Sun Tzu and the Art of RetreaT

So, a military force has no constant formation, water has no constant shape; the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius. Sun Tzu.

Studying for a PhD in Strategy, Sun Tzu was compulsory reading. In the twenty years since then, I've continued to revisit these ancient writings each year, always gleaning something new. 

The military metaphor has been widely used in business. It encourages you to think of your competitors as your enemies and your goal as defeating them. While knowing your competitive environment is essential, one of the main limitations of the military metaphor is that it assumes a ‘zero sum game’. In other words, there is one winner and one loser—victory must be gained at all costs.

The other limitation is that this ‘win at all costs’ mentality can lead us into stressful, unhealthy lives where we ignore the very things that give us the strength we need to compete. The essence of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War draws on Chinese Taoist philosophies that see the ‘peak efficiency of knowledge and strategy is to make conflict altogether unnecessary: to overcome others’ armies without fighting is the best of skills.’

Leaders who practise timely retreat, individually and with their teams, return refreshed. Their competitors who have struggled on—unwilling to rest—are tired, hungry and battle weary. 

How are you taking time out for retreat?

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