The world is a complex, chaotic place. Innovation efforts are all the more complicated because they are directed at an inherently unpredictable future. I’ve said before that the answer to the challenge of this complexity is not more complexity. The answer is simplicity. Simplicity is empowering. Complexity is debilitating. Simplicity creates clarity. Complexity creates confusion. Simplicity is fun. Complexity is frustrating. The key is to be simple, though, and not simplistic

A big innovation project fails. A pseudo-post-mortem reveals that Pat and Chris made decisions that turned out to be wrong. Pat and Chris experience professional consequences: possibly a poor performance appraisal; maybe a low annual salary increase or reduced bonus; perhaps even a formal reprimand, or termination. A task force puts new checks in place to prevent bad decisions, requiring additional layers of higher-level approvals. Teams are trained both in the new processes

Complexity, Simplicity and Innovation The human brain is an amazing thing. It can simultaneously think about mixing the chicken noodle soup while feeling worry about a sick child and wondering where the thermometer is to see if that child has a fever. And while prioritizing the fourteen things that need to be done at work by the end of the day tomorrow. And while humming the latest catchy tune said child plays repeatedly on their iPod so loud you can hear it in the next room.