Know Yourself, Know Your Competition
Sun Tzu on the two things you need to see clearly “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” Sun Tzu’s advice isn’t just for generals. It’s a lifeline for small business owners. To build a business that lasts, you need to understand two things. […]
Clarity or Chaos
Sun Tzu on what confusion costs you You know the feeling. The business is spinning its wheels. Everyone’s busy. Nothing moves forward. Instead of confidently working toward your goals, you’re putting out fires and reacting to the next thing in front of you. It’s exhausting. Most of the time it traces back to one thing: […]
Competent Leadership, Cohesive Teams
Sun Tzu on what happens when leaders don’t know the work This morning I read this from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War: “If one ignorant of military matters is sent to participate in the administration of the army, then in every movement, there will be disagreement and mutual frustration, and the entire army will […]
Decision-Making from the Battlefield
Sun Tzu on why distant decisions miss This morning I was reading The Art of War and came across this: “No evil is greater than commands of the sovereign from the court.” Sun Tzu warns against leaders making decisions far removed from the realities of the battlefield. For small business owners, the lesson is direct: […]
Winning Sustainably
Sun Tzu on taking it all intact This morning, reading The Art of War, I came across this: “Your aim must be to take All-under-Heaven intact.” Simple but profound. Sun Tzu is saying that the ultimate victory isn’t destruction. It’s achieving success while preserving the resources, relationships, and value you aim to grow. Picture a […]
Winning More by Fighting Less
Sun Tzu on subduing without fighting This morning, reading The Art of War, I came across this: “For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.” The kind of wisdom that stops you in your tracks. Sun […]
Victory Isn’t the Finish Line
Sun Tzu on what happens after the win This morning, reading The Art of War, this passage jumped out at me: “[Tu Hsiang] entered Nan Haio, destroyed three of their camps, and captured much treasure. However, P’an Hung and his followers were still strong and numerous, while Tu Hsiang’s troops, now rich and arrogant, no […]
Work Smarter
Sun Tzu on not starting from scratch This morning, reading The Art of War, I came across this: “The wise general sees to it that his troops feed on the enemy, for one bushel of the enemy’s provisions is equivalent to twenty of his… in transporting provisions for a distance… twenty bushels will be consumed […]
Hiring Smart
Sun Tzu on what you risk by not hiring This morning I was reading the “Waging War” chapter of The Art of War, and one line stood out: “Those unable to understand the dangers inherent in employing troops are equally unable to understand the advantageous ways of doing so.” It made me think about a […]
Stop Getting Stuck
Sun Tzu on what long delays cost This morning, reading The Art of War, I came across this: “Victory is the main object in war. If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.” It made me think about how often this happens in small businesses. We pour time, energy, and money into […]
Plan Like a Pro
Sun Tzu on strategy and leadership in a small business This morning, reading The Art of War, I came across this: “Li Ching of the Tang proposed ten plans to be used against Hsiao Hsieh, and the entire responsibility of commanding the armies was entrusted to him.” My first thought was that ten plans seemed […]
When the Unexpected Happens
Sun Tzu and Stockdale on the thunderclap I’ve been rereading The Art of War by Sun Tzu this year. This morning, this passage jumped out at me: “When the thunderclap comes, there is no time to cover the ears.” At first I thought it was a great metaphor for a surprise attack. Sun Tzu was […]