The Art of War (Sun Tzu)

Description of The Art of War. Sun Tzu. Explanation.

The Art of War (Sun Tzu). Description.

Sun Tzu wrote the book The Art of War in 490 BC. Although Sun Tzu's Art of War was written more than 2,600 years ago, it stands today as the pre-eminent work on military strategy, the most brilliant exposition of armed conflict ever composed. Yet the book is much more than a guidebook for soldiers, and the precepts found therein have their application in every quarter of life - from sports and games to business, finance,  management into the boardroom.

A quick way to appreciate the contribution that Sun Tzu made to management in general and strategy in particular, is to just consider the chapter titles of The Art of War: Laying Plans, Waging War, Attack By Stratagem, Tactical Disposition, Energy, Weak Points and Strong, Maneuvering, Variations in Tactics, The Army on the March, Terrain, The Nine Situations, The Attack by Fire, The Use of Spies.

Specifically, Sun Tzu's ancient principles of war, reinterpreted for the modern manager, offer clues to:

- Learn to compete, but never lose emotional control.
- Plan properly and do things right.
- Make sure you know the facts, and only rely on first-hand knowledge if possible.
- Expect and be prepared for the worst, and have some resources to counter any setback.
- Speed and innovation are powerful weapons to stay ahead.

Compare with: OODA Loop  |  Leadership Styles  |  Business Intelligence  |  Competitive Intelligence  |  Force Field Analysis  |  Scenario Planning  |  PEST Analysis  |  SWOT Analysis  |  Chain of Command  |  First-mover Advantage  |  Scorched Earth Defense  |  Charismatic Leadership

Return to Management Hub: Change & Organization  |  Communication & Skills  |  Decision-making & Valuation  |  Ethics & Responsibility  |  Human Resources  |  Leadership  |  Strategy

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End of description of Sun Tzu's Art of War. An explanation.