| Sun Tzu said: |
Commentary |
| 16. The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to
method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success. |
Remember the Moral
Law, plus method and discipline in the Five Constant
Factors. Naturally, success with these should lead to success in war. |
| 17. In respect of military method, we have, firstly, Measurement; secondly,
Estimation of quantity; thirdly, Calculation; fourthly, Balancing of chances;
fifthly, Victory. |
Here are five aspects
of the 'military method' which are described in more detail in the
paragraphs below. |
| 18. Measurement owes its existence to Earth; Estimation of quantity to
Measurement; Calculation to Estimation of quantity; Balancing of chances to
Calculation; and Victory to Balancing of chances. |
Nothing is certain in
war and victory starts with intelligence that allows understanding
of risks and opportunities, projecting possibilities for each and
then acting on the one with best outcome.
In business, risks and opportunities are often based more on
opinion than data and calculated projection. Improving this will
improve success. |
| 19. A victorious army opposed to a routed one, is as a pound's weight placed
in the scale against a single grain. |
Armies that win are
superior to those which run away. They have greater advantage and
far stronger morale. In business, do not underestimate the power
of motivation. Leading people to wins, even small ones, will
increase morale and lead to more wins. After failure, work hard to
restore morale. |
| 20. The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting of pent-up waters
into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep. |
Dynamics count. A
speeding bullet does far more damage than if it was thrown by hand.
The momentum of a powerful charge can break through a even a strong
defense.
In business, momentum can be caused by a string of successes that
keeps competitors on the back foot and may even drive them out of
the market. |
