Making the Complex Simple: A Leadership Imperative- Courtney Smith Goodrich
In leadership, complexity is a constant — technical intricacies, operational puzzles, regulatory mazes. But one of the most overlooked and undervalued skills at the executive level is the ability to simplify.
Simplification is not about dumbing things down. It’s about lifting people up. Helping teams and boards cut through the noise, focus their energy, and take aligned action. And while simplification might sound soft, I’ve learned it’s often the hardest muscle to build — and the most vital one in moments of scrutiny or change.
My Brain is Wired for It — But That’s Only Part of the Story
I’ve always had a brain that likes to break things down. I was the kid who crushed puzzles and blitzed through mazes. There’s a focus my mind goes into when something feels stuck — I can see a way out.
That instinct helps. But instinct alone doesn’t lead. Real simplification takes structure, practice, and coaching. I learned that early in my career, thanks to mentors who didn’t just demand clarity — they taught it.
The 6-Box Rule: From Raw Ideas to Refined Strategy
A former manager at JPMorgan, gave me one of the most powerful tools I still use today. He told me, “Before you write a single slide, draw six boxes on a sheet of paper.”
Six boxes for your key messages. That’s it.
It’s a discipline. What are the six things you’re trying to say? Not twenty. Not twelve. Just six. Start there. Fill in each box. Then sleep on it. And then — refine even further.
Come back and cut your words in half. Then do it again. Keep honing the message until you’ve stripped away everything that’s extra and you’re left with what matters.
This is how I’ve presented complex ideas to executives committees and boards — on location strategy, operational transitions, even crisis response. I don’t overwhelm them with 750 data points. I give them crisp insights, clearly framed, with space to absorb and react.
The 10-Foot Test: Is It Visually Obvious?
Another lesson came from a former JPMorgan Chase CAO when I was there. He told me, “If you want to communicate something important — especially if it’s good or bad — your visual should pass the 10-foot test.”
In other words: Can someone see your slide from 10 feet away and understand what story you’re trying to tell?
This was a game-changer. It taught me that simplification isn’t just about words — it’s about visuals, flow, and emotional clarity. If the message is buried in text or charts, you’ve already lost the room.
Muscle Memory and Mentorship
None of this came from a textbook. It came from people who modeled clarity under pressure — and were generous enough to teach it. They didn’t just critique my slides; they coached my thinking. They helped me build muscle memory around how to start, structure, and sharpen.
So yes, my brain is good at mazes. But what makes simplification my superpower is the system, the practice, and the mentors who taught me to make the complex simple.
It’s not flashy work. But in high-stakes leadership, it’s the difference between confusion and cohesion. Between motion and progress. Between information and insight.
And in moments of transition, ambiguity, or scrutiny — that difference matters.
Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn
