Quick Quote on Leadership (Sun Tzu)

Posted by Aleksandar M. Velkoski on November 27, 2009 under Leadership Quotes | Be the First to Comment

Sun Tzu is thought to have been a general and/or military strategist in the Wu region of China in the 6th century BC. He is most notable for his prized work on military strategy called The Art of War. Within that text, Sun Tzu attempts to explain to readers much of what it takes to be an effective and successful leader in war.  I’ve pulled the following quote from his chapter on variation in tactics:

“There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: 1) Recklessness, which leads to destruction; 2) Cowardice, which leads to capture; 3)  A hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; 4) A delicacy of honor, which is sensitive to shame; 5) Over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble. These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war.”

Although Sun Tzu’s philosophies on leadership are military focused, those philosophies can be interpreted in a more business sense. I would highly suggest reading this book if you haven’t done so already. If you have, I’d suggest reading it once more.

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