The Reason America Won Independence Isn’t What You Think

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Human beings tend to complicate things. We make things harder than they need to be. We build complex plans. We communicate too much unnecessary detail. We add layers and nuance until the people around us don’t actually know what we want them to do. And when people don’t understand, they can’t execute.

That is why simplicity matters.

As America approached its founding, the thirteen colonies were divided by different cultures, priorities, challenges, and ideas about what the future should look like. But in 1776, the Declaration of Independence clarified their grievances and simplified the mission. It took all of the complexity and debate and narrowed it down to a single objective:

“these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved.”

That simple, clear, concise mission gave people something they could support, communicate, and understand. When people understand, they can execute. And that simplified objective enabled the American colonies to win their independence.

At Echelon Front, Simple is the second Law of Combat Leadership. Jocko and I often say that we didn’t invent anything new. The KISS principle—Keep It Simple, Stupid—has been around forever. But we have to live it.

The trap for leaders is thinking we have kept things simple, because it’s perfectly clear to us. But the test is whether the people you're communicating with actually understand. When someone isn’t doing what you think you clearly told them to do, instead of getting frustrated with them, look at yourself, and keep it simple.

This week, look at one place in your personal or work life where people are not executing the way you want, and ask yourself: Have I made the mission simple, clear, and concise enough for them to understand and execute? If not, simplify so they can.

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