Intro:
Business isn’t just about surviving; it’s about domination. Whether you’re launching a new product or taking on a behemoth competitor, you’re playing for keeps. Sun Tzu’s ancient strategies in The Art of War still apply to the modern business battlefield. The question is—are you asking the right questions to make sure you come out on top? Answer these seven, and you’ll know if you’re ready to lead your business to victory, or if you’re just another player waiting to get crushed.
Question 1:
“Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?”
The first rule of leadership is simple: if no one’s following you, you’re not leading. A team that’s aligned with the company’s vision is willing to go the extra mile, not just because it’s their job, but because they believe in the mission. If your team doesn’t trust you or your business values, they won’t fight for your vision. And if they aren’t fighting for you, guess what? They’re either fighting for themselves—or worse, for your competitors. A team that’s united under a strong leader becomes an unshakable force in the market.
Expansion: Moral alignment goes beyond internal culture; it extends to how your customers perceive you. If the people working for you don’t believe in the mission, it will show in the product, in the customer service, and in the overall brand experience. Take a good look at the internal morale—are your people here for a paycheck, or do they believe in the cause? Because if they don’t believe in you, neither will your customers.
Question 2:
“Which of the two generals has most ability?”
The battlefield is filled with leaders who make decisions but lack the ability to make the right ones. How often are you making choices that push your business forward? How adaptable are you when things go sideways? Leadership isn’t just about holding meetings and shaking hands—it’s about action. If you’re not stepping up and leading from the front, someone else is. And they’re going to take your market share while you’re busy rearranging your desk.
Expansion: Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about getting things done when it matters. Are you the one people look to when tough calls need to be made, or do they seek direction elsewhere? Strong leadership shows itself in the results you get, not the authority you project. A leader who can rally their team, pivot when needed, and guide through uncertainty is the one who wins. The rest? They’re just managing the status quo until the market swallows them whole.
Question 3:
“With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?”
Timing can make or break a business. You could have the best product, the strongest team, and the perfect marketing plan, but if the timing’s wrong, it’s all for nothing. Market conditions, consumer sentiment, and even world events can either create an opening or close a door. Are you paying attention to the world around you, or are you just hoping for the best?
Expansion: In business, seizing the right moment isn’t luck—it’s strategic awareness. Look at any industry titan, and you’ll see a company that didn’t just jump into a trend—they anticipated it. Timing can mean launching when the competition is weak, or introducing a product when the market is ready to embrace it. Missing the wave doesn’t just leave you in the dust; it can put you in a hole you’ll never climb out of. Are you riding the market trends, or is the market riding over you?
Question 4:
“On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?”
A well-oiled machine runs on discipline. Businesses that win are businesses that stick to their systems. Is your company operating with clear goals, structure, and accountability? Or is it a loose collection of ideas with everyone just winging it? A lack of discipline might work for a time, but when the pressure hits, undisciplined businesses collapse under their own weight.
Expansion: Discipline doesn’t just mean keeping the lights on—it means consistently executing the plan, day after day. It’s about having the ability to pivot without throwing everything into chaos. Do your processes hold up when challenges arise? Do your teams know their roles, or are they constantly reinventing the wheel? Discipline in business is what keeps you moving forward when the competition is scrambling. Businesses that enforce discipline outperform those that are just hoping everything falls into place.
Question 5:
“Which army is stronger?”
When it comes down to the wire, strength matters. Are you financially secure enough to weather tough times? Do you have the talent to push your strategy forward, or are you hoping sheer willpower will get you through? Your business’s strength comes from its resources—both the people you employ and the capital you can deploy. Strong businesses don’t rely on hope; they rely on resources.
Expansion: Strength isn’t just about having cash in the bank; it’s about being able to outlast your competitors in a prolonged battle. When competition heats up, do you have the reserves to ramp up, or are you hoping to ride out the storm? If you’re constantly cutting corners or making do with less, don’t be surprised when a better-prepared competitor overtakes you. Strength in business is about readiness. Are you ready?
Question 6:
“On which side are officers and men more highly trained?”
Training is the difference between good enough and great. If your competitors are investing in their people and you’re not, then guess what? They’re going to outperform you. Training isn’t just about skill—it’s about sharpening instincts, building confidence, and preparing for the unexpected. A well-trained team doesn’t just execute; they excel.
Expansion: Your team is your greatest asset—if they know what they’re doing. Are you giving them the tools they need to grow, or are you just hoping they’ll figure it out on their own? A business that invests in its people invests in its future. If your team is stagnating, your business will be too. Competitors who take training seriously will outperform those who don’t, and the gap will only get wider over time.
Question 7:
“In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?”
Consistency is key. Do your people know exactly what to expect when they succeed—or when they fail? Inconsistent rewards and unclear consequences create uncertainty, and uncertainty is a killer in business. Are you rewarding success and punishing failure fairly and consistently, or is it all just a guessing game? Your team’s performance will match the clarity of your expectations.
Expansion: Businesses that win are businesses where everyone knows the score. When success is rewarded, it’s repeated. When failure is addressed, it’s corrected. Mixed signals about what’s valued and what’s penalized create confusion and kill morale. If you want your team to consistently perform at a high level, make sure they know the stakes and the rewards. Consistency breeds confidence. Confidence leads to success.
Conclusion:
There’s no silver bullet in business, but these seven questions can give you a pretty good idea of whether you’re heading for victory or defeat. Be honest with yourself. If you’re strong in some areas and weak in others, that’s okay. The key is recognizing where you need to improve—and then doing something about it. Because at the end of the day, in the battle for market share, the best strategy always wins.
