Warren Buffett has a knack for distilling wisdom into simple, actionable truths. One of his most pointed observations is this:

“There seems to be some perverse human characteristic that likes to make easy things difficult.”

It’s a statement that cuts to the core of how we often self-sabotage by complicating what should be simple and straightforward.

This tendency can show up in leadership, decision-making, and even daily operations. The good news? Awareness of this habit is the first step to overcoming it. Here’s how leaders can apply Buffett’s insight to simplify processes and unlock efficiency.

Stop Overthinking

Have you ever seen a team spend weeks debating something as trivial as a color scheme for a website? Meanwhile, customers are far more concerned about whether the site loads quickly and works smoothly. This is classic overthinking.

Leaders often get caught in “analysis paralysis,” obsessing over details that don’t move the needle. Instead of getting stuck, ask yourself: “What’s the fastest way to deliver value?” Sometimes, a “good enough” solution is all you need to take the next step. Action beats perfection every time. Stop overthinking.

Keep communication clear and concise

Think about a company where every meeting turns into drama and runs over time, and every update is buried in reports and data to sift through. In that kind of environment, employees struggle to figure out what actually matters.

Clear communication is a game-changer. Skip the corporate jargon and keep things concise. Stick to the essentials, whether it’s an email, presentation, or team update. A simple bullet-point summary or a one-pager can save everyone time and energy—and ensure that priorities are crystal clear. Simplify your systems

Ever seen a small business adopt a massive, feature-packed project management tool when a basic task list would have worked just fine? Overengineering systems creates more frustration than solutions.

The key is to design processes that are easy to understand and replicate. Ask yourself, “Could a new hire pick this up on Day 1?” Start with the basics. You can always add complexity later if you really need it. Focus on first principles

Leaders often overcomplicate strategic planning by chasing trends and using buzzwords. But at its core, good strategy is about solving real problems for real people.

First principles thinking means stripping away assumptions and getting back to basics. Instead of asking, “How do we become a market leader in AI?” ask, “What problems are we solving for our customers?” Start there and build up. It’s amazing how much clarity this approach can bring. Avoid decision-making overload

As a leader, you might face dozens or even hundreds of decisions a day. Trying to personally handle each one is a recipe for burnout—and it slows everyone down.

This is where decision-making frameworks can save the day. Tools like the Eisenhower Matrix help you prioritize by urgency and importance. Delegate what you can, focus on the big stuff, and eliminate low-value tasks altogether. Simplifying how you make decisions leads to faster progress.

Buffett’s quote is a powerful reminder that simplicity often beats elaborate schemes. Complexity might look impressive, but simplicity gets things done. Leaders who embrace simplicity create more agile, innovative, and resilient organizations.

So, here’s a question to leave you with: “Are we making this harder than it needs to be?” The answer could be the key to achieving better results with less effort.