• What is the concept of flanking?

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    Flanking is a tactical maneuver, often used in military operations and combat sports like jiu-jitsu, where you attack from the side instead of head-on, targeting the enemy's weak point or something they are not actively defending 1.

    In a broader context, explains that the concept of flanking can be applied to leadership, business, and personal interactions. Rather than confronting a strong, well-defended position directly, you should come up with creative, indirect approaches. For example, if someone is firmly committed to an idea or opinion, instead of attacking their stance, you could present a modified version of their plan or compliment them to lower their defenses before presenting your idea 2.

    also discusses using flanking strategies in jiu-jitsu: By attacking the neck, the opponent must defend it, potentially exposing their arm for a submission. This idea of attacking one point to expose another is a form of flanking 3. Additionally, flanking can also refer to maintaining an open field of fire in combat situations, where enveloping an enemy completely might restrict your own options 1.

    Finally, beyond combat and martial arts, flanking is a metaphor for adapting to challenges, solving problems from different angles, and bypassing resistance effectively in everyday life 4.

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