It may feel paradoxical, but in many spheres of life, from business to politics, sport to science, and even parenting, our goals are best achieved when we approach them indirectly. This is the concept of obliquity.
As pre-eminent economist John Kay explains, we rarely know enough about the intricacies of problems to tackle them successfully head-on.
We can learn about our objectives and how to achieve them only through a gradual process of risk-taking and discovery.
Kay’s compelling new idea explains why the most profitable companies are not the most aggressive in chasing profits, wealthiest men and women are not the most and why the happiest people do not set out happiness.
