Grand Strategy Readiness is everything. Resolution is indissolubly bound up with caution. If an individual is careful and keeps his wits about him, he need not become excited or alarmed. If he is watchful at all times, even before danger is present, he is armed when danger approaches and need not be afraid. The superior … Read more
To remain disciplined and calm while waiting for disorder to appear amongst the enemy is the art of self-possession. Sun-tzu (fourth century B.C.) In the 1930’s, Mao Tse-tung was a rising hero of the Communist army. His philosophy and guerilla tactics led them to many victories against the Nationalist party, even though he was often … Read more
The Counterattack Strategy The counterattack is a classic approach to warfare. Most people either spend their time attacking, leaving themselves vulnerable or they are extremely defensive and miss out on valuable opportunities. The third option is the counterattack. Do not commit to either attack or defense, instead, learn the art of timing. People are generally … Read more
The costs of battle are often great, especially when you are over-committed. There are many people who sacrifice everything for a cause, business, or project – only to realize that the costs they had incurred were far too great. It is easy to be blinded by your own ambition, to lose your sense of realism. … Read more
You know, I am sure, that not numbers or strength brings victory in war; but whichever army goes into battle stronger in soul, their enemies generally cannot withstand them. Xenophon (430?-355? B.C.) In this chapter, Greene turns our attention to team motivation. To successfully build a winning army of any kind, you must know how … Read more
The Guerrilla-War-of-the-Mind Strategy Tradition, tired formulas, and attachments to the past will trap you. You must wage war against your past victories and defeats and react to the present moment. This may require you to take risks and do things differently, but whatever is lost in terms of comfort and security will be gained in … Read more
Law 34: Be Royal in your own Fashion, Act like a king to be treated like one Don’t be too humble. You will be treated the way you treat yourself. You will be thought of the way you think of yourself. Project confidence and a regal demeanor and others will respect you for it. If … Read more
Law 31: Control the options: get others to play with the cards you deal For the wounds and every other evil that men inflict upon themselves spontaneously, and of their own choice, are in the long run less painful than those inflicted by others. -Niccolò Machiavelli It is wiser to avoid exerting strength if you … Read more
Law 29: Plan all the Way to the End “Look to the end, no matter what it is you are considering. Often enough, God gives a man a glimpse of happiness, and then utterly ruins him.” – The Histories, Herodotus When planning, take everything into account. Since the ending is all that matters, you should … Read more
Law 28: Enter Action with Boldness Don’t do anything halfheartedly. Being doubtful and hesitant will inevitably sabotage your project. Be audacious, everyone admires the bold, and no one cares for the timid. When you act timidly, those that are bolder will encircle you. And when you lack confidence, you will be unable to overcome obstacles … Read more