Icarus is the son of a craftsman—Daedalus.
To help the pair escape from Crete, Daedalus uses feathers and wax to create two sets of wings.
Prior to the attempt, Daedalus warns his son to avoid complacency and hubris.
The Icarus Paradox offers a critical lesson on business, investing, and life.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Icarus is the son of a craftsman—Daedalus.
To help the pair escape from Crete, Daedalus uses feathers and wax to create two sets of wings.
Prior to the attempt, Daedalus warns his son to avoid complacency and hubris.
But Icarus becomes amazed by his flight and soars away.
The sun melts the wax on his wings and Icarus falls to his death.
Avoid complacency and hubris at all times.
What makes you successful initially may eventually lead to your downfall.
This is often referred to as "The Icarus Paradox”—it shows up constantly in business, investing, and life:
Overconfidence and success blinds incumbents to the coming wave of disruption.
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