Slightly over 133 pounds (about 60 kilograms).
3 500 kilometers, or about 310 miles.
4 Sun Tzu is referring to the professional (trained) army and the masses of untrained conscripts.
5 This reference to “nine changes” has confused scholars and translators for centuries; we can only surmise that they refer to the (10) points listed on page 29.
6 The “Tao of defeat.”
Sun Tzu for Women
“… supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resis-tance without fighting.”—Sun Tzu
The Art of War was written for the military leaders of the time, virtually all of whom were men. Fortunately, these strategies and tactics are universal, not gender-specific: they can be (and have been) successfully used by clever women and men all over the world.
This book addresses ways in which women can use Sun Tzu’s principles to help them succeed in a wide range of competitive environments. The differences in scope and audience lie not so much within the teachings of Sun Tzu, but rather in the ways that women can embrace and apply them to their own advantage.
1: Planning
“Warfare is of vital importance to the state, the basis of life and death, the way to survival or extinction. Therefore, it is essential to structure it according to the pros and cons of the five constant factors.”—Sun Tzu
This chapter introduces the five main pillars on which The Art of War is based:
1. Integrity
2. Conditions
3. Obstacles
4. Leadership/credibility
5. Management/policy
The topics introduced here, and their significance to women, will reappear in greater detail and different contexts throughout this book.
Integrity
“Righteousness (integrity) is the force that underlies creation.”—Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu emphasized integrity as an underlying force, or moral checkpoint, to the warrior’s ambitions. Why is this important to women?
Several reasons, the first of which may be to question the status quo of blind ambition established and widely accepted largely by the male community. Another potential issue is that the newest kid on the block, i.e., the visible minority (including women), is likely to attract more than her fair share of attention. Thus small errors of judgment, and of course indiscretions, tend to be magnified and remembered.
Basically, the message is to do the right thing (and avoid doing the wrong thing). Which begins with asking yourself why you want to do something, and the likely result if you succeed.
Example: Why do I want to be selected as the project manager?
a) To grow as a professional?
b) To motivate the team?
c) To get a promotion?
d) To get a raise?
e) To gain recognition as a woman?
f) To win a bet?
g) To keep someone else from getting it?
Personal growth and motivating yourself and others (a and b) are, in most cases, healthy and inspiring. In combination, they suggest an ideal path for women (men too, when they slow down long enough to take stock).
Seeking promotions and raises (c and d) can be worthwhile as long as you consider the cost of succeeding. Are you taking this track just because the guys are doing it, or is it something you really want for yourself? Are you prepared to rise up to the challenge of elevated expectations in exchange for more money and status? If so, go for it and good luck! But at least think about the pros and cons, and consider whether the new responsibilities are your cup of tea.
A goal of recognition as a woman is a tricky one and may prove to be a bad choice even with the best of intentions. While gaining recognition is admittedly important, this motive has the potential to lead you astray. If you really want the job (promotion, etc.), there’s nothing wrong with using the recognition factor to add fuel to your enthusiasm. Beyond that, it may be no better than the latter two incentives.
You have surely recognized that the final pair (f and g) aren’t worth your effort. For one thing, they encourage the futility of trying to get something you may not be suited for—much less want. Even more importantly, they are negative pursuits. Since you may have to work harder than most men to prove yourself, why waste your time and effort on a dead-end path?
There’s an old saying that people would throw more things away if they weren’t afraid that someone else might pick them up.
It isn’t selfish to do what works for you.
Being true to yourself puts you in a more comfortable position and frame of mind to do right by those around you. Treating colleagues fairly, lending an occasional helping hand, and being known as a reliable person are likely to benefit you as well. Granted, there may be a few individuals who won’t like you no matter what you do, but that is more often their problem than yours.
We’re not suggesting that you sacrifice your interests to allow your colleagues to succeed. That’s silly and unnecessary. Rather, maintain your code of ethics, do what feels right and seems to work for you, and establish an equilibrium between career goals and your sense of self.
Ambition for its own sake has long been associated with the males of our species; females are known to be more nurturing. Well, don’t be mislead into thinking that ambition is anti-feminine, or that you’ll have to emulate a bunch of “gentlemanly” characteristics in order to succeed.
Not when you can pursue a professional and healthy balance as a successful woman! We will pursue these ideas in greater depth throughout the following chapters.
Synopsis
If you are true to yourself, fair to others, and consistent, the rest will follow.
Taking Advantage
“When it is advantageous, move; when not advantageous, stop.”—Sun Tzu
The
