Are you too complex?

Virtually all organisations seek ways to simplify their operations. Complex and opaque processes cost companies a fortune, frustrate employees, and dissatisfy clients. What is often overlooked is that you can be an important source of complexity yourself - and the higher you are on the ladder, the more:

1. Are your strategy and goals clear? Ambiguous strategies and goals are the main reason for complexity. Why? Because in absence of clear direction everyone interprets things in his or her own way, creating individual processes. Little alignment equals high complexity.
2. Do you seek perfection? Good in some cases, perfection largely adds complexity since it generates ambiguity until the perfect stage is reached. And ambiguity results in complexity – see point #1.
3. Do you communicate too much? Communication is good, yet it should be to the point, intentional, and structured. Wordy and fuzzy emails and announcements seed complexity in your organisation.

There are more traits that add complexity. But start with these three questions, put them on your desk and check daily: “Today, have I been too complex?”

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