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Sun Tzu on Decision-Making
The Art of War is a manual for decisions under uncertainty: gather information, know yourself and the situation, calculate before committing, and act decisively once the conditions are right.
Sun Tzu lessons for this
“All warfare is based on deception.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 1: Laying Plans
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 3: Attack by Stratagem
“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.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 1: Laying Plans
“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 4: Tactical Dispositions
“Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong
“The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 5: Energy
“The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 10: Terrain
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 10: Terrain
Put it into practice
Sun Tzu’s strategy is only useful if you actually use it. Try this small loop the next time decision-making shows up:
- Read the situation. Gather information about yourself, the other side, and the environment before you commit.
- Choose your ground. Avoid the other side’s strength and strike where you have an advantage.
- Act with timing. Move fast when the moment is right, and wait when patience is the advantage.