Sun Tzu's The Art of War explained in 2 minutes

The Art of War is a definitive guide to military strategy written by Chinese general Sun Tzu around 500 BC. Its advice has been a consistent source of inspiration for business owners, athletes, and leaders in any field. These are the core principles, in my own words...

All warfare is based on deception. The key to success is to mislead opponents so that you can impose your will on them. When you’re strong, appear weak. Look inactive when you’re being active, near when you’re far away, etc.

Know when not to fight by only taking on battles you can win. If someone is stronger than you, steer clear. You will remain undefeated. Can your business beat your biggest competitor? If not, consider alternative areas to dominate.

Be mindful of dangerous flaws. Recklessness causes destruction. Cowardice leads to defeat. A hot temper can be easily provoked. Worrying about your image can hamper tough decision-making. Being too attached to individuals stops you from thinking as a whole.

Lead your team as if leading a single person by the hand. Divide everyone into small groups and use clear targets to steer them in the right direction. Treat them like family and they will repay you with loyalty.

Be decisive and quick. No one benefits from a drawn-out battle. A well-timed decision should feel like a falcon swooping out of nowhere to seize its prey. Being first in any field projects an image of readiness. Being second means playing catch-up.

But don’t just improvise as you go along. Information is everything, so plan carefully. Take stock of your team’s well-being and measure your resources. An enlightened leader will have studied the lay of the land before forging ahead.

Avoid these three fatal mistakes.

1) Don't hobble your team by instructing them to do things they can't.

2) Don't promote the wrong people. This undermines faith in your decision-making.

3) Don't overwork staff. Focus on harnessing combined energy, not over-stretching people.

You’re more likely to succeed when you’re capable of managing both inferior and superior teams, and when everyone involved brings the same energy. Establish one standard value (like courage, or attention-to-detail) that everybody must share.

Finally, only take action when it benefits you. Doing things for the sake of it is pointless. If taking a step forward does not give you an advantage, remain where you are.