Blog

Having covered the five fundamental factors, let us reflect on Sun Tzu’s summary: “There is no general who is unfamiliar with these five matters. Those who master them will win; those who do not will fail.”

It’s so apt we have come to the fifth fundamental factor: “By doctrine, I mean the way the army is organized in its proper sub-divisions, the gradations of ranks among the officers, the maintenance of supply routes and the control of provisioning for the army.” 

Leadership’s importance led Sun Tzu to advocate the fourth fundamental factor: “By command, I mean the general’s stand for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.” 

Sun Tzu’s third fundamental factor declares: “By earth, I mean whether the distances

are great or short, whether the ground is easy or difficult to travel on, whether it is

open ground or narrow passes, and the chances of life and death.”

When interpreting Sun Tzu’s second fundamental factor, “heaven” as climate or weather, I had advocated taking an abstract view to go beyond physical climate of “winter’s cold, summer’s heat.” Thus, when applied to an organization, having a conducive climate will certainly ensure success.