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It’s truly compelling to note how good leadership principles, ideas and philosophies can transcend time and culture. Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is internationally regarded as

one of the greatest texts for strategic methodology, and has a myriad of applications throughout history. What began in China as a manual of military tactics in the fourth century BC has been appropriated globally by managers, sports figures, philosophers, and even stock traders over several millennia. With this in mind, it’s evident why executives have used Sun Tzu’s teachings and likened their business experiences to the warfare depicted in this ancient Chinese reference.

The elegant simplicity of The Art of War is what makes its teachings so accessible and multifaceted. The regular use of esoteric metaphor paradoxically challenges and subdues the reader with its allusions to nature and philosophy that characterise the universality of good leadership qualities. Senior Lecturer and Philosophy Discipline Coordinator at the University of New South Wales Dr Karyn Lai has extensive experience exploring ancient Chinese philosophy, but realises the limitations of applying Sun Tzu’s teachings to specific industries. Karyn says, “I am quite sceptical of the many publications that

Few ancient texts are as perennial as sun tzu’s The ArT of WAr. this archaic reFerence has intrinsic teachings regarding leadership, governance and strategy that go Far beyond its original time and context.

By Jay Garcia

popularise Sun Tzu’s Bing Fa (The Art of War) for management. This is because they often misconstrue the text by taking it out of its original historical context, and because they propose to cast business strategies and management as war.”

Karyn explains: “Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, and its associated text by his descendant, Sun Bin, must be placed in an intellectual context that is anti-war. Taking these texts out of context often results in a militaristic reading of them.” Therefore, removing the militaristic context of the original writings can make The Art of War more easily applicable to management, and particularly self-understanding. For strategists to triumph in warfare, or the business realm, they must first understand their personal limitations and the context in which they are working.

“What would I do with the Bing Fa?” Karyn asks. “I would read it first and foremost as an important text for understanding the self in relation to others and the self in context, as some early Chinese thinkers saw it. In this way, it is not a text about how to conquer or defeat, but a text that throws light on oneself in relation to its context and to others. It helps to situate the self. Sure, the text is not about self-sacrifice or altruism, but neither is it just about conquests. It is about gaining advantage for the self, but that can result in as much a win-win situation as it can a win-lose situation.”

Knowledge of self is heavily promoted through Sun Tzu’s text. Lessons within The Art of War are taught and explained but, more importantly, they aim to develop self-exploration. One tries to understand the ‘self ’ by searching for answers in the ‘other’ (nature, business, the external world), but the paradox occurs when one realises that all understanding comes from within. We travel down others’ interpretations of Sun Tzu to discover our own meaning – thus, the process of looking outward brings us back to self-understanding. Others’ reasoning and rationale can only take you so far before you begin to look within yourself for answers. That is why so many scholars and translators have developed their own understanding of Sun Tzu with varied success. What’s most important to remember about The Art of War is that it promotes self-understanding, not self-cultivation as most authors would have you believe. The reader must derive their own understanding from the text, and that’s the true

purpose of its inscrutable teachings. The text is not a guide to understanding, but rather provides the tools and ideas for a person to develop their own interpretation and comprehension.

Karyn highlights: “A notable scholar and translator of the Sun Bin writes: ‘Both the Sun Tzu [Sunzi], and its literary descendant, the Sun Pin [Sun Bin], are military treatises that share a fundamental distaste for war. Warfare always constitutes a loss.’ In its original context, the Bing Fa builds upon existing themes in Chinese philosophy, including the Daoist notion of wu wei, which is not a concept about deception but one which emphasises the spontaneity and integrity of individuals.”

Daoism, like The Art of War, promotes independent thought and wu wei (non-action). Wu wei is an illusive notion that encourages people to be more

open to change and adaptation, rather than being assertive and rigid like other ancient Chinese schools of thought. Wu wei is a very laissez-faire concept, and can be applied on both an individual and societal level. Even within business, leaders should act wu wei, intervening only when completely necessary. Omnipotence is not a sign of a true leader, as people must learn to govern and think for themselves. Leading people blindly or forcefully will not ensure obedience, nor will it encourage development.

It should also be understood that wu wei is not taking zero action, but rather giving people the freedom to grow and learn on their own accord, steering clear of micromanagement and assisting only when truly necessary. Previous schools of thought were too rigid in their notions of governance and leadership. However, as Daoism, Sun Tzu, and nature have determined, those set to

in this way, it is not a text about how to conquer or defeat, but a text that throws light on oneself in relation to its context and to others. it helps to situate the self.” - dr Karyn lai

to understand the intricacies of modern business, an executive must first understand the role and nature of all stakeholders to be able to take a more holistic approach to all business activities.

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hastily. In reality, speed requires much planning and foresight. Reducing the time it takes your company to make decisions, develop products, and service customers is critical. To think through and understand potential competitive reactions to your attacks is also vital.

“Therefore, those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.” - Sun Tzu

Remaining at the forefront of your market and competition allows managers to dictate business conditions, forcing competitors to follow their lead. This means taking control away from competitors through the use of crucial partnerships. By building a strong web of alliances, the moves of your competitors can be limited. Also, by controlling key strategic points in your industry, you will be able to set the pace and volatility of the marketplace.

“When one treats people with benevolence, justice and righteousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders.” - Sun Tzu

A true leader builds the confidence of his team, army or business. Managers must create a climate of harmony to extract the greatest value from their employees. This also comes down to understanding, particularly the multiple facets that combine to create a company’s workforce.

competitors directly in a bid to create support and divide the market. These aggressive tactics can often drain the market of profits as large companies declare price wars on competitors. Sun Tzu encourages subtlety and finesse when approaching a market rather than bringing the conflict to the attention of your competition and your customers.

“An army may be likened to water; for just as flowing water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands, so an army avoids strength and strikes weakness.” - Sun Tzu

True strategists, whether military or corporate, understand the nature of their enemies. Once again, direct attacks against a competitor’s strongest points may result in victory, but the path towards that outcome will prove far more arduous. Understanding a competitor’s weaknesses will give any company the upper hand in controlling the market. Also, the allusion to flowing water reiterates the notion of wu wei and adaptability. To truly prosper within the market, managers must remain fluid within all business activities, open to the idea of change, and never too rigid or attached to set ideals.

“Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles, you will never be in peril.” - Sun Tzu

To find and exploit your competitors’ weaknesses requires a deep understanding of their executives’ strategies, capabilities, thoughts and desires; it also requires a similar depth of knowledge for your own strengths and weaknesses. Self-awareness and competitive context are vital to a company’s survival in business. This means understanding your very nature, as well as the competitive and industry trends occurring within the market. Understand your enemy, understand yourself, and understand the climate in which you’re working – victory will then seem far more attainable.

“To rely on rustics and not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues.” - Sun Tzu

Preparation is the greatest weapon one can wield in warfare. The same applies to business, as foreknowledge and deception can help a manager execute decisions with blinding speed. To move with speed does not mean that you do things

rule shall do so without drawing attention to their leadership, while those set to follow will learn by walking their own path, even if their path has been previously forged by the toil of others.

Karyn continues, “The Art of War also explores the notions of interdependence and contextuality, which are major features of classical Chinese philosophy.” Interdependence is a vital process of understanding within ancient Chinese philosophy. The interrelationship of every facet within a corporate structure resonates throughout the world at large. To understand the intricacies of modern business, an executive must first understand the role and nature of all stakeholders to be able to take a more holistic approach to all business activities.

the following are six strategic principles for Managers derived froM Mark Mcneilly’s book Sun Tzu and The arT of BuSineSS.

“Generally, in war, the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this … for to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.” - Sun Tzu

The greatest victories are the ones achieved without conflict. Many companies attack their

“all warfare is based on deception. hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe that we are away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. hold out baits to entice the enemy. feign disorder, and crush him.”

“if he is secure at all

points, be prepared

for him. if he is

superior in strength,

evade him. if your

opponent is of

choleric temper, seek

to irritate him.

pretend to be weak,

that he may grow

arrogant. if he is

inactive, give him no

rest. if his forces are

united, separate

them. attack him

where he is

unprepared; appear

where you are not

expected.”

“There are five essentials for victory:he will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

he will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.

he will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all ranks.

he will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.

he will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.”

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