Four Steps: From Lecturer to Brilliant Military Strategist

---

A Job Application Like No Other

Today, we write to encourage you to follow your dream. Indeed, this is a story of possibilities.

Following your dream may not always translate into abandoning the current path you are on. It simply means, becoming aware that you could be living a better reality, by starting today.

Become more intentional. Begin by readying your mind, re-tooling and then equipping yourself for the journey ahead.

DISTRACTIONS

Once you decide that you want better, that you deserve better, that you are going to reach for better – become aware of distractions.

The “how” of transitioning from here to there, is a decision that will come later. Do not place this unnecessary obstacle (distraction) in your path, so early in the process of envisioning a better life for yourself. 

Take bite sizes and do now, the little that you can, to begin having clarity for your journey ahead. Take a bite today. Do one small thing today, for you. See an example below.

A LOOK INTO HISTORY

Here is one fellow that espouses this philosophy.
SUN TZU (most pronounce it san-zoo)

It is said that Sun Tzu (born Sun Wu) was one of the greatest military strategists that ever lived.

In 40 years as a general, he never lost a battle and casualties numbered the lowest ever. This was no mean feat.

But, who was Sun Tzu?
Meet the Lecturer and Researcher.
Yes, you heard right.

THE THEORY GUY

Sun Tzu was an academician.

His field of study was military science. It is believed that he was inspired down this path by his father who had served in the army.

We surmise that Dad must have been a dinner time storyteller, regalling little Sun Tzu with captivating stories of war.

Yet by the time he was penning down one of the most influential books on strategy today, “The Art of War”, Sun Tzu had not been involved in any practicals. That is, he had not experienced war. There were no blisters on his hands, so to speak.

THE STRATEGIST

But King He-Lu of Wu was desperate.

You see – At around 506 BC, the states of Wu and Chu were at war. Wu’s army was greatly outnumbered and all the king could do was sweat buckets; trembling at the prospect of going to battle with such a formidable enemy. 

King He-Lu retreated “to think”. But thinking he could not. And that’s when Sun Tzu rose to the occasion presenting his “Success at War” manual so to speak.

“The Art of War” was written as a Job Application to the new leader, King He-Lu, seeking to fill the vacancy of Military Strategist. This role did not even exist but Sun Tzu – being the academician he was – felt it was sorely needed.

THE FOUR CONSIDERATIONS

He detailed his success formula into 13 chapters, each focusing on a different set of warfare skills.

Sun Tzu’s desire was to win, ideally, by not going to war.

In fact, when one studies his strategies, one finds that Sun Tzu’s success recipe has the following ingredients, the four considerations:

– know thyself
– know thy enemy
– know the terrain
– then use intelligence over force to conquer the enemy 

Let’s pick one. 

9 TYPES OF TERRAIN

Did you know for “know the terrain”, Sun Tzu identified nine types of ground? And for each type, his recommended strategy was different and unique.

These nine types were: (1) dispersive ground; (2) facile ground; (3) contentious ground; (4) open ground; (5) ground of intersecting highways; (6) serious ground; (7) difficult ground; (8) hemmed-in ground; and (9) desperate ground.

How to approach each situation was carefully laid out in this book that became the equivalent of a “Military Success White Paper”. 

Sun Tzu is known for his philosophy of winning a war without openly attacking. And it is worth repeating that in 40 years he never lost a battle.

WEIRD INTERVIEW

But did the king believe Sun Tzu was capable?
Short answer, NO.
What did the king do?

King He-Lu, the king of Wu, instructed Sun Tzu to train 180 of his concubines into the army. “Train them to be soldiers and you shall pass the test.” And he did. And they did. Soldiers, they became. And the Army General, he became.

HOW IT ENDED

Did Sun Tzu succeed in this role as Chief Military Strategist? 
Short answer, YES. 

The underdog (Sun Tzu and team) won the war. In the legendary Battle of Bajo between the states of Wu and Chu, under Sun Tzu’s leadership, Wu emerged victorious – capturing Ying, the capital of Chu. 

It was one of the major battles waged between the two states. The victory was so resounding that it became the stuff fables and folklore are made of.

– – – 

THE FOUR STEPS

One would wonder, how does a non-soldier end up becoming one of the greatest Military Strategists of all time? 

From Sun Tzu’s experiment and experience, we can see that he followed 4 key steps that anyone could also choose to follow – when aiming to achieve significantly beneficial outcomes.

1. Dream
2. Decide
3. Dare
4. Do

DREAM

Sun Tzu had a dream. He did not let what he could not do, limit the things that he could do. Neither should you.

For example: “So what if I am not great at Excel? I am great at preparing and making Presentations. I shall play to my strengths instead of wallowing in my weaknesses.”

DECIDE

What can you see is needed? Which one specific thing can you do to crystallise this? Write it down.

Sun Tzu crystallised his dream by deciding to do ONE specific thing to make it a reality (without setting the choke-hold of a deadline on it). He decided to write “The Art of War” explaining in detail how he would approach war. 

He simply wrote and wrote and wrote; impassioned by the need to fill a gap that no one else could see – that of a Military Strategist.

DARE

Without daring to present his “Job Application” to King He-Lu, would Sun Tzu ever have transformed his life’s experience from that of the academic corridors of Wu to the battlefields of Chu? We think not.

Dare to show up.
Dare to speak up.
Dare to show your value.

DO

The test is where the rubber meets the road. He trained 180 giggling concubines into lethal soldiers. He passed the test.

Expect to be tested.
Pass the test.
Then repeat.

Sun Tzu became a Chinese military strategist and one of the greatest philosophers in Ancient China because he dreamed, decided, dared and did. 

Which one step will you take today?

For Corporates: Are you ready for more? We look forward to working with you in the coming year.

Make time to do more. With the time you already have, enhanced productivity and clarity for you and your team, are within your reach. Welcome.

For Individuals: We are skilled career and productivity coaches. Whether you are planning to grow where you are or explore your options beyond, why not start with a conversation?

Upload your CV + get started today