The Clearer, The Better

Vagueness, while a subtle enemy, is a greater enemy than complexity. Simple is good. Clarity is better. As helpful as simplifying complexity can be, clarity that a child can understand is better. It might be a subtle aspect of vagueness or complexity that is the root cause opportunity for improvement. While simplifying might overlook something subtle, clarity spells it out. Important difference.

When things aren't going well, life gets more complicated, especially whenever and wherever we are not clear about why, what, and how things aren't going well. When things are going well and things are all clear we sleep better at night even during storms, and life is better.

The "simpler" that is desirable has the uncommon clarity of common sense without missing anything meaningful. Getting things clearer might take more thought initially but more complete and accurate clarity is apt to yield better, faster, lower cost results overall.

Many forms of obfuscation (concealment of meaning) foster vagueness and can happen for sometimes subtle, but almost always knowable reasons. Root cause clarification for obfuscation will reveal meaningful improvement opportunities.

Key performance measurement, monitoring, and management systems, personality and behavioral profiling, practices of advanced science and improvement programs applied to business are all potential power tools in the hands of those who are suitably enlightened in the vital basics of business and appreciate the perpetual advantage of clarity.

Shine a Light on It

Darkness, lack of visibility, confusion, go hand in hand. Sometimes all it takes to solve a problem is to shine a light on it. In the full light of day, some problems even go away. Stumbling around in the dark can be hazardous.

People who want to hide things tend to work in the cover of darkness. Shining the light tends to curb or combat nefarious temptations. That's the beauty of open book management. It can be unsettling for those with something to hide, but it really will produce better results overall.