[Sigia-l] Making the complex simple

[Listera]

Emily Leahy-Thieler:

> I know that keeping my language and deliverables simple is sometimes
> detrimental to my career.

There's a loaded statement. :-) I think you sense that it wouldn't be
sustainable in the long run. Otherwise what's the point of doing what you
do?

This, however, brings up the dirty little secret concerning "deliverables".
People often spend more time and effort on their deliverables than on the
actual design/product. I think I've said enough here on the wrong-headedness
of this 'deliverables culture' so I won't repeat.

> The person who uses the biggest words tends to get the most respect even when
> no one understands what the words mean (and often the substance isn't there).

You may try what I do on most of my projects. Very early on, during my
presentations, I put up a long, extremely dense slide full of buzzwords
that, in the aggregate, amount to nothing. And then I proceed to expound on
it in the most matter-of-fact fashion. It usually takes about a minute or
two for at least someone to get it and chuckle. Then I ask the congregation
if they want me to resort to this language for the rest of the project. By
that time, two fundamental points are established: that I know the lingo
very well and that, by ridiculing it, I allow everyone else to feel secure
and grounded with simplicity.

In the end, one can't make "complex simple" by giving in to complication, no
matter how tempting or expedient it may be.

Ziya
Nullius in Verba