"This is not rocket science." and "C'mon, this is not that hard." are heard when stakeholders get frustrated. The implication is people aren't thinking clearly or smart enough for the job.
When this happens ask three questions.
1. Is the wrong person assigned to the task?
2. The right person is assigned, however...
2a. Are they missing some information?
2b. Are stakeholders missing information?
1. Wrong person assigned to the task. Embarrassing a person who is not a good fit for a task is rarely productive. If a person is not up to the task, make a change.
2. Right person but... While it's easy to lob a "C'mon, this is simple" and hope that fixes the problem, if you have the right person assigned to the task, sit down and understand what's happening in greater detail. Repeating "Fix it, fix it, fix it" is wishful thinking.
2a. .... they are missing information. Leading groups is like talking with children - neither are clueless. Consequently, clearly communicate assumptions to reduce confusion. Confusion leads to the unnecessary complexity which results in "What's going on? This is not brain surgery!".
2b. ... they are not at fault. Leading means having abstract/incomplete ideas about what others are thinking/doing. Something may appear simple to stakeholders because complex details are missing. Make time to understand where things are going wrong. It just may be stakeholders need to understand a more complex model of the problem.
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