The complexity trap
How simplicity enhances authority and builds trust.
In the corporate world, few things are as seductive as complexity. It looks impressive, it sounds intelligent, and it signals that the work we do is sophisticated and important. It makes us appear to be working at a higher level. Complexity has become a status symbol for many.
We are also led to believe others require complexity from us. In reporting, there are many regulations and frameworks to consider. Many of these require precise statements and data, often underlined by auditors. The result can be dry, text- and table-heavy disclosure.
So, we fall into the complexity trap. We believe that a more complicated message, delivered in technical language, is more credible. But here’s the truth: complexity disconnects you from your audiences. Information overload – messages filled with jargon, long explanations, or convoluted logic – leads audiences to stop paying attention.
This is not what regulators and lawmakers had in mind. The FRC beats a steady drum about reporting what is material to your business and doing so in a meaningful and engaging way to keep them in the know.
In my first job out of university, I worked for a semiconductor company. I had difficulty explaining to friends and family exactly what the company did. I started from a place of accuracy rather than understandability, telling people, “They make a power management chip that goes into electronic devices and regulates how much power goes to different components from the battery”. Over time, my description changed to “they make microchips that make the battery last longer in iPhones”. Less precise, but relatable and simple.
Less is often more in communication, and unless you are talking to people who really understand your topic, distilling your story into something simple and relatable is key to building rapport with your audience.
Join us later this month for a roundtable discussion on how to reduce complexity and simplify your annual report. We’ll examine how simplicity enhances authority, and how clarity, consistency, and connectivity create memorable stories and build trust.
Get in touch
If you’d like to discuss this, or any other subject, please get in touch with George Luck, Consultant, at george@gather.london
We’d love to know what you think.