Albert Einstein, the German-born physicist and celebrated genius who developed the theory of relativity said, “The definition of genius is taking the complex and making it simple.”

Einstein, the man who also developed the ‘world’s most famous equation’ for mass-energy equivalence (E=mc2), understood the importance of being able to simplify his complex messages to ensure they were understood by the masses.

Simplicity over complexity is vital for effective communication. Anyone can make something complicated. The real skill is to make your message clear and concise so that others can understand what you’re saying.

In more recent times, Einstein’s sentiment was reinforced by Apple co-founder and CEO, the late Steve Jobs, who said: “Simple can be harder than complex. You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”

Before you communicate, get clear on your key messages and keep them as simple and succinct as possible.

It’s not about being patronising or dumbing things down; it’s about being clear and concise, so your message is heard.

Leah Mether helps leaders and aspiring leaders get out of their own way with the development of soft skills (which are actually really hard). She is a speaker, trainer, coach, facilitator and author of the book ‘Soft is the New Hard: How to Communicate Effectively Under Pressure’. You can find out more at https://leahmether.com.au.

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