I have heard a couple of times that people say, “Rev. Byeong always thinks too simply.” That is true. Perhaps I have been this way since birth, but I also think this tendency has developed intentionally over the years.
Looking back, I believe I became deliberately simplistic after I started the LPM ministry more than twenty years ago. This became even stronger as I worked to establish a university and now manage it. “Make it simple!” has become one of my personal slogans.
Why Is It Necessary to Keep Things Simple?
I once read an article that said, “Simplifying complex things is also an ability.” I strongly agree.
Some people make simple matters unnecessarily complicated. As a result, things become harder than they need to be. People waste energy on unnecessary details and, eventually, lose sight of what really matters.
Why do people fall into the trap of complexity? Perhaps we sometimes think that something important must also be complicated. But is every difficult-looking problem really complicated? Does leadership require complicated solutions?
I don’t think so.
When leaders cannot simplify complex situations, their followers may also become confused. People who trust their leaders can easily follow them into unnecessary complexity. Before long, everyone is spending more energy on the process than on the purpose.
So, what does it mean to “make it simple”? Why is simplicity necessary?
Let me summarize it in four ways.
1. Accept Other People’s Opinions Whenever Possible
People are often reluctant to approach a leader who is too stubborn.
Of course, there are some things that should never be changed—principles, values, and essential commitments. But apart from those, there is usually room for flexibility.
If someone suggests doing something tomorrow instead of today, changing the font size, using a different picture, or making another small adjustment, why should I always say no?
If it does not affect the essential purpose, accepting another person’s opinion may be wiser than insisting on my own way.
Not every issue is worth a battle.
2. Avoid Unnecessary Quarrels
Whenever many people gather, disagreements are inevitable. Sharing different opinions is healthy and necessary. But a leader does not need to become involved in every disagreement.
We should listen to different opinions, but there comes a point when continuing the discussion no longer produces anything useful.
I have often found that some arguments consume a great deal of energy without improving the final decision.
A wise leader knows when to discuss—and when to stop discussing.
3. Keep the Process Simple
Simplicity is also a leadership skill.
Good leadership means helping things move forward as quickly and smoothly as possible. We should keep the process clear and avoid creating unnecessary knots in our work.
Sometimes the problem is not the work itself. The problem is the complicated process we have created around it.
Good leaders untie knots; they do not create more knots.
4. Know When to Stop the Conversation
I have noticed that conversations can sometimes continue far beyond what is necessary. We ask the same question again, receive the same answer, and then ask another question about the same thing.
I think three steps are often enough:
Question → Answer → Acceptance.
Period!
Of course, important matters may require longer discussion. But when people continue asking the same questions simply because they are unwilling to make a decision, the conversation becomes unproductive.
Some people want to continue a discussion seven times when three times would have been enough. I don’t think that is wise.
Why Should We Make It Simple?
The answer is simple.
We make things simple so that we can accomplish the work entrusted to us as effectively as possible and within the given deadline.
Simplicity does not mean doing things carelessly or choosing the easiest way just because it is easy.
Rather, it means not wasting our limited energy on things that do not matter.
Every person has limited energy, limited time, and limited concentration. If we spend those resources on unnecessary arguments, complicated procedures, and minor details, we will eventually have little energy left for the things that truly matter.
That is why I say:
Make it simple!
Do not make simple things complicated.
Do not fight over things that do not matter.
Do not spend tomorrow’s energy on today’s unnecessary arguments.
Keep the main thing the main thing.
Because if we waste our energy on too many unnecessary things, we may eventually lose our focus—and when our focus is gone, failure may be waiting for us.