John Gall was an author, a pediatrician, and he was particularly interested in what makes complex systems work. And what he realized through his research was that all complex systems that work are based on simple systems that work. And thus, Gall’s Law was born.
It’s because of this law that it’s possible for even the most complex idea to be taken down and back to its original simple system, and to explain that simple system as a baseline for helping people to understand the more complicated version of it.
This principle relies on the fact the the complex idea, the complex system, actually works. If it does, then you can reverse engineer back to the simple system. If you’re trying to introduce or even come up with a new idea, a new system, a new solution that will work, the place to start is the simple system that works.
This is why when it comes to message design, finding that core message, the simplest, strongest statement of what you do and why your audience would care, is so important.
Gall’s Law explains not only why it’s possible to explain even the most sophisticated ideas simply, but why it’s so important to start your message design from the core, from that simple system. That simple system for a new idea is its argument, that core case for why it exists.
What question does it answer?
What principles are is it based on?
And how do those combine to create the new idea?
If that argument for the idea works, then the idea will work. Everything depends on execution and implementation, of course. But in principle, it will work.
So next time you’re figuring out how is it that I can introduce our big idea simply, go back to the core. And if you’re trying to find a new idea that you’re sure will work, again, go back to the core.