Obliquity

The most fascinating book blurb i’ve read all month long. (And i’ve read many)

Quote

If you want to go in one direction, the best route may involve going in another. This is the concept of ‘obliquity’: paradoxical as it sounds, many goals are more likely to be achieved when pursued indirectly. Whether overcoming geographical obstacles, winning decisive battles or meeting sales targets, history shows us that oblique approaches are the most successful, especially in difficult terrain.

In this forthcoming book, John applies his provocative, universal theory to everything from international business to town planning and from football to managing forest fires. He shows why the most profitable companies are not the most profit-oriented; why the richest men and women are not the most materialistic; and why the happiest people are not necessarily those who focus on happiness.

Unquote

More here (John Kay’s website) (HT to Tim hartford)

P.s – There. We’ve done up this week’s blog post quota :p, have we not ? 

Quite determined, i really am, to keep the blog up – in truth though, i am finding it pretty hard to find the motivation. It sort of explains why most of the stuff i write up is awfully boring. No ?