In the latest episode of Redefining Work, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lisa Bodell, founder and CEO of FutureThink, renowned author, keynote speaker, and simplification evangelist.
If you’ve ever felt bogged down by the “work of work,” this conversation is for you.
Lisa’s insights on cutting through complexity to reclaim time and foster innovation are not just theoretical—they’re actionable and transformative.
Why Kill the Company?
Lisa’s first book, Kill the Company, carries a title so provocative that her publisher almost pulled the plug on it. “If we’re really going to innovate, we have to get rid of what’s not working—proactive obsolescence,” Lisa explained.
Her argument? The most innovative companies are bold enough to identify and eliminate what’s holding them back.
The book introduces a radical concept: disrupting yourself before a competitor does it for you. This philosophy resonates deeply in today’s fast-moving markets.
Lisa shared an example from McGraw-Hill, where leadership allocated $100 million to acquire companies that could put them out of business. “What a cool concept,” she said. “Acquire the people trying to take you down.”
“If you could do anything to put yourself out of business, what would you do?”
This isn’t just a thought experiment—it’s a strategic planning tool that Lisa has deployed at companies like Google, Prudential, and Merck.
Simplicity Is the Front Door to Innovation
Lisa’s second book, Why Simple Wins, dives even deeper into the art and science of simplicity. As she told me, “Innovation isn’t about more ideas. It’s about creating the space to actually act on them.”
In many organizations, complexity becomes the default as bureaucracy grows. Meetings, redundant processes, and ineffective tools are time thieves that drain productivity and morale.
Lisa’s approach to simplicity is about removing these barriers. She asks leaders to create an environment where their teams can focus on what truly matters by eliminating the unnecessary.
“If you just ask people, they are happy to help make things better. But no one asks.”
One of her standout exercises is “Kill a Stupid Rule”. When Lisa runs this session with teams, the room lights up. People eagerly suggest rules, processes, or cultural norms that waste time or create friction. In many cases, these “rules” are self-imposed cultural habits, like overloading meetings or excessive email chains.
The Role of Simplicity in AI Adoption
Of course, we couldn’t have a conversation about the future of work without touching on AI.
While AI promises to automate tasks and boost efficiency, Lisa raised a cautionary point: automation doesn’t always mean simplicity. “AI should free our time to do creative work, but it often doesn’t. Instead, we end up creating more processes and drowning in data.”
“AI should be a vehicle to support our thinking, not a substitute for it.”
Lisa emphasized the importance of maintaining human skills like curiosity and critical thinking in an AI-powered workplace.
These aren’t just “nice to haves”; they’re essential for shaping effective prompts, connecting dots, and generating fresh ideas.
Practical Tips for Leaders and Individuals
As a new leader, how do you bring simplicity into your role? Lisa suggests starting with two principles:
Subtract, don’t just add. Leaders must reward streamlining and efficiency, not just more effort and output.
Model the behavior. It’s not enough to talk about simplicity—you have to live it. Say no to unnecessary meetings and prioritize work that drives value.
For individuals, Lisa recommends the powerful exercise of imagining you could only keep one thing in your life or business. “If you had to cut everything else, what would you keep?” This mindset forces you to focus on what truly matters.
Lisa’s personal hack - “When faced with a decision, instead of saying yes or no immediately, say maybe. Give yourself time to evaluate if it’s really worth your time.”
Curiosity Is Your Competitive Advantage
Lisa and I both agree: the skill of the future isn’t knowing the right answers—it’s asking the right questions.
In an environment overflowing with information, curiosity is the ultimate superpower.
Whether it’s driving innovation, improving collaboration, or leveraging AI effectively, curiosity fosters better outcomes.
Final Thoughts
Lisa’s work challenges us to rethink how we approach innovation, leadership, and time management. Her advice isn’t just for organizations—it’s for all of us who feel stretched too thin by the endless demands of work and life.
So, here’s your challenge: What’s one rule, habit, or process you can eliminate today?
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