AustraliaAustriaBrazilCanadaChinaCzech RepublicEgyptFranceGermanyGlobalIndiaItalyJapanMexicoNetherlandsPolandSaudia ArabiaSingaporeSpainTurkeyUAEUnited KingdomUnited States As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission when you purchase a book via this site. Posts where this book is embedded Obliquity in a Complex World In a complex world, goals are often best achieved indirectly Books: John KayObliquity By John Kay (2010)Book Purchased: 10 December, 2019 … Continue reading Obliquity By John Kay (2010)
Don’t pursue complex goals directly; adopt an oblique approach. Start by solving specific problems iteratively, remain open to serendipity, and adapt as circumstances change. Embrace uncertainty, see failures as learning opportunities, and trust that by keeping your values in focus, you’ll ultimately arrive at a rewarding destination, even if unexpected. Credit: This insight was inspired … Continue reading Pursue Complex Goals Obliquely Change Insight
I never, indeed, wavered in the conviction that happiness is the test of all rules of conduct, and the end of life. But I now thought that this end was only to be attained by not making it the direct end. Those only are happy (I thought) who have their minds fixed on some object … Continue reading The Indirect Path to Happiness John Stuart Mill
Nurturing an innovative culture goes beyond traditional management and control methods. Many initiatives fail by trying to enforce change through rigid directives, which can backfire. Instead, culture should be seen as emergent, evolving naturally through interactions, flexibility, and supportive environments where creativity can thrive. Continue reading Nurturing an Innovation Culture Allowing emergence, not imposing change
Traditional change management methods, with their rigid plans and fixed outcomes, often struggle in today’s complex, unpredictable environments. Dave Snowden’s Vector Theory of Change offers a more adaptable solution by focusing on setting a broad direction (vector) rather than a specific goal. Continue reading The Vector Theory of Change Navigating change in a complex world
In an unpredictable world, achieving complex goals through direct methods often fails. Traditional, rigid planning can fall apart under changing circumstances. Embracing obliquity—an indirect, adaptive approach—leads to success by allowing flexibility, learning from failures, and focusing on meaningful pursuits. Continue reading Obliquity in a Complex World In a complex world, goals are often best achieved indirectly