I was reading Jim Kukral´s Keep it Simple in 2007 article in MarketingProfs, commenting on the new buzzword for 2007: Simplexity. I fully agree with Jim on the “Duh!”, and I began thinking how this relates to management.

Well, in fact, most of the successful tools, theories and ideas in management (in all of its aspects) are stripped from complex processes and requirements. If you have read GTD, The Goal, Execution, How to Win Friends & Influence People, and most of the other bestselling books out there, you will find that all of the concepts introduced are VERY SIMPLE.

But beware, simple is completely different from easy. If you fall into the trap of confusing simple with easy, you won’t succeed in implementing these concepts. Easy gives you the feeling that you don’t need to much effort to get it right. In fact, the ideas are very hard to implement, which doesn´t mean that it can´t be done, is just means that you have to work a lot.

And why are the concepts hard?

1. They require discipline, which not everyone has.
2. Change is needed, and change is hard by nature.

In “How to Win Friends…”, the author begins by giving us 9 suggestions to obtain the most use from the book. These suggestions can be used in everything that you study (in management or not):

1. You must have a real desire to learn.
2. Read each chapter twice.
3. Make regular pauses to think about ways to implement the ideas.
4. Take note of all important ideas.
5. Read the book again often.
6. Use the suggested ideas in all possible opportunities.
7. Turn your learning into a game by setting up rewards and punishment for using the concepts the right or wrong way.
8. Write down your progress regularly, noting the mistakes made, improvements achieved

So, you need discipline, and must be open to change. Simple, right?