Simplify Work: Crushing Complexity to Liberate Innovation, Productivity, and Engagement

by Jesse W. Newton

In urgent response to the epidemic of crippling complexity affecting organizations around the world, Simplify Work reveals the common sources of this virus and outlines practical steps that can be taken to liberate innovation, productivity, and engagement.Complexity is like a vine that gradually grows and expands, wreaking havoc in organizations and individual lives. Growing complexity has traditionally been met with added structures, processes, committees and systems. Consequently, organizations often become a complicated mess, clouding strategic focus, slowing innovation and breeding complacency. It is no wonder that large organizations around the world are failing at an increasing rate and employee engagement levels have never been so low. Simplify Work reveals the typical drivers of complexity and provides a practical method for simplifying work. Inside, global management consultant Jesse Newton delivers a newfound clarity on the case for simplification and the steps organizations and individuals need to take to unleash its potential. He reveals the common drivers of debilitating complexity and provides a recipe for reducing and removing those things getting in the way of peak performance. Based on the research and experiences of a recognized organization effectiveness expert, Simplify Work leaves readers inspired and equipped to create a new liberating reality in both their organization and their life.

175 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 31, 2020

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book provides insight on a very timely topic that nearly everyone in business is facing today. With the recent WSJ publishing an article about how to stay ahead in the era of constant reorganization and transformation, the concepts of Simplify Work help provide a beacon for where business should be headed. Simplify Work provides specific examples of companies that have experienced some of these problems, as well as companies that have overcome the challenges. It is not designed as a how-to book as much as a thoughtful book that provides key examples to spark your own ideas as a manager or business leader. A key book for anyone looking to take out the complexities and tasks that divert attention away from the critical success factors.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Topical, easy-to-read book and was able to easily read it in one evening. It covers many real life work examples about how the author’s organization helps companies “simplify work”. The content is consistently on message and while it shifts between the professional and personal, the message is focused and clear. I have a list of items to follow up on and referenced youtube videos and articles I want to check out.

While the author is obviously a passionate expert, I wouldn't consider the book *essential* or really covering new ground or new concepts. Much of the content references other disciplines - six sigma, design thinking - without really diving into them deeply enough for the reader to apply them in a meaningful way. It covers well-trod advice that is pretty familiar to any connected person who reads business social media, is on linkedin, reads HBR, is familiar with Apple, or turns on Netflix to watch Marie Kondo. We are too easily distracted, we need to set distilled priorities and goals, communicate more effectively, leadership should set the direction and set workers free to innovate, we should meditate, declutter and turn off our email.

While the author recommends distilling messages into visuals and bullets - the kindle version suffers from a lack of lists, bullets, or consolidated content. The recommendations are redundant at times. The examples are interesting but lack detail and depth. I did find it valuable for a few insights and “reminders”. Maybe that’s the point - no magic here, simplification is about going back to basics and implementing what we already know.

*I received a copy of this book from www.netgalley.com in exchange for an unbiased review.

[John Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simplify anything, including work, sounds reasonably simple to achieve. But as the author reveals it's anything but...in real life. He shows that those who manage to simplify work have made huge gains in income and life. I know when I started my career as a journalist on a city metropolitan newspaper, 50 plus years ago, the mantra was 'simplify'. Try to unravel all the words to find the core message.
The author's experience as a change management business consultant has revealed the pitfalls of unnecessary and often crushing complexity which threatens to strangle good businesses. He not only draws on his professional background but on his everyday work with family and friends. I think this opens the way for the reader to enter and enjoy the author's insights into one of the world's most intriguing big-business empires.

[Rowena Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Jesse Newton’s book, felt like being led out of the jungle, full of tangly vines, thickets and trees not to mention the all the weird noises, into a wide open space where all was clear and calm. In this most timely book, Jesse has expertly revealed every crippling aspect of complexity that most businesses and large corporations adhere to. In ‘Simplify Work’ Jesse has crystallized the problems, giving interesting examples throughout, and then offering clear solutions that are attainable and necessary in order for people to function at their highest and most personally satisfying level. There is a light at the end of the foggy tunnel. Personally, I am inspired to apply Jesse’s many suggestions to my own home business and life in general. It really is very simple! I think this book should be part of every business school’s curriculum. It is clear, concise and cuts right to the chase. Perfect timing. I thoroughly recommend it.

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simplify Work is just that simple. The book gives advice one would usually get from a boss or a simple search on Google. It’s a reminder of our daily complex lives and everything we should be doing to Simplify it. I was not as engaged in this book as I'd like to be. I would love to see this book brought more personal experiences and a unique and voice to simplify tasks mentioned.

Overall, this book is a good read, but it does lack a voice that separates the book from reading the same information on blogs.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.