Less is more
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of The Little Prince, once wrote, "Perfection is attained not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to take away." This philosophy of simplicity shaped his writing, his approach to aviation, and even the way he saw life itself. His work, both in literature and aviation, demonstrated the power of refinement—eliminating unnecessary details to reveal the core of what truly matters.
Yet, despite its effectiveness, few of us strive for this level of refinement. In business, design, and daily life, we often see the illusion that complexity equals intelligence or effort, leading to bloated systems, convoluted workflows, and overwhelming choices. But history, nature and psychology both show that the most impactful solutions are often the simplest. Why do we tend to overcomplicate instead of distilling things down to their essence?
Psychological Trap of Overcomplication
Saint-Exupéry's writing process was famously meticulous—not in adding complexity, but in stripping away anything unnecessary. He believed true clarity required removing the excess. Yet, most of us do the opposite. Overcomplication isn't just a bad habit; it's often a cognitive bias at work. Here’s why we tend to make things more complex than they need to be:
Complexity Bias – Our brains are wired to believe that complex solutions must be superior. We associate effort with value, so we often dismiss simple solutions as "too easy to be right."
Overconfidence Bias – We tend to overestimate our own knowledge and abilities. This leads us to create unnecessarily intricate solutions, believing that a more elaborate approach must be better.
Fear of Being Wrong – Simplicity can feel risky. If a solution is too simple and fails, it might seem like we didn’t think hard enough. Complexity can be a defense mechanism to avoid accountability.
Perfectionism and Overthinking – Some people struggle to stop at "great." They keep adding, tweaking, and refining, believing that complexity will lead to perfection—when in reality, it often leads to diminishing returns.
Where "Less is More" Wins
Saint-Exupéry understood that simplicity wasn’t just an aesthetic choice—it was a functional advantage. Some of the greatest breakthroughs in history have come from stripping away unnecessary elements—not as a shortcut, but as a sign of mastery.
Apple’s iPhone – Take Apple’s iPhone, for example. Its simplicity wasn’t about making things easier for the sake of ease; it was the result of an obsessive understanding of complexity. Steve Jobs and his team didn’t just remove buttons—they reimagined the entire user experience, ensuring that every interaction felt intuitive while hiding immense technological sophistication beneath the surface.
Leonardo da Vinci - Echoes a similar sentiment centuries earlier, stating, 'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.' Both visionaries understood that stripping away the unnecessary was not a reduction of value but an enhancement of clarity and impact. When you look at his work, his designs—do they look unintelligent, lazy, or careless? No, they make you feel full of awe and wonder.
The Compelling Effects of "Less is More"
The idea that "less is more" isn't just a design principle—it's a psychological advantage. Simplicity enhances clarity, makes decisions easier, and creates better experiences for those we seek to serve. Here's why it works:
Cognitive Ease – Our brains process simple information more quickly and effortlessly, making it easier for people to engage with and remember.
Reduced Decision Fatigue – When faced with too many choices, people often feel overwhelmed and delay making decisions. Simplicity removes unnecessary friction and leads to faster action.
Emotional Connection – A clear and refined experience feels more elegant and intentional, building trust and positive associations.
Greater Effectiveness – By stripping away what doesn’t matter, you ensure that what remains has maximum impact.
How to Avoid Overcomplication
If you find yourself overcomplicating things, here are a few ways to bring clarity and simplicity back:
Define the Core Objective – What’s the real goal? Strip away anything that doesn’t directly contribute to it.
Limit Choices – Whether you’re designing a product or making a decision, fewer options often lead to better outcomes.
Test the Simple First – Before building a complex solution, try the simplest possible version. If it works, stop there.
Embrace Constraints – Some of the best creative breakthroughs happen within limitations. Instead of adding, ask: "What can I remove?"
Get External Feedback – A fresh perspective can often highlight unnecessary complexity you may be blind to.
More Meaningful
Saint-Exupéry’s philosophy wasn’t just about writing—it was about seeing the world more clearly. Simplicity isn’t about dumbing things down—it’s about clarity, focus, and effectiveness. The next time you find yourself drowning in details, take a step back and ask: Am I making this harder than it needs to be?
Because often, less truly is more meaningful.
