Sun Tzu: A Legacy Leader
It has been debated that the legendary Chinese tactician, Sun Tzu did not actually exist. Manuscripts partially preserved for over 2000 years are incomplete, and often contain discrepancies. Due to carbon dating, historians conjecture that Sun Tzu’s 13 Chapter text “The Art of War” is an encyclopedic compilation of early strategic techniques that have remained relevant regardless of time, population, or political and military strategy. Irrespective of Sun Tzu’s existence, it is widely accepted that “The Art of War” teachings remain relevant to modern military tacticians and governmental policy makers. Sun Tzu’s tactical legacy can be seen in the United States Department of Defense, where it’s a required addition in
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Many Soldiers consider the military to be an average job, similar to an office employee and not a defined profession. A tenant of the Army NCO Corps is professionalism. A profession can be likened to a trade that incorporates apprentices and journeymen. The United States Army defines a profession as an essential service to society (HQDA, 2013, p.1-1). Professions require large investments of time and education on the part of the organization and Soldier.
NCOs are at constant odds with Soldiers who fail to live the Army as a profession. Many Soldiers are motivated by monetary, educational, or experiential gain. They do not prioritize organizational policy or doctrine. As a leader, Sun Tzu’s first fundamental factor reflects the Army’s doctrinal belief that effective leadership relies on “mutual trust and shared understanding and purpose” (HQDA, 2013, p. 2-2). Having organizational harmony undoubtedly encourages unit and team cohesion and builds trust. This resulting trust instills confidence in a Soldier’s perceived purpose and increases their morale. Sun Tzu’s factor of Moral Influence resonates with me as a leader because he defined the benefits of what some Army leaders call “embracing the suck”. A military team’s strength and morale may compound exponentially after an obstacle is confronted and successfully overcome. It falls on myself and other Army leaders to not shy away from difficult obstacles, lest our unit’s effectiveness
Originally written in Chinese in 514 B.C., The Art of War by Sun Tzu outlines basic, yet crucial principles and factors in military strategy that Sun Tzu claims would ensure victory in a war. There are several English translations of Sun Tzu’s work, each having a slightly different interpretation due to the meticulous task of finding exact terms from Chinese to English, but some have been reviewed as reliable in conveying the true message of Sun Tzu. This includes the importance of considering economic, political, and geographical factors, objective comparisons of significant aspects between both opposing sides, handling one’s army and officers, and most importantly, the use of deception.
This essay will explore the influences of Sun Tzu in the Second World War. Sun Tzu (544 – 496 BC) was a Chinese general and strategist in times of the Zhou dynasty. His techniques, even today are highly respected. The teachings of Sun Tzu were used not only in Asia and Europe but have also been applied today by the western society.
Griffith examines battles in which Sun Tzu was thought to service as commander. I did suchlike the verbal description of the battles among the militant states as Griffith reconstructed them; they were very elaborated including initial troop deployment followed by the three phases of the battle. In order to paint a better veiw the divisions of Sun Tzu's time, Griffith provides background detail on the three warring states Ch'u, Wu, and Yueh. Although, I found these particular passages quite interesting I have never enjoyed learning about
The Art of War was written in part due to military conquests he had achieved early on in his career. Later observed as the most well-known and celebrated of “China’s Seven Military Classics.” The Shiji record asserts that Sun demonstrated his models on the battlefield; a well-recognized example of his strategy was Battle of Boju. Sun Tzu efficaciously out contrived the much larger Chu militaries ultimately defeating them. The Art of War was one of the most widely read military texts in the Warring States Period (475–221 BC). In his book, he outlined the key components to absolute victory in warfare by defeating the enemy using their weaknesses against them and minimizing one’s causalities; decisively maximizing resources; but can it be used against the war on terror? The Art of War is one of the most powerful literary guidelines detailing how a true leader should wage war. Sun Tzu’s knowledge is still thought of as useful in the modern times. However, his advice shouldn’t be adopted and followed as the only means to the end. But it is good guideline for any leader to follow in order to be effective in the
Leadership is the backbone of both Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, and Machiavelli’s The Prince. I will explore how Sun Tzu’s and Machiavelli’s perspectives on leadership contrast because of how each author explores the concept of morality and human nature. To accomplish this, one must understand that leadership in this context refers to both diplomatic and militarily. First, I will explain how each writer’s perspective on leadership differs, and how morality ties into both of their concepts about leadership, which explores both writer’s concepts on diplomatic leadership. Then I will move into warfare, and discuss each writer’s views on how war should be executed and what utility it serves, which will show the rigid dichotomy between them. This in effect will open the discussion of human nature, in which I will explain how each writer views human nature, and what they do to deal with their view on the inherent human nature. This is important because it
War and economics have been prevalent nearly since the start of mankind and are still a huge part of the world today. In order to make war effective while staying economically stable one must learn of the art of war, and is why The Art of War by Sun Tzu has been read over and over again by military officials since its creation in 513 BC. Therefore, The Art of War could be seen as an impactful text even in today's society not only militarily but also in economic and political situations.
Thomas Cleary translated The Art of War which was originally written by Sun Tzu. A mysterious philosopher for more than two thousand years ago compiled this book by providing influential strategy into the world today. Sun Tzu was known as military specialist active during the turbulent late Chou dynasty and a Taoist philosopher. In this book, it reflects the warfare in China that occurred over two thousand years ago. His views were as unsettling the enemy psychologically; his goal is to force the enemy’s leadership and society from a condition of harmony. Tzu also takes into consideration the bankruptcy and social disintegration of the politically weak Chinese states of his time. Throughout this passage, the reader will be describing the following topics on positional strategy, expansion strategy, and situation response.
Is the Sun Tzu’s theory of war relevant for the nature and character of XXI century wars, despite the finding that, most probably, the author wrote it more than 2500 years ago in his famous treatise, “The Art of War? This complex question becomes more important if we take into consideration the age of his ideas and difference in character of wars fought in the current century and those fought before that. However, the question becomes less complex if we approach it in a way that implies distinction between the character of the wars and their nature. Professionals in the area of strategy are expected to be comfortable with the observation that, “Continuity and change are part of war,”
The traditional Chinese military work, Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” written to provide Chinese generals with military tactical training, is a work adaptable beyond military strategy. There are striking similarities and differences between Tzu’s work and Machiavelli. The similarities relate to the using tempered diplomacy, misdirection, and other deceptive practices to be victorious in battle. Machiavelli (1998) considers these things, however his motivation is about maintaining the power of the state, or the sovereignty. Sun Tzu (2006) wrote this work from the position of the military leader under orders from a sovereign. Many modern endeavors translate and utilize the book’s lessons. While Tzu’s classical work discusses war, Western disciplines
Lessons from the Sun Tzu theory of war about potential war between Vietnam and China in 21st Century
War strategy is a complicated subject. A few decades ago, warfare was generally thought of only in terms of physical fighting; however, today’s technological society has introduced a new arena of defense and attacks. The book “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu and the paper “The Challenge of Information Warfare” by Major General Wang Pufeng are both great readings about how countries must act to be successful in war. Both authors agree on two major aspects of wartime strategy: information and the use of people. Despite the similarities Tzu’s strategy needs to evolve be fully relevant. Tzu and Pufeng both show similarities but Tzu’s theory needs to expand to fit the times.
Ancient Chinese scholar Sun Tzu wrote The Art of War more than 2000 years earlier, probably for kings, generals and solders of his time. However, this book is still relevant in this high-tech modern world. It has still a powerful energy to work as a useful guidance for modern times. The Art of War is actually about struggles and confrontation we all go through in our daily lives. We as all face same kinds of dilemmas in our hearts and minds when it comes to compete with real life challenges. Though the book was compiled as a military advice in ancient times, it has potential to function as practical guide in all facets of life even today. This book is guide for victory in life, but it is also about the art of war. At the same time, it is all about self-awareness. It says “know the enemy and know yourself; in in hundred battles you will never be in peril” . This is how Sun Tzu emphasises the importance of knowing about yourself. To be able to be a winner in the challenges of life it is important to know your strengths and weakness. If you are know yourself very well you should not worry about anything. Sun Tzu has made it very clear that half battle is won when you have a better understanding of yourself. However, if you neither know about yourself nor about your enemy, it means you are at a very high risk every time you enter a competition. Therefore, to be successful in life, one must be aware about both himself and the opposing
As indicated by James Coates and Michael Kilian 's Heavy Losses (1985), in World War II a military assistant of Nationalist General Chiang Kai-shek expressed that “in Chiang’s army, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War was considered a classic but out of date (Shafritz and Borick 2011). A few years later Chiang fell to Sun Tzu’s tactics—employed at the hands of Mao [the leader of the Chinese Communists]” (Shafritz and Borick 2011).