Simplicity is Genius
October 1, 2010
By Dan Nielsen
dnielsen@nihcl.com

I am currently studying... note that I did not say just “reading”... a simple book entitled Simplicity is Genius.  The short, very much to-the-point book was written by Criswell Freeman and published by Delaney Street Press.

Overwhelming information, innovation and distractions are racing toward each of us every day, not unlike a huge tsunami.  In fact, in many ways, very much like a tsunami.  How will you optimize and how will you manage, or at least cope with this ever increasing information and innovation tsunami?     

Great leaders... those who strive for lasting excellence... and for continuous improvement in their leadership actions and results... focus on simplicity.  They know that Simplicity is Genius.  These leaders know that the world in which we live is constantly churning out more and more complexity.  These leaders know that increasingly in the future, ‘Simplicity will be Genius!’

The most effective leaders of the future, like the most effective leaders today, will be those up-and-comers who continuously and very carefully determine what is most important... and then focus, like a laser, on those few things they have determined are most important.  The items that don’t make the short “most important list” will either be delegated or basically ignored.  If the items on the “most important list” are the right ones, the 80/20 rule will overwhelm and overcome all the other issues and distractions that did not make the list.

In his small, simple book Freeman presents excellent food for thought... and action regarding:

• Your Complicated World
• Principle 1:  Unclutter Your Mind
• Principle 2:  Clarify Your Personal Mission
• Principle 3:  Prioritize or Be Prioritized
• Principle 4:  Learn to Say “No”
• Principle 5:  Cut the Clutter
• Principle 6:  Do It Now
• Principle 7:  Control Your Possessions
• Principle 8:  Uncomplicate Your Relationships
• Principle 9:  Control Your Appetites

None of these principles are new.  However, all of these crucial principles are worthy of being revisited from time to time, particularly by anyone who understands the incredible power and synergy of Leadership Excellence and Simplicity.

More than ever, now and in the future... Simplicity is Genius!  

Copyright © 2010 by Dan Nielsen