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The Tao of Becoming A Strategist

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Q:   What is Sun Tzu's opinion on 'deploying the best offensive initiative'?
A:   "Thus, what is the supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy… Next best is to disrupt his alliances. The next best is to attack the army… The worst policy is to attack cities. … " (3:4 through 3:7) Always attack the strategy of the opposition first. Avoid casualities as much as possible.

Q:   How would Sun Tzu 'scale or mass' his troops in a 'game of numbers'?
A:   "Consequently, the art of using troops is this: When ten to the enemy's one, surround him. When five times his strength, attack him; If double his strength, divide him. If equally matched you may engage him. And if in all respect unequal, be capable of eluding him for a small force is but booty for one more powerful." (3:12through 3:17) Always use the "numbers" game in your favor.

Q:   Can you delineate Sun Tzu's principle on economy of effort (force)?
A:   "If I am able to determine the enemy's dispositions while at the same time I conceal my own then I can concentrate and he must be divided. And if I concentrate while he divides, I can use my entire strength to attack a fraction of his. There, I will be numerically superior. Then if I am able to use many to strike few at the selected point, those I deal with will be in dire straits." (6:13) Conceal your strategic intent before playing the "superior numbers" game.

Q:   What are the Sun Tzu's principles for maneuvering?
A:   "Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuver. Which is difficult about maneuver is to make the devious route the most direct route the most direct and to turn misfortune to advantage." (7:2)

"When campaigning, be swift as the wind; in leisurely march, majestic as the forest; in raiding and plundering, like fire; in standing, firm as the mountain. As unfathomable as the clouds, move like a thunderbolt." (7:13)

"During the early morning spirits are keen, during the day they flag, and in the evening thoughts turn toward home. And therefore those who are skilled avoid the enemy when his spirit is keen and attack him when it is sluggish and his solders homesick. This is the control of the moral factor." (7:21 through 7:22)

"In good order they await a disorderly enemy; in serenity, a clamorous one. This is control of the mental factor." (7:23)

"Close to the field of battle, they await an enemy coming from afar; at rest, an exhausted enemy; with well-fed troops, hungry ones. This is a control of physical factor." (7:24)

"They do not engage an enemy advancing with well-ordered banners nor one whose formations are in impressive arrays. This is control of the factor of changing circumstances." (7:25)

Keep both your motive and position a secret. Knowing when to attack is important. Know how to prepare your army on the art and science of maneuvering from one position to another without losing a step.

Q:   "What are Sun Tzu's principles on offensive strategy?"
A:   Chapter 3 of Sun Tzu's Art of War, "Offensive Strategy," does a nice job on delineating the qualifying factors that determine a victory.

"Now there are five circumstances in which victory may be predicted:

  • He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious.
  • He who understands how to use both large and small forces will be victorious.
  • He whose ranks are united in purpose will be victorious.
  • He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not will be victorious.
  • He whose generals are able and not interfered with by the sovereign will be victorious (3:24 through 3:29)

"If the army is confused and suspicious, neighboring rulers will cause trouble. This is what is meant by the saying: "A confused army leads to another's victory." (3:23)

Always follow those five principles and your victory will be complete.

Q:   What is Sun Tzu take on secrecy and security
A:   Chapter 13 of Sun Tzu's Art of War, "Using Spies," focuses on the importance of information gathering and the various types of information that one must gather for the purpose of gaining a strategic advantage. The reader is also reminded of the importance of protecting him/herself from people by gathering information on them.

"On the day the policy to attack is put into effect, close the passes, rescind the passports, have no further intercourse with the enemy's envoys, and exhort the temple council to execute the plans." (11:58)

"It is the business of a general to be serene and inscrutable, impartial and self-controlled… He should be capable of keeping his officers and men in ignorance of his plans… He prohibits superstitious practices and so rids the army of doubts. Then until the moments of death there can be no trouble… He changes his methods and alters his plans so that people have no knowledge if what he is doing. He alters his campsites and marches by devious routes and thus makes it impossible for others to anticipate his purposes."

If the strategic leader is consummately in control of him/herself, the opponent will not be predict his/her actions.

Q:   How do you strategically surprise your adversary?
A:   "All warfare is based on deception… Therefore, when capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity… When near, make it appear that you are far away, when far away, that you are near... Offer the enemy a bait to lure him; feign disorder and strike him." (1:17 through 1:20)

To strategically surprise your adversary, deceive, distract, and disrupt them by deploying a tactical combination of direct and indirect maneuvers.

We continue our exploration of The Tao of Becoming A Strategist in the next issue of the Jade Dragon Online.

M.E.H. is a "strategy consultant."

Part 2

Previous M.E.H. Writings on Strategy

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