Some notes from The Art of War, written more than two thousand years ago by the mysterious warrior philosopher Sun Tzu.
Sun Tzu’s writings apply to competition and conflict in general, on every level from the interpersonal to the international.
His aim was invincibility, victory without battle and unassailable strength through understanding of the physics, politics, and psychology of conflict.
Sun Tzu said:
“Know yourself, know your opponents; one hundred battles, one hundred victories.”
Other Philosophers during this Warring States Period in China (772-221 B.C.) included Lao Tzu, Sun Bin and others who advised the sovereigns of the many states in China who were always in conflict around that period.
They were known as ‘Bing-Fa Masters’ or masters of soldier law and wrote many classic Bing-Fa texts written during that period including Tao Te Ching and the I-Ching (The Book of Changes).
One classic tale records the advice given by sun Bin to General Tian in the Kingdom of Chi who used to race horses against the king and princes of Chi for entertainment and large sums of money.
As was customary the race meeting consisted of three main events and General Tian sought Sun Bins advice regarding his three horses and their chances of winning. Sun Bin advised him to run his worst horse against his opponents best horse then to put his middle horse against his opponents worst horse and finally to race his best horse against his opponent’s middle horse. General Tian followed Sun Bin’s advice and was delighted when he was declared the winner of two of the events and thus the match and the wager!
Sun Bin had looked at the larger picture, he understood that the objective was to win the war, not all the battles!
The Harmony of The Five Elements
Sun Tzu – These elements must be considered when formulating a strategy.
Element 1 – The Moral Cause
The Tao addresses the morality and the righteousness of a battle. This must be thoroughly understood by those who would affect the outcome.
A just cause creates the necessary unity of purpose among the leaders and those led.
- The USA and China in today’s economic warfare.
2. Taiwanese and Japanese economic success in the last four decades.
Element 2 – Temporal Conditions
Heaven is signified by Yin and Yang, manifested as summer and winter and the changing of the four seasons.
One must understand and accept nature’s timing. To know Heaven is to understand the timing of nature, the timing of uncontrollable elements. This understanding is knowledge of the soul. Today, changes and unpredictable political situations dominate the economic environment. Foreign and domestic policies are complex and ever- changing, yet they function within this cycle of natural timing.
Element 3 – Geographical Conditions
The Earth contains far and near, danger and ease, open ground and narrow passes.
A great leader must understand the advantages and disadvantages inherent in the terrain and exploit it.
A similar thing is true in business situations.
Element 4 – Leadership
The commander must be wise, trustful, benevolent, courageous and strict.
Asian society sees no difference between the qualities required in a military commander or industrial leader.
Element 5 – Organisation and Discipline
Organisation and discipline must be thoroughly understood;
A classic example of this was story of Sun Tzu when he was advising the King of Wu. He executed the two leading courtesans of Wu in front of the King because they would not obey his drill commands! When Sun Tzu re issued his orders the rest of the squad executed the drill like professional soldiers!
Japanese people also love discipline and although a modern society this stems from their feudal past as they are still bound to the samurai tradition. To understand the Japanese one must examine and understand the myth and history surrounding that tradition.
harmony of the five elements is of great importance to success in any endeavor. An example of this was the Vietnam War that taught us one thing; that a huge military advantage does not win a war. Wars are won by the hearts and minds of people totally committed to the struggle.
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