Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu (l. c. 500 BCE) was a Chinese military strategist and general best
known as the author of the work The Art of War, a treatise on military strategy.
He was associated with The School of the Military, one of the philosophical
systems of the Spring and Autumn Period (c. 772-476 BCE), which advocated
military preparedness in maintaining peace and social order. Whether an
individual by the name of Sun-Tzu existed at all has been disputed, The
existence of The Art of War, however, and its profound influence since
publication clearly proves that someone existed to produce said work, and
tradition holds that the work was written by one Sun-Tzu.
His existence would seem to have been confirmed by the discovery in 1972 of
his work, as well as that of his apparent descendant, Sun Bin (d. 316 BCE) who
wrote another Art of War, in a tomb in Linyi (Shandong province). Scholars
who challenge his historicity, however, still claim that this proves nothing as the
earlier Art of War could still have been composed by someone other than Sun-
Tzu.
Sun-Tzu is said to have lived, fought, and composed his work during the Spring
and Autumn Period during which the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE) was
declining and the states once bound to it fought each other for supremacy and
control of China. In the early part of the Spring and Autumn Period, Chinese
warfare followed traditional protocol in chivalric behaviour before, during, and
after an engagement. As the era wore on, however, tradition became
increasingly frustrating in that no state could gain an advantage over another
because each was following exactly the same protocol and employing the same
tactics.
Sun-Tzu's work sought to break this stalemate by outlining a clear strategy of
winning decisively by whatever means were necessary. His concepts may have
been derived from earlier philosophies or may have been based on his own
experience in battle. Either way, his theories were put into practice by the king
of the state of Qin, Ying Sheng (l. 259-210 BCE) who, by following Sun-
Tzu's philosophy, conquered the other states through a policy of total war and
established the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE, the first emperor of China.
Art of war were divided into thirteen chapters.

Chapter 1: Laying Plans

This chapter discusses the importance of planning and preparation before

engaging in battle. Sun Tzu emphasizes the need to assess five fundamental
factors: the moral law, heaven, earth, the commander, and method and
discipline. He also introduces the concept of deception, asserting that all
warfare is based on it. Sun Tzu argues that war is not a pleasant thing, It’s
serious. It’s about survival.

If the general is righteous and virtuous, he will likely have more command over
his men. Sun Tzu also flips his idea of strategizing that you should learn all you
can about your opponent while making your opponent blind to your true state. If
they can’t gauge your strengths and weaknesses, it’s harder for them to succeed
in battle. This whole chapter is planning and preparation.

Chapter 2: Waging War

Sun Tzu explores the economic aspects of warfare. He advises that prolonged
campaigns can drain resources and morale, and stresses the importance of quick
and decisive actions. He also discusses the costs associated with maintaining an
army and the importance of maintaining supply lines. He outlines how many
horses you should bring; how many troops should follow a general.

He explains that money and human lives are not be used recklessly, they are both
finite resources. If you wage a huge war, it can be taxing on an army. They
become exhausted; their supplies dwindle. The key takeaway from this chapter is
to strike quickly. This chapter also talks about using the resources of your
enemy. Do not destroy supplies you can use, do not burn food that you can eat,
and don’t kill soldiers that can either give you information or join your own
ranks. This chapter is all about resources and using them wisely, not recklessly.

Chapter 3: Attack by Stratagem. (plan or scheme)

This chapter focuses on the importance of strategy over brute force. Sun Tzu
advocates for achieving victory with minimal conflict, emphasizing the need to
understand and exploit the weaknesses of the enemy. He also discusses the
hierarchy of winning: the best victory is to break the enemy's resistance without
fighting.

He said paraphrased, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not
fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for
every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy
nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Chapter 4: Tactical Dispositions

Sun Tzu discusses the proper deployment and arrangement of troops. He

highlights the importance of flexibility and adaptability, comparing military
tactics to water, which adjusts its flow based on the terrain. This chapter also
delves into the concept of shaping the battlefield to one's advantage. This
chapter is all about when to advance and force a battle. A skilful general seeks
victory, not battle. A terrible general seeks battle first.
Chapter 5: Use of Energy

This chapter covers the use of momentum and timing in warfare. Sun Tzu
introduces the concept of "shi," which refers to the potential energy created by
strategic advantage. He explains how to create and exploit this energy to
achieve victory. Managing a massive army is just as managing a small one, but
Sun Tzu focuses on dividing them up and knowing each of their purposes. You
must push and pull these units to effectively attack.

Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong, or strengths and weaknesses.

Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of understanding both one's own strengths
and weaknesses as well as those of the enemy. He advises commanders to strike
at weak points while avoiding strong ones, and to create opportunities by
making the enemy reveal their vulnerabilities.

If you arrive in battle first, your men rest and wait, defending their ground. If
you arrive in battle second, your troops are already tired from marching and now
must fight. Force your opponent into weakness. All of this relies on the plan
being secret, Secrecy is key.

Chapter 7: Focuses on Manoeuvring

This chapter focuses on the movement of troops and the importance of

flexibility in responding to changing circumstances. Sun Tzu discusses various
tactics for manoeuvring on the battlefield, including the use of deceptive
manoeuvres to confuse and mislead the enemy.

Chapter 8: Variation of Tactics

Sun Tzu explains the need for adaptability in tactics, arguing that no plan can
cover all possible situations. He outlines different tactical scenarios and advises
commanders to adjust their strategies based on the specific circumstances they
face.

Chapter 9: The Army on the March

This chapter provides guidance on the practicalities of moving an army,

including how to interpret signs from the environment and the enemy. Sun Tzu
discusses the importance of securing advantageous positions and avoiding
unfavourable terrain.

Chapter 10: Classification of Terrain

Sun Tzu classifies different types of terrain and explains how to navigate them.
He discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each type and provides
strategies for dealing with various geographical features. If the terrain is unclear,
victory is not certain. If the General does not know his soldiers, victory is not
certain.

Chapter 11: Nine Situations

Sun Tzu describes nine types of battlegrounds and the appropriate strategies for
each. These situations range from dispersive ground (where troops are spread
out) to desperate ground (where survival is at stake). Each requires a different
approach to ensure success.

Chapter 12: The Attack by Fire

This chapter discusses the use of fire as a weapon of war. Sun Tzu outlines
different methods of using fire to disrupt and destroy the enemy, as well as
precautions to take when employing such tactics

Focuses on weapons of war, though weapons at the time were very different. He
brings up five ways to use fire: Burning enemy soldiers, destroying supplies,
destroying their supplies that are still in transit, destroy their weapons and
ammo, and destroying lines of communication and causing chaos. You should
always have your weapons ready and available for use at a brief notice, as long
as the weather is hot and dry, ideal for the fire to spread. Sun Tzu then talks
about when the fire breaks out, there are ways to adapt to it.

Chapter 13: The Use of Spies

Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of intelligence and espionage in warfare.

He details the different types of spies and their roles, highlighting how crucial
information can turn the tide of battle.

Use of Art of War in Modern Times

The Art of War by Sun Tzu, while primarily a military treatise, offers timeless
insights that can be applied to administration and management. Sun Tzu's
concepts can be integrated into administration

1. Strategic Planning

2. Leadership and Command

3. Resource Management

4. Adaptability and Flexibility

5. Intelligence and Information

6. Delegation and Empowerment

7. Conflict Resolution and Negotiation

8. Continuous Improvement

9. Risk Management

10. Communication

Conclusion

Sun Tzu's The Art of War offers a wealth of wisdom that transcends its military
origins, providing valuable lessons for modern administration. By incorporating
these principles, administrators can enhance their strategic planning, leadership,
resource management, adaptability, and overall organizational effectiveness.
Sun Tzu's emphasis on preparation, adaptability, and understanding human
nature serves as a timeless guide for navigating the complexities of
administrative roles and responsibilities.