With the raging dispute that is slowly and painfully crippling the organization that I have grown to love, I could not help but construe that we are trekking the path towards a full-blown war. In cases of organizational discords, it is conceivable that people will be made to choose. Choosing who and what to believe coincides with the truth to which one strongly stands for. Because of the sensitivity of the matter, I will not be divulging any other information that could aggravate the scenario. I would, however, take heed on Sun Tzu’s words of wisdom as he outlines them in his classic book- The Art of War.
During my MA years, we were tasked to do a 10-page book review about several titles that were related to Human Resources Management. I was assigned the Art of War book. I admit that the book was not entirely reader friendly. I had to read it two times to fully comprehend and consequently appreciate the material. I now see the relevance of the author’s ideas with the advent of disturbing issues in the organization. And as far as I am concerned, I would want to give credit to where credit is due. Credit so to speak means victory to the person who truly deserves to lead us. But what is victory and how can it be achieved? Sun Tzu outlines the five essentials for achieving victory.
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.
…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.
