Since we are on Complexity - Simplify to Simple Plans

Last week I finally finished reading "Extreme Ownership - How U.S Navy Seals Lead & Win" written by ex-navy seals turned business consultants, Jacko William and Lief Babin. The authors give good coverage of the lessons they learned in battles in Iraq while supporting Marines and the legendary 101st Airborne units of the U.S Military. Though I want to cover many things from the book I will focus on one of the key principles they teach "Simplify" since I have been thinking about this

principle today.

They share that combat like anything in life has layers and layers of inherent complexities. Simplifying therefore as much as possible is critical for success. As leaders, we cannot afford to present gobs and gobs of information and not check if the plan, tactic, or strategy we have communicated can be recalled simply by your teammates or troops. The authors opine navy seals are taught to break down complex plans in a series of simple steps and after grouping them rehearsed rigorously multiple numbers of times. Every briefing ensuring the lowest common denominator on the team understands. The lesson here is plans and communication of those plans should be made simple and communicated and practiced a number of times. 

It is not to say projects, tasks and relationships can or always be straightforward and be broken down to simple steps.  Understanding that people always gravitate to the path of least resistance and it's in our nature to resist change can become opportunity spaces for leaders to take some time in attempting to listen and understand legacy archaic layers. Then ask for suggestions,  all the while cutting redundant steps and proposing simpler straightforward action steps. Finally, making sure the teammates retain the simple steps proposed, repeat and practice and finally regular follow-ups will harness the benefits of simplification.