The Four Workarounds

More about the book

Oxford University professor and award-winning researcher Paulo Savaget explores how the most resourceful organizations tackle complex problems and how anyone can apply these strategies in their own lives. We often face intricate challenges at home, work, and in society, and sometimes, despite having ample time and resources, effective solutions remain elusive. In such situations, the answer lies in utilizing a workaround. Savaget's personal experience as a child in Brazil, where his parents saved his life using a simple workaround due to a lack of baby formula, inspired his research into innovative problem-solving methods. He discovered that many valuable lessons can be learned from groups adept at subverting the status quo. Savaget identifies four distinct workarounds: the piggyback, the loophole, the roundabout, and the next-best. Each method is explained, along with guidance on when to apply them. The book features stories illustrating how unconventional approaches have successfully addressed seemingly insurmountable issues, from public urination to delivering essential medicine in remote areas. Savaget highlights how some of the world’s most respected organizations have effectively employed these tactics, demonstrating their potential for widespread application.