“The Art of War” is an influential strategy text studied by corporate strategists and CEOs all over the world. Business is war after all..!

Who was Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu (孫子;) was a Chinese military general and philosopher who lived during the Eastern Zhou period (771–256 BC). The name Sun Tzu means "Master Sun".

He became famous for writing the book “The Art of War” (5th century BC). This book has a significant influence on both Eastern and Western thought. Sun Tzu focused on asymmetrical warfare which means attacking your enemy only if the enemy will not have the opportunity to defend or counterattack.

 

Sun Tzu Teachings

Sun Tzu emphasizes the need for self-awareness and preparation (by studying your opponents). In a business context, this means being aware of your strengths and weaknesses and continually studying your competitors.

These are some of the most influential Sun Tzu teachings:

 

Knowledge is Power

“Know yourself and you will win all battles.”

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

“To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”

 

Avoiding the Battle

“There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”

“The wise warrior avoids the battle.”

“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”

“Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.”

“Who wishes to fight must first count the cost.”

“When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.”

 

Engaging Your People

“Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate.”

“Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.”

“Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.”

 

Deception is the Key

“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”

“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity”

“Be extremely mysterious even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.”

 

The Five Essentials for Victory

“Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory:
1 He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
2 He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
3 He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
4 He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
5 He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.”

 

■ Sun Tzu Teachings

G.P. for TradingCenter.org (May 2024)