#3 Sun Tzu's Moral Law: The Guiding Compass for Leadership and Organizational Success

As explained earlier, it is the moral compass which points us towards the correct direction. It can be illustrated in an organization’s mission statement. It spells out the organization’s continuing purpose for certain categories of stakeholders, e.g. employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, etc. We should also consider our personal raison d’etre (reason for existence). Are the purposes fair and objective in guiding our dealings with others?

Why many don’t succeed as they should

However, having a mission statement will still be useless if its aspirations are not communicated and practiced. This will happen when a mission statement is put up just for show, e.g. “since others have it, we too must show we have.” That’s why many organizations and people are not doing as well as they should. Those who appreciate it as a powerful tool to harness their people’s potential for going after a focused goal will make sure their mission statement clearly is understood and put into practice.

To prove my point

After Fred Smith was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1969, he founded Federal Express. Having had flown hundreds of combat helicopter missions, this brave captain had been awarded a Bronze Star, Silver Star and two Purple Hearts. More important, he had learned what it would take for people to follow him “in life and unto death”, i.e. in good or bad times. With this understanding, his company declares: “Our Corporate philosophy is succinctly stated:  People-Service-Profit (P-S-P).  Take care of our people; they in turn, will deliver the impeccable service demanded by our customers, who will reward us with the profitability necessary to secure our future.”

That philosophy has been influencing the mission statement of FedEx (as the Company is now called): “FedEx Corporation will produce superior financial returns for its share-owners by providing high value-added logistics, transportation and related business services through focused operating companies. Customer requirements will be met in the highest quality manner appropriate to each market segment served. FedEx will strive to develop mutually rewarding relationships with its employees, partners and suppliers. Safety will be the first consideration in all operations. Corporate activities will be conducted to the highest ethical and professional standards.”

Is it any wonder that FedEx is the leader in the fiercely competitive global shipping industry? 

In the public sector, a mission statement is also necessary. For 23 years since 1995, I taught Sun Tzu’s Art of War for leadership to the officers of the Singapore Police Force. I would remind them of their moral law: “To uphold the law, maintain order and keep the peace in the Republic of Singapore. We do this by working in partnership with the community to protect life and property, prevent crime and disorder, detect and apprehend the offenders and preserve a sense of security.”

After Commissioner Khoo Boon Hui took over from Commissioner Tee Tua Ba in July 1997, he maintained it as he saw its effectiveness. As his speeches often reminded his officers of their mission, they were thus encouraged to refer to it in their reports or initiatives. 

In 2022, when the Founder of Universal Business Academy (UBA), Dr. Shirley Tan invited me to “suntzunize” the executive MBA and DBA graduates of Jesselton University College, I naturally checked UBA’s mission statement. I then tested whether UBA management and staff really went by “To offer high-quality, affordable, and cutting-edge courses which specialize in English, Teaching, soft skills, and Executive Programs. We do this by using the most effective teaching methods via virtual and live training classes.”

UBA personnel passed on every count except once. Many graduates also spoke highly of UBA.  Thus, I would be suntzunizing them the third time on October 19, 2024.