The Art of Subtraction
In today's fast-paced world, the default tendency is often to add—more possessions, more policies, more meetings. However, the true art lies in knowing when to subtract. Both individuals and organizations exhibit a bias towards addition. This concept, described as "people default to additive transformations," highlights our preference for adding over subtracting, whether it involves possessions, policies, medicines, or infrastructure. Yet subtraction is essential.
Pablo Picasso famously said, "Art is the elimination of the unnecessary." Without subtraction, we lose sight of what is essential. Picasso’s project sought to identify the core lines and features of a given phenomenon. His drawing series, “The Bulls,” illustrates this perfectly. By the end, it’s just a few lines, yet the concept of a bull is unmistakable. This series shows how the essence can be captured with minimal elements.
A compelling story about subtraction is that of Anna Keichline, one of the first female architects in the U.S. In 1927, she invented the "K Brick," the first hollow building block used in the country. Initially met with skepticism about its strength, the K Brick proved to be as robust as solid bricks. This innovation was revolutionary, saving money on materials, being lighter, and offering better insulation. Today’s concrete blocks, seen worldwide, stem from Keichline's courage to subtract rather than add.
Anna Keichline, Patent for “Building Block,” #1,653,771 A, filed March 16, 1926, issued December 27, 1927
The principle of subtracting to add—that less is more—resonates deeply with our motivation at Lead Beyond. We believe that by eliminating unnecessary or distracting details and simplifying to the essence, we can create effective tools for reflection, conversation, and growth.
It is easy to add: more meetings, new products, additional services, more people, extra policies. Daniel Kahneman discusses the action bias that leads people to equate adding more with being productive and proactive. Many organizations suffer from bloated bureaucratic structures, excessive staff, redundant requirements, or additional programming, all of which reduce long-term effectiveness. This is partly because incentives often reward addition, even if it is burdensome.
The truly challenging task is subtracting what has become unnecessary or outdated. It is easy to add a process (everyone does it this way) but far harder to have the courage to remove it. Adding requires little knowledge, which is why new initiatives often duplicate efforts; subtracting demands comprehensive understanding of the context.
In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins emphasizes that companies achieve greatness by focusing on core strengths and avoiding spreading themselves too thin. As we navigate the complexities of modern life and work, we must remember the power of subtraction. By focusing on what truly matters and eliminating the extras, we can achieve greater clarity, efficiency, and impact.
At Lead Beyond, we are committed to this principle, continually refining our approach to deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients. Our Essentials aim to eliminate the noise and distill the key principles to help individuals, organizations, and societies flourish.
Remember, sometimes less truly is more.
Reflection questions:
Where have you encountered the frustration of unnecessary complexity?
What are the “additions” in your personal or professional life that may be hindering rather than helping your growth or effectiveness? How might you begin to subtract these?