Win Thein Oo - Business Management and Sun Tzu's Military Strategy

1. 1. From Sun Tzu to Mao Zedong

Sun Tzu's Treatise on Military Strategy is considered one of the oldest Chinese classics. It is also considered one of the most respected and famous military treatises outside of China. The origin of the treatise and its original author are still disputed. However, military historians generally agree that it was written around 400 to 320 BC, about 100 years after the birth of the two great Chinese philosophers, Lao Tzu and Confucius. Therefore, Sun Tzu's Treatise on Military Strategy is now (2,300) years old.

The influence of this book on military thought is remarkable. For example, even modern military literature and philosophy still refer to and innovate from its teachings. Sun Tzu's military strategies were widely used during the era of the rise of the warlord states (around 453-221 BC). In fact, many of Sun Tzu's military strategies are also reflected in another famous Chinese classic, the "Annals of the Three Kingdoms".

A legend tells of Sun Tzu’s military training of the Chinese emperor’s concubines. After reading Sun Tzu’s book on military strategy, Emperor Wu “Ho Lu” asked Sun Tzu to show his concubines how to use the book in their military training. So Sun Tzu asked him to give him 180 concubines, including the two most beloved concubines, and to give him complete authority over them. When his request was granted, the concubines were divided into two groups. The king’s two favorite concubines were appointed as the leaders of each group. He then taught the women in detail how to play the signal drum and how to perform military maneuvers. Sun Tzu had his officers, armed with deadly weapons, ready to strike them to show how serious he was about the matter (and that if they disobeyed, severe punishment would be meted out). Then Sun Tzu began to play the signal drum as he had instructed. However, the young women did not do as he had been instructed, and none of them obeyed the order, laughing and laughing. Sun Tzu said, “The reason the young women are so disobedient is because the commander’s instructions were unclear and not explained in detail.” He explained again how the signal drum should be played and how the young women should act. Sun Tzu called the young women together and played the signal drum again to tell them to be careful and follow his instructions. This time, the young women did not obey his order, but laughed and laughed and laughed.

This time, Sun Tzu said, “If the soldiers do not obey the general after he has explained his order and given another order, it is not the fault of the general but of the commanders in charge on the battlefield.” In this case, the emperor’s two favorite concubines were the leaders of the two groups, so they were responsible as commanders in charge on the battlefield. At the same time, he issued an order to “behead” the two concubines as punishment. When the emperor heard of this order, he asked Sun Tzu to spare the lives of his two favorite concubines. Sun Tzu not only refused the emperor’s request, but also responded, “A person who has been appointed as the commander-in-chief of the army does not have to obey any authority in his army.” And by confirming the death sentence imposed on the two beautiful concubines of the emperor, he set a memorable example for the rest of the concubines. Then, he appointed two other concubines as the leaders of the two groups, and the signal drum was again played. As soon as the signal drum was played, the young women followed Sun Tzu’s instructions, turning left, turning right, looking ahead, standing up, kneeling, and so on. All the young women obeyed the order in silence. No one dared to make a sound.

In modern times, Sun Tzu's treatise on military strategy is a compulsory textbook in military academies around the world, and it is undeniable that it has influenced military thought. Mao Zedong's words, "Know your enemy, know yourself. If you fight a hundred battles, you will win a hundred victories," are actually excerpts from one of Sun Tzu's sayings, as follows:

"He who knows himself and his enemy well,

He is sure to win every battle.”

"He who knows only himself and does not know his enemy,

He has a chance to win.”

"He who knows neither himself nor his enemy,

"He is certain to lose every battle."

"Know your enemy, know yourself."

"Make sure you know. Your success cannot be threatened."

"Know the water and soil conditions, the weather conditions,

"Make it known. You will achieve complete success."

1. 2. Japanese Military Philosophy and Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu's treatise on military strategy has also had an influence on Japanese military thought. It first reached Japan around 716-735 AD. The first Western translation did not appear until about a thousand years later. The English translation did not appear until 1905, but the first Western translation was published in French around 1772. The English translation was done by Captain E. F. Caltrot, a British Army officer who was studying in Japan. In modern times, translations into other languages, such as Russian and German, have also appeared. However, the majority of translations are in Japanese, and there are more than (13) of them.

Interestingly, Sun Tzu's philosophies were successfully applied on the battlefield by the Japanese as early as the 16th century. Takeda Shinjin, one of the four great generals of that era, often had the following verses inscribed on his battle flag:

"Moves as fast as the wind..

As calm as a forest..

Destroying bamboo like a flame...

Standing strong like a mountain..."

The Japanese general's words are quite similar to the following principles of military strategy in Sun Tzu's treatise on military strategy:

"If you move, be as fast as the wind."

When you are slow, be calm and steady like a forest.

When you attack, be fierce like fire.

When it comes to defense, be strong like mountains.

When you disappear, let it disappear like darkness.

Once attacked, the weapon of war roars like a thunderbolt.

"Let him go."

Many Japanese military texts are also influenced by Sun Tzu. For example, the information in the Japanese military classic The Book of Five Rings, which appeared around 1645 AD, is quite similar to Sun Tzu's writings, including the elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space.

In modern warfare, Sun Tzu's writings have clearly influenced Japanese military strategy and behavior. For example, during World War II, the Japanese declared that "the American Pearl Harbor will never be attacked." In fact, at that time, the Japanese were preparing to bomb Pearl Harbor. When the Japanese attacked, the Americans were completely defenseless and suffered heavy casualties. Many people still find it hard to believe that the Japanese lied at that time. In fact, the Japanese were simply putting into practice the principle of "deception" in Sun Tzu's military strategy. Another example is that the British army expected the Japanese to attack Singapore from the sea during World War II. So they turned their guns towards the sea. Logically, the Japanese would have been able to successfully invade Singapore only by sea. However, in reality, the Japanese army marched in by land from the Malay Peninsula, which the British completely unexpected, and attacked by surprise. This was a practical application of Sun Tzu's military principle of "taking by surprise".

1. 3. Japan's militarized economic practices

Japanese military philosophy and strategy have had an incredible influence on their management practices. For example, during the 1970s and early 1980s, when the Japanese management craze was at its peak, the Japanese samurai Miyamoto Musashi's influential book, The Book of Five Rings, was widely adopted. It is considered a "must-read" for every Japanese CEO. Its English translation has also become a bestseller. Much of the information in the book is copied from Sun Tzu's The Book of War.

In addition to Japanese military textbooks, there are three Chinese classics that are recommended as must-reads for every Japanese chief executive. At the top of the list of these three books is "Sun Tzu's Military Strategy," followed by "The Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms" (another famous classic on military strategy) and "Journey to the West" (a classic account of the legend of the Monkey King Wukong).

There is another Chinese classic that Japanese CEOs should read, even though they may not have read it for various reasons. It is called “The Waterfront,” and it describes how to use various strategies to win wars. It describes good people who rebel against the establishment of the established country. (It is like Robin Hood in Western literature.) Although the rebels in this book are honest, they are against the establishment of the established country, which is not in line with the management value system of Japanese managers. Those who are familiar with Chinese classics may also reject the Monkey King Wukong in “Journey to the West” as a rebel. However, there is a big difference here. Unlike the rebels in “The Waterfront,” the Monkey King Wukong is under control. When the Monkey King disobeyed his orders, his teacher, a Buddhist monk, would chant mantras and inflict unbearable pain on the Monkey King. In this way, the Monkey King was protected from committing any behavior that his teacher would not accept.

The military-like work ethic has influenced Japanese business practices not only because Japanese businessmen study military books. Japanese companies also make their workers and managers participate in “annual” or “regular” management training camps. These training camps are not only military-style, but also include drills, platoon exercises, and practical exercises in survival under various conditions. The training is so intense that some who cannot resist it drop out. However, those who successfully complete these camps become highly effective managers, decision-makers, and potential administrators.