Executive manager and philanthropist Sam Kazran is drawing attention to a pervasive leadership gap affecting professionals, teams, and organizations: the loss of clarity resulting from overcomplication and hesitation. Drawing from his experience leading teams under pressure, Kazran observes that many individuals mistake constant activity for genuine progress, leading to stalled projects, burnout, and unmade decisions.
"I've watched capable people get stuck not because they lack skill, but because everything around them feels louder than it needs to be," Kazran said. "When there's too much noise, people stop moving." Research indicates this problem is far more common than many realize. According to Harvard Business Review, 67% of initiatives fail due to unclear priorities and slow decision-making. McKinsey research shows workers spend up to 60% of their time trying to understand unclear tasks or expectations. The University of Texas found decision fatigue can reduce accuracy by up to 50% after repeated choices. Project Management Institute data reveals teams with unclear ownership are three times more likely to miss deadlines. Atlassian research indicates over 70% of employees say meetings often slow work instead of helping it.
Kazran emphasizes that none of this stems from laziness. "Most people are working hard," he said. "They're just operating inside systems that are too complicated to support good decisions." He clarifies that clarity is not about doing less work but about doing the right work. He recalls moments in his career where simplifying systems led to immediate improvements. "I once stopped a project halfway through because the process had too many steps," he said. "We cut what didn't matter, and the team finished early. Stress dropped almost overnight." Clear goals, simple language, and defined ownership enable people to act with confidence rather than waiting for permission. "When people know what matters, they don't freeze," Kazran added. "They move."
Kazran encourages individuals to start small by taking responsibility for clarity in their own work and lives. He suggests simple actions such as writing one's main goal in one sentence, limiting decisions to three options whenever possible, cutting one unnecessary meeting or task weekly, asking one clear question instead of sending lengthy messages, and taking five quiet minutes before making pressured decisions. "You don't need permission to simplify your own system," Kazran said. "Clarity starts with one decision." He believes restoring clarity is a shared responsibility that doesn't require a formal title, just the courage to ask what actually matters and act on it. He urges professionals, parents, and leaders at every level to pause, simplify, and choose clarity over chaos.
Overcomplication and decision paralysis occur when individuals or organizations add unnecessary steps, information, or approvals that slow progress and increase stress. Often mistaken for careful planning, these patterns are a leading cause of missed deadlines, burnout, and stalled momentum. Research demonstrates that simplifying systems, clarifying goals, and reducing noise significantly improve decision-making and outcomes. For more information on related research, visit https://hbr.org and https://www.mckinsey.com.
