“Simplicity is the glory of expression”- Walt Whitman.

Simplicity in writing should be the ultimate goal of any writer. Overloading sentences with complicated, misplaced vocabulary places a burden too heavy to carry on the reader. The average reader has a low attention span according to research. The writer therefore must be aware of it and then embark on his writing journey. Most readers don’t take the time to refer to unfamiliar words in a dictionary. That is the reason why any person who is into writing must use simple and understandable words.

Redundancy in any content is unnecessary, and the reader will lose interest in that content soon. This is why I feel simplicity in diction should be the mantra for any writer. Knowing the heartbeat of the audience is very essential. The blog or article must not be boring for the audience, but must be truly engaging with simplicity written all over it. In the profession of writing, political correctness can bring about harmful consequences. Mindfully using a complicated word instead of a simple word is one of the greatest sins a writer can commit. Being direct and concise is the secret to winning over the reader.

Many fear that using simple diction throughout their content would give the impression that they are a petty writer. But the reality is actually the opposite. My strong conviction has always been that there is no better vehicle other than simplicity to transport our ideas to everyone equally successfully. Clutter is a malady. Simplicity is its antidote. So simplify, simplify, simplify.

• When one of Jesus’ most loyal disciples, Peter, denied knowing him three times in public shortly before the crucifixion, Jesus didn’t take offense like many would have. He knew Peter’s heart, so rather than taking offense immediately he waited till the right moment came.
• Jesus instead sets out to restore him. Peter, strengthened by Jesus’ confidence in him, affirms his love for Jesus thrice(the same amount of times he denied him). Jesus would have obviously been hurt, because Peter was one of the closest disciples he had during his sojourn on earth. But Jesus, not being an impulsive leader, calmly talks it out with Peter and brings about a productive result.
• Jesus showed love and mercy. Many leaders believe that leadership often involves being hardline, and he didn’t look for opportunities to be high-handed, indulging in abuse of power. Jesus showed that true leaders don’t abandon people after one failure, but invest in their recovery. Because of Christ’s trust in Peter, Peter eventually died for his Lord proving his loyalty till his last breath.
• Jesus led, but didn’t coerce. That is also the mark of a genuinely admirable leader.

It’s sometimes staggering to think that someone who lived on the earth more than 2000 years ago could give us leadership lessons now and be relevant even today. But that’s how awesome a leader Jesus was.