The simplest answer–is often the hardest to believe.

What is it about simplicity that turns most people off? 

It was 19th-century Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis who, after observational studies, first advanced the idea of "hand hygiene" in medical settings.

The simple act of hand-washing is a critical way to prevent the spread of germs. [Wiki]

After his discovery, he spent most of his time trying to convince his dogmatic colleagues.

He largely failed.

Fortunately, he did plant a seed of hope in the minds of Pasteur and Lister, who built upon his work to great acclaim.

As the ‘four-humors’ thesis-based bloodletting approach dominated the thinking of the day–it was inconceivable to most insiders–that such a simple theory as washing hands could solve a centuries-old problem!

The problem is–that the simpler the solution–the more likely it is to get rejected.

For if it were so simple, the negators would have thought of it.

Einstein's presentation on relativity theory was primarily rejected and deemed "totally impractical, and absurd." It took nearly five years for widespread acceptance.

Simplicity in business circles is no different.

In my experience, I have yet to see a board pack of fewer than 100 slides. Or to witness a strategy document of fewer than 10,000 words. 

Don’t be afraid to keep it simple. The goal is to say less but mean more.