Ownership of communication failure
ManagementA leader must ensure that every instruction is perfectly understood before expecting execution from the team.
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Hall of Masters
Sun Tzu
손자
Strategy and mental modelsc. 544 BCE (traditional) to c. 496 BCE (traditional)
Chinese general, traditional author of The Art of War
565 records in all
- Principles 212
- Episodes 101
- Quotes 252
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Principles
32 basic records of 212
Principles are our summary of their public statements.
Distill wisdom from observation
LearningTrue strategy is not concocted in a study but distilled from a large store of personal observation and practical experience.
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Adapt to the prime antagonist
FocusFocus resources and strategic thinking on the current primary threat rather than historical enemies who are no longer the main concern.
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Balance Benevolence with Expediency
LeadershipA leader should maintain high ethical standards while being willing to use clever tactics and practical measures to achieve goals.
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Value Brevity and Clarity
ContentEffective communication should be brief yet deep, avoiding long-windedness that obscures the core message.
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Balance Civil and Military Skills
LeadershipA leader should not separate administrative skills from strategic defense; both are necessary for a stable organization.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Strategic Misdirection
StrategyA leader must project weakness when strong and distance when near to keep competitors off balance.
Supporting quotes
Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
Source Sun Tzu Sun Tzŭ on the Art of War: The Oldest Military Treatise in the World (opens in a new tab)
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Incentivize Specific Achievements
LeadershipRewards should be given to those who take the first initiative or achieve key milestones to maintain morale and momentum.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Control the Enemy's Movement
StrategyA leader dictates the terms of engagement by offering bait to draw the enemy in or striking vital points to keep them away.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Manage Energy Cycles
ProductivityRecognize that enthusiasm and energy flag over time; time your major efforts for when your team is fresh and the competition is tired.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Adapt Tactics to the Situation
ManagementA leader must vary their tactics based on the specific terrain and circumstances rather than following a fixed set of rules. Knowledge of the market is useless without the flexibility to apply it.
Supporting quotes
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free.
Source Sun Tzu Sun Tzŭ on the Art of War: The Oldest Military Treatise in the World (opens in a new tab)
1 more supporting quote is in the member records.
The Dual View of Risk
MindsetA leader must always consider the potential harm when chasing a gain, and the potential gain when facing a disaster.
Supporting quotes
If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes.
Source Sun Tzu Sun Tzŭ on the Art of War: The Oldest Military Treatise in the World (opens in a new tab)
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Control your emotional triggers
MindsetA hasty temper or sensitivity to shame makes a leader predictable and easy for competitors to provoke into bad decisions.
Supporting quotes
When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults.
Source Sun Tzu Sun Tzŭ on the Art of War: The Oldest Military Treatise in the World (opens in a new tab)
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Scout Hidden Risks
RiskThoroughly search areas where competitors or threats could be lurking, such as thickets or ambiguous market gaps.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Balance Empathy with Authority
LeadershipA leader must build a bond of trust through humane treatment before enforcing strict discipline to ensure loyalty and effectiveness.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Disrupt Competitor Coordination
CompetitionA leader should aim to separate the opponent's divisions and prevent their departments or teams from supporting each other.
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Leverage the Power of Necessity
StrategyPeople exert their maximum effort when they have no other choice but to succeed or face total failure.
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Leverage Environmental Conditions
FocusSuccess depends on timing actions to coincide with favorable external conditions like weather or market trends.
Supporting quotes
The material for raising fire should always be kept in readiness.
Source Sun Tzu Sun Tzŭ on the Art of War: The Oldest Military Treatise in the World (opens in a new tab)
2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Prioritize the converted spy
StrategyThe double agent is the most valuable asset because they provide the access needed to recruit other types of informants.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
Map the inner circle
CompetitionBefore attacking a competitor or organization, identify the gatekeepers and assistants who have direct access to the leadership.
3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.
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