Thoughts on Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, the 6th-century BC classic on strategy studied in many business schools today. It is often summed up with the line, “know your enemy.”
“Avoid Fighting.” Only engage when the opportunity is right. Some of us are sub-consciously belligerent or feel compelled to fight back when wronged by another. For some it takes a conscious, deliberate choice to decide not to engage with hostile forces. My older brother has a saying, “I choose my battles.” Mine has been too often that “I stick to my guns.”
“Avoid Adversaries’ Strengths.” Sun Tzu says never to attack an enemy’s strengths: “In war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.” The author recommends attacking first strategically, then diplomatically, and only as a last resort militarily.
“He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout its ranks.” Whether on a playing field, around a conference table, or in battle, unity and clear communication are essential to a team’s effectiveness. Unity is essential to victory, and it helps to divide the competitor. A unified whole is usually superior to separate parts of an enemy.