The Power of Simplicity

“Leadership is not about complexity but about keeping things simple so that others can follow and replicate."

Craig Chong

President and Founder, Fresh Leadership

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Written by: Luke Abernathy

Reflecting on a quote contributed by Craig Chong for Lead Forward's Words To Lead By

Some leaders try to impress others by complicating everything. They make long explanations, overstuffed plans, and confusing directions, hoping their intelligence will shine through in the complexity. But real leadership works in the opposite direction: Strength shows when a leader can take something complicated and make it simple enough for everyone to understand and follow.

Simplicity doesn't mean an absence of effort or thinking. It simply means opting for clarity over confusion. A simple plan gives people something to remember, act on, and repeat. When steps are clear, people feel confident. When steps are overwhelming, even the most capable team becomes unsure.

Suppose for a moment that you are organizing a community event. You can distribute lists of instructions with dozens of details, or you can divide up the effort into three clear tasks: setup, coordination, and cleanup. Most people will execute the simpler plan, not because it is easier, but because the path forward is obvious. Clearly defined steps make it easier for others to contribute and succeed.

Simplicity also helps leadership spread: when your instructions are clear, others can learn from you and lead similar tasks in the future. Simple communication becomes a tool that grows new leaders, not just new followers.

Great leadership is not about a plan's complexity but about the number of people who can confidently execute it. Eliminate unnecessary confusion, and you will be making room for teamwork, creativity, and shared accomplishment.