10 life lessons from “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu

Mickey
4 min readJan 28, 2023

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“The Art of War” by Sun Tzu is a timeless classic that has been studied and applied by military leaders, business executives, and entrepreneurs for centuries. In this book, Sun Tzu provides valuable insights and strategies for winning in both war and business.

Applying Sun Tzu’s Principles to Modern Business: A Guide for Entrepreneurs
#artofwar

Here are 10 life lessons from “The Art of War” that can help you achieve success in your own life and business:

  1. Know yourself and your enemy — Sun Tzu believed that the key to victory is to understand yourself and your enemy. In business, this means understanding your strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of your competitors. A real-life example of this is how Amazon continuously analyzes customer behavior and competitors’ strategies to improve their own.
  2. Be flexible and adaptable — Sun Tzu stressed the importance of being able to adapt to changing circumstances. In business, this means being able to pivot your strategy when things aren’t working out. A real-life example of this is how Airbnb shifted their business model from selling air mattresses to becoming a global accommodation provider.
  3. Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak — Sun Tzu believed that the best strategy is to deceive your enemy. In business, this means not revealing all of your cards and keeping your competitors guessing. A real-life example of this is how Tesla has been able to disrupt the automotive industry by keeping their plans for future electric vehicles under wraps.
  4. Use indirect methods to achieve your goals — Sun Tzu believed that the most effective way to win a war is to attack the enemy’s strategy, not his troops. In business, this means attacking your competitors’ weaknesses rather than their strengths. A real-life example of this is how Netflix disrupted the entertainment industry by creating their own content rather than relying on licensing from other studios.
  5. Create a plan and stick to it — Sun Tzu believed that a good plan executed well is better than a perfect plan executed poorly. In business, this means having a clear strategy and sticking to it, even when things get tough. A real-life example of this is how Jeff Bezos has stuck to Amazon’s long-term vision of becoming the “everything store” even when the company was not profitable for many years.
Sun Tzu’s Principles to Modern Business: A Guide for Entrepreneurs
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  1. Be strategic with your resources — Sun Tzu believed that the key to victory is to use your resources wisely. In business, this means being smart about how you spend your time, money, and energy. A real-life example of this is how Mark Zuckerberg has been able to grow Facebook by acquiring complementary companies such as Instagram and WhatsApp.
  2. Use the element of surprise — Sun Tzu believed that the element of surprise is a powerful weapon. In business, this means coming up with innovative ideas and catching your competitors off guard. A real-life example of this is how Uber disrupted the transportation industry by introducing a new way of hailing a ride through a mobile app.
  3. Be aware of your surroundings — Sun Tzu believed that the key to victory is to be aware of what’s happening around you. In business, this means being aware of changes in the market and adapting accordingly. A real-life example of this is how Netflix has been able to stay relevant by shifting from mailing DVDs to streaming content online.
  4. Be decisive — Sun Tzu believed that a leader should be able to make quick and decisive decisions. In business, this means being able to make tough calls when necessary. A real-life example of this is how Steve Jobs was able to lead Apple to success by making bold decisions such as ditching the floppy drive in the iMac and introducing the iPhone, despite the potential risks involved.
  5. Use psychology: Sun Tzu recognized the importance of understanding and manipulating the psychology of both the enemy and one’s own troops. Entrepreneurs can also use psychology to influence customers and employees. One example is how companies like Amazon and Netflix use data and algorithms to predict and influence consumer behavior.

Here are some resources that will help you to know more :

Websites:

AI Website:

YouTube Channels:

  • The Art of War — Sun Tzu
  • Sun Tzu — The Art of War
  • The Art of War — Strategies and Tactics

Blogs:

Newsletters:

  • The Art of War Weekly
  • Sun Tzu’s Strategies for Success

Podcasts:

  • The Art of War Podcast
  • Sun Tzu’s Secrets of Success
  • The Art of War for Entrepreneurs

Please note that, Some of the links may be not available as they are not exist and they are just examples.

In conclusion : It’s worth noting that, regardless of the field you are in, the principles outlined in “The Art of War” can be applied to various aspects of life, including entrepreneurship and business. The key is to understand the underlying principles and adapt them to your specific situation.

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