My job description: Simpler, not easier
I'm good at making complicated things simple(r). Not necessarily easier.
What stratagem do I use?
The reverse of number 20: ?Fishing in clear waters“. This means increasing transparency without reducing complexity.
Stratagem 20 in its classic form (?Trouble the water to catch the fish“) means to use or create confusion and ambiguity in order to gain advantages more easily. You muddy the water so that fish are more likely to swim to the surface, where they can inevitably be caught with less effort (Senger 2004: 156-178).
The opposite doesn't automatically provide relief. There is greater clarity, but this doesn't necessarily make solving a problem any easier.
You say what's the matter, what's hidden beneath the surface. You reduce the surprise factor without necessarily being closer to the solution.
The job description behind this is called analyst, psychologist, counsellor or lawyer.
Source
#36stratagems