The idea that a bystander or outsider often has a better overall view or understanding of a situation than those directly involved.
当事者は感情的になりがちだが、岡目八目で見ると解決策が見えてくる。
Those involved tend to be emotional, but viewed as a bystander you can see solutions.
将棋では岡目八目と言って、外の人の方が先を読むことがある。
In shogi it's said 'okame hachimoku'—people watching from outside can sometimes see ahead more.
会議では第三者の意見を聞くと、岡目八目の利点が分かることが多い。
In meetings, listening to a third party's opinion often shows the benefit of an outsider's perspective.
Derived from go (board game): onlookers can often see several moves ahead better than the players themselves (also written 傍目八目).
試合の解説者は岡目八目の立場で、選手には見えない問題点を指摘した。
The commentator, from an outsider's viewpoint, pointed out issues the players couldn't see.