- The Art of War/Intro - This simple book was written 2500 years ago, by a relatively uneducated peasant philosopher and General by the name of Sun Tzu. A better definition for the western mind would be to call the book "the study of control" or just "how to win". It is fairly short, and shows that wisdom or observation is not a newly invented skill.
- The Art of War/1 - Laying Plans - Planning, cross checking those plans against every opportunity (question every contingency), will have everyone prepared for all possibilities and allow them to deal with situations much better. Knowledge and purpose are the key to good decisions. Communications is the key to getting others to accomplish your goals.
- The Art of War/2 - Waging War - war is expensive (know that going in), use the enemies resources first, don't waste energy, reward your allies and remember your enemies, this is not the last battle -- so part of this battle is how it/you will be remembered in the future. The tougher you are now, the easier it will be later. War should be so expensive that it's always the last resort.
- The Art of War/3 - Strategy of Aggression - Use the opponent assets, sway his allies, bend his will and make them your own. War is no place for compassion. Don't be distracted: the most committed to winning, will win. Know the enemy, (know the situation, and the rules), and know yourself! The variable you do not know is the one that will be used against you.
- The Art of War/4 - Tactics - Learn from the past. If failue is not an option the only option left is winning. Don't over extend, but exploit opportunities. Don't seek fame/riches, seek to win. The best offense is a good defense. Be realistic, weight the odds, don't take uneccessary risks, always take necessary ones. Patience and be persistant every path must lead to victory.
- The Art of War/5 - Energy Listen before managing. Be direct and indirect as appropriate. Energy is potential, like the cocking of a crossbow. Decision is the action, like releasing of a trigger. Aim before firing. Use the tools for what they are good for. Help their goals to focus on your goals.
- The Art of War/6 - Weak and Strong - Fight on your terms. Hit where unexpected and control the fight. Go around his defenses. Don't fight where he is strong. If he has a brilliant attack plan, don't be there, hit somewhere else. Focus where he is weak, defocus him so he can't be strong. Learn to predict, and learn to be unpredictable. Learn to use everything to your advantage.
- The Art of War/7 - Maneuvering - Help people understand their place and value on you team. Misdirection has value against theirs. Don't start battles you don't have the resources to win. Information is power, listen to your side, deny it to the other. Share wealth and praise (loyalty is earned). Don't solo: teamwork. Don't gloat. Give your oppenents a way out (that you choose).
- The Art of War/8 - Variations - give people the room to adapt (don't micromanage). Focus on the ends, not the means. See the big picture, and adapt to it. Opportunities are seldom in the plans. Leaders adapt and listen. Do not stop. Don't be reckless or a coward, control your ego/anger, troops matter but the goal must matter more.
- The Art of War/9 - On the move - Don't telegraph. Use everything to your advantage. Always have a backup plan (escape route). Don't squander resources, don't fight the unwinnable. Plan to counter your best plans. Expect the unexpected. See strengths, weaknesses and what is. Don't be afraid. Don't back down. Timing matters. Say what you're going to do, do what you say.
- The Art of War/10 - Terrain - Know the different terians (where you can maneuver, get mired, are exposed, are trapped, , and how to adapt to each. Know how you might fail (trying to do too much, not knowing your resources, being weak, too aggressive, ego, poor communicator), and avoid them. Knowledge is power and ignorance can lead to death.
- The Art of War/11 - Nine Situations - Know the situations advantages and weaknesses. Know when to advance or hold. Know what the other side wants, seize it, and leverage it. Speed of decision: be more agile. Take success. Treat your people/resources well. Be a strategist that plans, and a tactician that adapts. Lead by example. Be clear in communication, but opaque in strategy.
- The Art of War/12 - Firestorm - Use nature against your foes; start fires. Watch the environment, your opponent and political weather so they don't turn against you. The winds that rise from the superficial are not as long lasting as the ones that rise from substance and truth. Negativity and over-aggression makes you strident, or is wasteful. Avoid backlash.
- The Art of War/13 - Information - Do your homework, know what you can know, and look objectively before leaping. Reasoning with bad intel will be bad reasoning. Listen to those above, below, peers, and in other orgs. If you can't listen, then you cannot lead. Knowledge is power, and giving it deserves reward. Don't squander yours.
🔗 More
| |
Tags: The Art of War
