time slot under 20 minutes then remove a slide for every two minutes underneath. Tha approach drives brevity and construct in the message but it also ensures you literally have to ‘present’ the material as opposed to just read each point on the slide.

I also never say “this is a really complex area, so I’ve simplified it for you”, that leaves the audience suspecting you’ve left things out which they would like to see and you’re patronising them.

Go in a different direction by saying “Here’s some core principles we can all agree on”, because Simplification is vital, but people don’t want to be told they need to simplify, they like to think they can handle the complex, they can understand networks.

Realising you need to simplify for yourself, but also simplify for others will payoff in many areas.