The Better Leader Newsletter (Striving for Simplicity)

It can be hard to fight for simplicity in a world that drifts toward complexity.

In my last Better Leader Newsletter, written more than 2 years ago (!), I made this comment:

Thank you for joining me thus far. I’ve only scratched the surface of what it means to lead well. My journey is far from over, and God’s not finished with me yet.

As I began to evaluate writing for the Better Leader Newsletter again, I knew I wanted it to be different.

One change I knew I needed to make was to simply the format. Instead of making the newsletter needlessly complex, I would make it simple enough so I could write more frequently and (hopefully) make the insights more sticky.

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It’s easy to create things that are complex. Why?

I believe we like complex in part because it makes us feel smart, accomplished, qualified, worthy. Complexity masks insecurity.

For the last two years, I’ve sought to fight hard against complexity and strive for simplicity. Simplicity leads to clarity, and clarity allows you to do excellent work.

Part of that fight against complexity has been to solidify my own personal mission statement, which now reads like this:

To magnify the power of the One True God by humbly embodying clarity, simplicity and excellence in every area of my life.

My journey is far from over, and I know there’s so much more to learn. But I am confident of this:

Simplicity scales. Complexity fails.

It’s true in your personal life, it’s true in your marriage, it’s true in your family, and it’s true in your leadership.

Where are you drifting to complexity, and how are you fighting against it to maintain simplicity in your life?

To better leaders,
Thomas