Sun Tzu and Machiavelli's strategic principles in modern business leadership

¶ … Sun Tzu's the Art of War with Niccolo Machiavelli's the Prince. Although the two works of art were intended for different aspects of leadership, they both have withstood the tests of time because they are timeless strategic guides for the ultimate success. These strategic guides are well-known for their appeal to military and political leaders. But our twenty-first century highly competitive global business and economic spectrum continue to draw business leaders into the realm of practitioners.

Today the majority of the principles still apply although some of the suggested killings, assassinations and the like are left to the spies and soldiers. In the business world, some aspects of these works are not to be held literally but certainly can be applied in less dramatic fashions. Consider the suggestion to eliminate whole opposing families in order to reduce the threat of revenge. This philosophy has many applications in the business world without the literally executions. Killing a person or an opposing group's career can be just as effective in a sense.

The same applies to Sun Tzu's work -- removing the head of an insubordinate conscript to prove a point or to increase discipline may have been acceptable in ancient China, but other interpretations will be needed today. All in all, with an open mind, these works of art can certainly be applied successfully in the modern business setting.

Sun Tzu

Very little is known about the author of the Art of War but there has been much supposition and speculation. The book was thought to have been an instructional manual for potential generals in ancient China. The Art of War could also be considered as an instructional science of strategy document. The basic philosophy has become a Chinese mental martial art called bing-fa which because of the ambiguous nature of Chinese Hanja can be translated into literally 'competitive skills' or 'martial art'.

The manual is a series of nine chapters which provide insights into how to address the challenges and how to mentally prepare for both leading others or a methodology for one's personal success. Because of the title and the militarily-based examples, most believe that the sole purpose of the work was to teach how to fight battles. Modern interpretations and adaptations of the principles continue to help individuals create an internal and powerful system for success.

The principles are founded in a no holds barred philosophy of creating winning situations for oneself. It is believed in ancient Japan that those who practiced the art of Ninjitsu for example continually overcame battles with Feudal Samurai because of the differences in success strategy. The Samurai were found of the Code of Bushido were straight ahead battles of with and honor could be compared to the red coats of old England marching to the beat of a drum and lining up in neat rows.

On the other hand, Ninja were thought to follow the philosophies associated with the Art of War and therefore were more in line with guerilla warfare, spying for advantage and cheating if necessary. "All warfare is based on deception." (Tzu) in a business setting, this entails that the end justifies the means. "Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge." (Tzu) if advance knowledge of ones competitor can be obtained to gain an advantage, so be it. Consider that whole nations and all levels of business find it necessary to obtain trade secrets, patents and more through systematic espionage. How does Ninjitsu apply to modern business? There is the basic tenet that be prepared for any situation thrown before hand knowledge and never give away your plans. "Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand." (Tzu)

But the true wisdom in this book is that it suggests constant preparation for all situations. "Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose." (Tzu)

Conclusion

There are many similarities in the two works. Both are geared to successful leadership and can be applied to management and self-improvement objectives in the modern world. The differences between the two works are the target audience. The Art of War was an effective training manual for generals and other leaders and the Prince was a training manual for a specific Royal family. The use of these two manuals can offer a very thorough approach when both philosophies are used together. Both have a similar message: "A Prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline; for this is the sole art that belongs to him who rules, and it is of such force that it not only upholds those who are born princes, but it often enables men to rise from a private station to that rank." (Machiavelli) and "Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected." (Tzu)