Trim the Fat, Reap the Rewards

In a world where more is often mistaken for better, true effectiveness lies in how much you can remove while still retaining the essence of what matters. Whether it’s crafting a concise email, delivering a powerful presentation, or defining a focused strategy, simplicity isn’t just a stylistic choice—it’s a necessity.

“If you care about being thought of as credible and intelligent, do not use complex language where simple language will do.” - Daniel Kahneman

When you’re writing an email, ask yourself: how much of this can I cut while still conveying the key message? Most emails can be shortened by half without losing any crucial information. Not only does this respect the recipient’s time, but it also increases the chances that they’ll actually read and understand your message.

Presentations benefit even more from this principle. Many of us have sat through endless slideshows crammed with text, charts, and bullet points—only to walk away remembering little. By contrast, a well-crafted presentation keeps our focus on key points and complements the voiceover. When less information is thrown at an audience, they’re more likely to remember the key points.

Simplicity demands more of the creator than the consumer. It’s much harder to trim a 1,000-word draft down to 300 meaningful words than it is to just keep adding. However, the reward for this effort is clearer, more effective communication that is easier for the audience to absorb.

In a strategic context, simplicity is equally crucial. It’s easy to develop complex plans with multiple layers, but the most successful strategies are often the simplest. They focus on a few key goals and discard anything that doesn’t directly contribute to achieving them. Complexity can easily become a trap, leading to confusion, misalignment, and wasted resources.

Remember, simplicity on the creator’s end leads to clarity on the audience’s end. Whether you’re writing, presenting, or planning, always ask yourself: how much can I remove while still keeping the important parts? The answer is usually, “More than you think.”

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This post is an excerpt from my upcoming book, a practical handbook for executing strategy from an operator’s point of view. Drawing on decades of real-world experience, it’s designed to help leaders turn strategy into action through clear, actionable steps. Stay tuned for more insights and updates as we get closer to launch!