Why simplicity is harder (and better) than you think.

The Problem: Complexity Is Tempting, But It Doesn’t Scale

We live in a world that celebrates complexity—more features, more options, more ‘stuff’. It’s tempting, right? But here’s the catch: complexity doesn’t scale.

Steve Jobs understood that the magic happens when you focus on simplicity—but not the "easy" kind of simplicity. The real simplicity. The kind that only comes after hours of refining, reworking, and eliminating distractions. Think about the design of the iPhone, or the clean interface of an Apple product—it’s the result of endless work to simplify the complex.

This was Jobs’s favourite piece of art: Picasso’s minimalist sketches. It wasn’t the first draft. It was the final draft after countless hours of simplification. Picasso started with complexity and slowly distilled it down to the essence. Jobs followed the same approach at Apple. His goal was always to create products that looked simple but were built on deep complexity and thought.

Actionable Insight #1: Simplicity Isn’t Easy—But It’s Worth It

Jobs didn’t just create simple products. He created elegant solutions that took more time, but in the end, were far more sustainable and scalable. The trick wasn’t to make things "easy" or minimalistic just for the sake of it—it was about truly understanding the challenges behind the product and eliminating what wasn’t essential.

If you’re trying to simplify a problem, understand that it will probably take longer than you expect. You’ll have to dig deep, break things down, and then rebuild them. Simplifying isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about getting to the core of the issue and crafting a solution that addresses it in the most straightforward way possible.

Actionable Insight #2: Time Spent Understanding the Core Is Time Well Spent

Picasso didn’t just throw away complexity for fun. He spent time understanding the essence of his subject matter—then worked backward, refining and removing distractions. Jobs did the same. Apple didn’t just build products that were simple; they built products that solved problems efficiently and beautifully, after deeply understanding the problem first.

In your work, take time to get to the root of what you’re solving. What is the core of the issue? What is the real challenge? We often rush to solutions, but the most effective solutions come when we’ve taken the time to truly understand what we’re dealing with.

Actionable Insight #3: You Don’t Need To Be Taught—You Just Need To Be Reminded

We don’t always need new lessons; sometimes, we just need reminders. Jobs used the concept of simplicity to remind himself and his team to focus on what was truly important. Simplicity isn’t something you learn once and forget about—it’s a mindset you keep coming back to.

So, think about your current challenge. What is the core of the issue you’re trying to solve? What can you simplify? It might take longer than you expect, but time spent thinking about the essence of something is time well spent.

Final Thoughts:

Simplicity isn’t just for designers; it’s for problem-solvers. Whether you’re building a product, creating a marketing strategy, or solving an internal process issue, simplicity is often the key to scalability. But here’s the kicker: it takes time. So, next time you’re facing a challenge, think about the core of the issue. Take the time to simplify, eliminate the distractions, and build something that’s elegant in its simplicity. Trust me, it’s worth it.

I can help you build solutions that are both simple and powerful, by working with you to understand the challenges at the heart of what you’re solving. As a strategic consultant, I focus on simplifying complex problems—getting to the core and developing elegant, actionable solutions that scale.

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