Occam's Razor

When we face multiple explanations for a situation, we should start with the simplest one that adequately fits the facts. Occam’s Razor reminds us not to assume complex motives or hidden causes when a straightforward explanation will do.

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Now, back to the Occam's Razor⏬

What would happen if you stopped jumping to complex explanations and started solving problems from the simplest point forward?

A while back, I sent a message to one of our engineers on a Friday. Just a quick follow-up on a design hand-off. Nothing major. It was a polite “Hey, just wanted to make sure you saw the update.”

And then… silence.

An hour went by. Then the afternoon. Then the entire day.

And I started to freak out.

Maybe he thought I was overstepping. Maybe he was annoyed that I was pushing for a change so close to the weekend. The more I thought about it, the more personal it felt.

By Monday, I was convinced something was wrong. I’d built a full story around it — motives, emotions, all of it — based entirely on one unanswered email message.

Finally, during stand-up, I mentioned my message.

He looked up and said, “Oh I’m sorry. I totally missed it!”

That was it. The entire “problem” vanished in a sentence.

And I just sat there, realizing how much time I’d spent building complexity around something simple.

That’s when Occam’s Razor came to mind, the old philosophical principle that says, “The simplest explanation is usually the best one.” When multiple explanations could fit, start with the one that makes the fewest assumptions.

In theory, we all get that. But in practice—especially at work—we forget.

When someone doesn’t reply to an email, we assume they’re ignoring us. When a project goes sideways, we imagine hidden politics. When feedback feels off, we jump straight to they don’t trust me instead of maybe they just phrased it poorly.

Our brains love filling in blanks with complexity. It’s faster and somehow more satisfying than assuming something ordinary—like bad timing, missed context, or a simple human error.

Occam’s Razor reminds us to pause before we pile on assumptions. To look for the clean, straightforward explanation before constructing elaborate ones. It’s not telling us to ignore nuance or pretend everything’s fine. Instead, it’s a reminder to resist the urge to dramatize uncertainty.

If the code isn’t working, check the syntax before rewriting the system. If someone seems distant, assume they’re busy before deciding they’re mad.

Most of the time, it’s not a conspiracy or a grand failure.

It could just be a just a missed message… on a Friday afternoon.

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Occam's Razor: When Simple... Nov 14 · Beyond UX Design 10:15   ​

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Occam’s Razor originated with the 14th-century philosopher and theologian William of Ockham. He argued that “entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity.” So, in simple terms, he said we shouldn’t add unnecessary layers to an explanation when a simpler one already fits the evidence.

The principle evolved from medieval theology into a cornerstone of scientific reasoning. Notable thinkers like Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein echoed this idea in different forms. In modern science, medicine, and engineering, it’s a guide for hypothesis testing—start simple, and only add complexity when the evidence calls for it.

But outside of science labs, the same principle applies to the daily collaboration of cross-functional teams. Human interactions tend to be messy, and we often overcomplicate them with assumptions. When a colleague misses a meeting, we might assume they’re disengaged or disrespectful. But, more likely… They probably had a scheduling conflict or simply forgot. Occam’s Razor helps us to remember to pause before attributing intent or complexity where no intent or complexity ever existed.

It’s important to remember that most bugs, misunderstandings, or team conflicts, more often than not, stem from something simple. Maybe a missed dependency, unclear communication, or incorrect assumptions, rather than elaborate sabotage or a deep system failure.

When it comes to team dynamics, Occam’s Razor encourages psychological safety and reduces unnecessary friction. When disagreements pop up, applying this principle can de-escalate tensions by inviting curiosity over blame. For example, when feedback seems harsh, the simplest explanation might be poor timing or unclear wording, not malicious intent or some ulterior motive.

Leaders and peers who practice this mindset tend to cultivate trust. They approach confusion or conflict by asking, “What’s the simplest explanation consistent with the evidence?” first. That simple reframing can transform tense meetings into productive, collaborative discussions.

In troubleshooting or operational reviews, the same logic should apply. Teams will often jump to exotic causes—maybe a rare edge case or a mysterious API bug—before checking the basics first. Did we try turning it off and on again? Is the cable faulty? Are there mispelled variables? Have the access tokens expired?

Starting with the simplest explanation often saves us a ton of time.

Occam’s Razor also helps us balance accountability with empathy. The idea isn’t to excuse poor behavior or sloppy work, but it can help prioritize the likelihood of one scenario over the dramatic imagination of another. Once the simple explanations are ruled out, then it’s appropriate to explore more complex causes. But it takes a bit of discipline to resist complex narrative until the evidence actually calls for it.

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🎯 Here are some key takeaways

1️⃣ Start simple before assuming complexity: When conflict or confusion arises, think about what the most direct explanations are first. People forget things, and misunderstandings happen. Begin there before building theories about malicious intent or messy politics.

2️⃣ Use it to lower emotional temperatures: Applying Occam’s Razor in tense moments can help depersonalize tense moments at work. Instead of thinking “they don’t respect me,” think, “maybe they misheard or missed the message.” That small shift can change the tone of your response and lead to a better outcome for everyone.

3️⃣ Debug human systems like technical ones: When projects stall, check the simple stuff—alignment, clarity, communication—before assuming a deep cultural or structural problem. Simplicity often explains dysfunction better than drama.

4️⃣ Don’t weaponize simplicity: Occam’s Razor isn’t telling us to ignore nuance or complexity. Think of it as a starting point, not a gospel. Don’t outright dismiss complex realities. Explore them once the basics are ruled out.

5️⃣ Build team habits around verifying assumptions: During retros and postmortems, make it normal to ask, “What’s the simplest explanation that fits here?” This can prevent blame spirals, and it builds a culture of shared, level-headed reasoning.

Learn more about the Occam's Razor!

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