In The Art of War, Sun Tzu distinctly emphasizes the hazards of sovereign intervention and constraints imposed on military operations. In Chapter Three, ‘Attack by Stratagem‘ Sun Tzu presents five conditions for victory, with the final one stating, ‘He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.‘ This principle reflects the collaborative relationship between feudal military commanders and monarchs, specifically highlighting the importance of ideological alignment.
Military Application: Independent Command and Foundation of Trust
Monarchs should trust the commanders commanding operations outside and refrain from arbitrary interference or constraints; this is a pivotal aspect. It is one of Sun Tzu’s doctrines concerning the flexible use of military forces. Once a commander is chosen, granting independent command is imperative. Only when the commander demonstrates the capability to organize and lead military operations can the monarch boldly entrust them to exercise their subjective initiative.
Commanders should act decisively based on the principle of ‘He only wants to protect his country and serve his monarch.,’ adapting actions to the practicalities of the battlefield. If a monarch’s orders contradict reality, commanders, situated in the field and informed about the military situation, must act decisively based on reality rather than mechanically obeying the sovereign’s command, thereby achieving victory in warfare.
Realizing this necessitates a foundation of mutual trust between monarch and commander. If a sovereign doubts a commander, it leads to ‘confusion and uncertainty among the troops,’ inevitably resulting in internal chaos and defeat.
Enterprise Operation: The Inspiration of Trust and the Art of Delegation
Positive Intentions
In a highly trusted team environment, individuals understand that their colleagues think and act for the greater good of others. They don’t feel the need to be guarded; instead, they can authentically engage with each other. There’s no need to be protective or waste time second-guessing intentions and motives. This positive mindset cultivates an attractive and productive work atmosphere.
Diversity and Creativity
High-trust teams embrace opposing opinions, diverse perspectives, and divergent thinking. Everyone in the team is encouraged to voice their thoughts, challenge others’ ideas, and push boundaries. This has a genuinely positive impact on team dynamics and innovative problem-solving.
Collaboration
How a team handles conflict is another vital measure of trust: members of a high-trust team don’t shy away from tricky issues. Instead, they collaborate to address these challenges. In such teams, it’s not about competition, it’s about courageous dialogue and being curious about all choices that lead to the best outcomes.
Ownership
High-performing teams have clear goals and a collective understanding of their objectives and responsibilities. With trust, individuals take ownership of outcomes and can easily provide and receive feedback on performance and contributions to the team. In summary, trust is the cornerstone of success. It fosters an environment where employees feel valued, connected, dynamic, appreciated, empowered, and inspired to be their best selves.
Trusting subordinates reflects a leader’s open-mindedness, garnering their trust and respect
This trust is evident in unwavering belief in their capabilities, established even before selecting and assessing talent. Once chosen, this trust should be unwavering. Managers must fully trust their team, empowering them to work independently by creating conducive environments. Task delegation demands a resolute willingness to relinquish control, fostering a strong sense of responsibility and confidence in subordinates, thereby stimulating their initiative, proactiveness, and creativity.
Delegating correctly eases a leader’s workload, allowing them to focus on more critical, substantial issues
It’s a manifestation of trust in subordinates, unlocking their creativity and driving motivation. This approach aids in talent identification, nurturing, and leveraging individual expertise, ultimately enhancing the organization’s overall strength. It also prevents unilateral decision-making by leaders, reducing the risk of erroneous judgments and subsequent losses.
Conclusion: Legacy of Wisdom and the Power of Synergy
In summary, the principle of “He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign” from Sun Tzu’s Art of War holds profound wisdom applicable to both military and business realms. This synergy, combining trust and empowerment, is not only a strategic approach for victory but also the cornerstone for building robust organizations. Through the legacy of wisdom, we can better comprehend and apply this principle, achieving more synergistic victories whether on the battlefield or in the marketplace.