Overcomplication Culprit #6: Cognitive Bias

 Why Your Brain Might Be Working Against You

If you’ve ever wondered why your team gravitates toward complicated solutions or why you yourself sometimes feel more comfortable adding layers? you’re not alone. There’s a hidden force at play that impacts nearly every decision we make: cognitive bias.

Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts. They help our brains process information quickly, but they can also distort reality and lead us directly into the arms of unnecessary complexity.

In the world of decision-making, there’s one bias that shows up time and time again: Complexity Bias. The natural tendency to believe that complicated solutions are superior to simple ones.

Why Complexity Feels “Smarter”

When faced with a problem, most people feel pressure to “prove” their intelligence or value. The result? Teams start building multi-step processes, introducing expensive software, or launching task forces. All before stepping back and asking: Is there a simpler way?

Complexity bias convinces us that simplicity looks lazy, or worse incomplete. But that’s a lie our brain tells us.

The Danger of Invisible Biases

Cognitive biases aren’t limited to complexity alone. They show up in ways that entrench bad decisions and prevent clear thinking:

• Confirmation Bias: Only seeking information that supports your existing idea.
• Sunk Cost Bias: Doubling down on a bad decision because you've already invested time or money.
• Authority Bias: Believing something is true just because a senior leader said it.
• Status Quo Bias: Avoiding change because “we’ve always done it this way.”

These biases reinforce complexity. Once a complicated solution is in motion, these mental traps make it hard to unwind.

How To Fight Cognitive Bias and Win Back Simplicity

Awareness is the first step. But awareness alone isn’t enough. You need habits that challenge complexity bias before it takes root.

Here are five practical tactics:

Tactic	How It Helps
Ask: “What’s the simplest solution?”	Forces a pause before overbuilding.
Use external perspectives	Outsiders aren’t attached to current processes.
Build decision frameworks	Prevents reliance on gut feelings or biases.
Challenge assumptions openly	Normalize saying: “Is this really necessary?”
Reward simplicity	Celebrate simple solutions publicly.

Final Thought: Simplicity is a Skill

Complexity happens automatically.

That’s the power of recognizing cognitive bias. It explains why your brain defaults to overcomplication but also shows you the path out. The leaders, teams, and organizations that win long-term are not the ones who build the most elaborate systems. They’re the ones who build what works and remove what doesn’t.

In every challenge, ask yourself the simplest, most powerful question of all:

“How can I Paint It Red?”

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