The simple rules for success in business and in life.
Honed over 30 years’ experience, Radical Simplicity is the principle Ken applies to achieving success in both work and life. A collection of learnings, experience and philosophy that have enabled him to transform a loss-making mega brand into a world-class performer – and become one of the most sought-after speakers in the industry.
As global CEO of the world’s best known logistics brand, his approach has always been based on clarity, honesty, respect and an unfailing belief in the power of people to effect genuine change. Why? Because in Ken’s words, “if 90% of strategy is execution, then 90% of execution is people.”
He encapsulates his philosophy in one easy-to-remember phrase: SELF Reflection.
S
S is for Simplicity, which is the overriding principle behind Ken’s approach to work – the framework that provides the architecture of what you want to build. As Ken says, “I look for the things that matter and invest my time in making them better – I simply have no time for anything else.”
E
E is for Execution, the discipline needed to get the right things done right. When you believe you have made the right decision and are following the best path for you, execution is much easier; you can clearly see what’s important to do and what you should stop doing.
L
L is for Leadership, which then empowers and supports every level of the organization to perform and improve. All leaders should be experts and motivators, and leadership starts at home: If you don’t have the personal discipline to lead yourself to where you need to go, how will you be able to lead others?
F
F is for Focus, which keeps the organization on track. The task may seem daunting, so maintaining a single-minded focus on achieving short-term outcomes keeps you on the right path and helps you to ignore the enormity of the task ahead.
REFLECTION
Reflection is what follows, ensuring you stay relevant, and you review, learn and adapt.
Sounds simple? Yes. And No. Driving for simplicity is, in many ways, a lost art. In these highly evolved, technologically complex times, it can be easy to lose sight of what really matters – doing the right things, right. In Ken’s own words, “Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex, but it takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction…”