Art of War by Sun Tzu - the Tao of Leadership

Name: Art of War by Sun Tzu - the Tao of Leadership
Rating: 4.1 (63 reviews)

A focus on the spiritual elements of Art of War for self awareness in leadership and strategy.

Created byPeter Urey

Last updated 9/2015

English

What you'll learn

Understand the central message of Sun Tzu's The Art of War without having to spend hours reading the book and commentary on it.
Appreciate why The Art of War is a classic text in Leadership Development.
Focus on the importance of Self Awareness to great leadership.
Discover ways to cultivate the techniques needed to take decisions without stress.
Recall the most important quotes from the book and relate them to the world of business.

Course content

4 sections • 8 lectures • 34m total length

Our topics of focus - Moral Influence and Command2:22
The Art of War was written in 400 BC in China and much of the text is specific to warfare in that period and geography. In this course we seek to eliminate the material about the Weather, Terrain and Military Logistics and focus on the essence of good leadership and apply it to the business world.

The course will address the subjects of Moral Influence and Command as defined in the book.

Word document attached with outline of the script. Not a full transcription.
Defining Moral Influence and Command2:18
Inner Calm v External Expressions of Power0:51
Before examining Moral Influence and Command we alert you to the differences between the western archetype of leadership and the method proposed by Sun Tzu which, despite the title of the book, places emphasis on Inner Calm as the basis of power.

Cultivating the Tao5:37
Sun Tzu provides us with specific definitions of Moral Influence and Command. We explore them in this lesson and demonstrate their connection to the Oriental concept of the Tao or the Way of Spiritual Discipline.

The concept of the Tao is not an easy one for anybody to grasp easily but it contrasts sharply with the western pre-occupation with leaders building their presence and imposing the strength of their personal style onto the culture of an organisation. In Sun Tzu's world, leaders must withdraw into quiet reflection before taking decisions.
9 Ways to Cultivate the Tao10:47
In this lesson we consider 9 ways in which a westerner could practise basic spiritual disciplines to refine their self awareness and appreciate the ways in which we are all intimately connected.

The objective is to indicate that the suggested techniques are ways to develop the mental style of a leaders seeking the Tao as a guide to sound leadership.

Background to the success and mystique of Sun Tzu's The Art of War3:43
In this lesson we recount a story about the life of Sun Tzu and his appeal to the Warlords of the Warring States Period. We offer a warning that it is easy to misconstrue the story and the book as a treatise on adopting very brutal management techniques if the results can be delivered.

The book is not about the use of direct and unremitting force to achieve ends but about the subtle appreciation of how to generate power responsibly and without unnecessary suffering to others.
Moral considerations in comparing warfare with business2:23
In this lesson we expand on the dangers of conflating warfare with business. We are encouraging you to look beyond the verses on destroying enemies, and by association business competitors, and to concentrate on the deeper philosophy of leadership as the process of self examination and personal growth.

10 of the most helpful quotes6:55
Here we consider 10 of the most popular quotes from The Art of War. They are most likely to be the verses which you will come across in Leadership Development and which you may be required to comment upon.

We are keen to distinguish between the two possible readings of the book which are the invocation to ruthlessness versus the call to spiritual control.

We close with the reminder that in the final analysis Sun Tzu is calling on leaders to embrace The Tao.

Good luck on your Journey along The Way.

Requirements

Students for this course will most likely be already enrolled into a company Leadership Development Scheme or be aware that they face challenges leading others in their own business.
The main requirement is to accept that leadership is a learnt skill which has evolved over centuries and should not be attempted without professional support.

Description

Art of War is one of a handful of must read leadership classics.
It is one of the most quoted but least understood books on the subject.

It's also quite a difficult read because 60% of the book is about the Chinese terrain and climate and about moving men and supplies.
This can feel like a waste of your valuable time but the remaining 40% is pure gold.

It's a book about the mental and spiritual preparation for leadership.
It makes it very clear that strategy and the motivation of others begins with self control.

In this course we focus all of your attention onto the gentle art of stilling the mind to feel the force.
In 45 minutes you will discover the essence of Sun Tzu's leadership message without needing hours of study.

The book is NOT a manual on ways to be ruthless and unprincipled.
In fact it's the polar opposite whilst still having the objective of instructing the reader in the ways of undisputed and total success.

Who this course is for:

People being introduced to Leadership Development, HR Managers and Business Owners who need to learn about leading others without anxiety.
Readers with an interest in classic literature but who want a synopsis before investing time in reading the full text.

Art of War by Sun Tzu - the Tao of Leadership

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction and Objectives3 lectures • 6min

The Tao or The Way of Harmony2 lectures • 16min

Longevity, mystique and moral dilemma2 lectures • 6min

10 Quotes and their meaning1 lecture • 7min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: