Minimizing Complexity

By Tom Schroder, Vice President, Corporate Communications  

There is a movie where a grizzled, old, cowboy is asked the secret of life.  He raises one finger and says, “One thing.  Just one thing.  You stick to that and the rest don’t mean ____.”

Easier said than done, right?

Complexity paralyzes.  It can suck the special out of a great idea.  And along the way, it can frustrate us, slow us down and create swirl.

All of us have been on both sides of complexity:  we’ve contributed to it and we’ve been victims of it.  And let’s face it – we work in a very complicated business and we constantly push ourselves and each other toward excellence.  And so some of what we are dealing with is unavoidable.

We know what complexity looks like:  a meeting or email about a problem or plan.  A lot of voices in the room.  Questions and conversation that become redundant or slowly veer off topic…and put us in the weeds. 

  

So what can we do?  

I’m no expert.  In fact some of you may be thinking: “Really?  He is writing about this?!?"  And so I am going to approach this from two directions:  my personal “tells” that let me know I may be making something more complicated and some thoughts about working through complexity.

Here is when I know I am making something more complex:

·        - I don’t stop asking questions

·        - I’ve lost sight of the original project or problem

·        - I hear myself pushing for my vision of something rather than understanding that those around me have a vision as good or better than mine

·        - I am asking for a third version or beyond of a plan, document, etc.

·        - I stop listening

·        - I am no longer enabling

·        - I stop reading the room, watching people’s faces, really listening to them

And here are some things that may help you solve for complexity in the moment:

·        - See it coming - be sensitive to moments when the conversation wobbles or strays – and call the group on it

·        - Think about the fastest way to get to the end:  Do you need a meeting?  Can you get something done with a phone call?  What about walking to someone’s desk for a face-to-face conversation? 

·        - I want to re-emphasize the above:  we sometimes lose sight of the power and simplicity of a face-to-face conversation

·        - Gather the right people:  think this through in advance, search out the deciders and make sure you have them in the conversation

·        - Ask questions if you don’t understand something or to help re-set the goal.  And if someone asks you a question, remember it’s ok to say you don’t know the answer.

·        - Don’t be afraid to elevate.  We all want to solve problems – but sometimes it helps to lift up something for a gut check or initial direction.  When you do this, it may help to have a solution in mind.  Leaders appreciate team members who present a problem or challenge and a solution or two in the same conversation. 

     And finally, don’t forget the “one thing.”  Whether you are in a meeting, wading through an endless thread of emails, creating a presentation deck – or in the midst of anything that is getting more and more complicated.  Try to keep yourself - and the rest of us – focused on what really matters.  

Tom Schroder is the Vice President of Corporate Communications, 

Universal Parks & Resorts.