Strategically incompetent

There are certain secrets for getting ahead in life that only work because they remain secret: as with magic tricks, they cease to be effective once everyone knows how they’re done. So I probably shouldn’t be using the pages of this magazine to spread the word about “strategic incompetence”, one of the sneakiest methods for getting your own way at work or at home. Nevertheless, here goes: if there are tedious and effortful tasks you’d prefer to avoid… simply pretend you can’t do them. Aggravated that it’s your turn to organise an after-work event for you and your office colleagues? Screw it up – while giving every appearance of doing your best, obviously – and it’ll never be your turn again. The