Some Notes From Sawyer's Lever of Power

Following is the text from the back cover

Despite being disparaged as the refuge of the weak and pernicious, the chosen mode of Asiatic and other duplicitous peoples, ever since antiquity deceptive measures have enabled dramatic battlefield success by acting as a “lever or power.” Historical records unequivocally show both China and the West have virtually unbroken traditions of innovating deceit and employing deception. Western tacticians theorized less, but they well recognized the advantages of deceit, maneuver, betrayal, and false treaties.

            Lever of Power comprehensively examines deception’s historical evolution in China and the West; provides extensive translations of important Chinese, Greek, and Latin military writings on the concept; and characterizes the chief measures in terms of method, dynamics, and objective. Numerous important, commonly recognized historical exemplifications – many still assiduously studied in PRC think tanks -- are provided for each category, resulting in a fundamental study of deception that synthesizes theory and illustrative case studies.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Ralph Sawyer, a leading student of intelligence and strategy, is the world’s authority on Chinese theory and practice about these matters. The research is phenomenal and the book summarizes his ideas with power and elegance. No one interested in deception and strategy can afford to miss it.”

Dr. John Ferris, Authorized Historian, GCHQ

Professor of History, University of Calgary

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ralph D. Sawyer is a historical scholar and strategic consultant who has specialized in Chinese military and intelligence issues for five decades. His well reviewed analytical writings include the companion volume, The Tao of Deception: Unorthodox Warfare in Historic and Modern China, The Tao of Spycraft, Ancient Chinese Warfare, Conquest and Domination, and Fire and Water. His highly praised translations, all of which feature extensive historical introductions, range from the groundbreaking Seven Military Classics of Ancient China through Sun-tzu’s Art of War, Sun Pin’s Military Methods, the Hundred Unorthodox Strategies, Strategies for the Human Realm, The Tao of War, and Zhuge Liang: Strategy, Achievements, and Writings. A long term Fellow of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies and a visiting scholar at numerous institutions, he continues to be a Senior Research Fellow with the Warring States Project.

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Click here if you are interested in purchasing this book.

An Interesting Podcast Topic: Interviewing Dr. Sawyer on Ancient Chinese Warfare (John Batchelor Show)

If you are interested in the subject matter of  Ancient Chinese Warfare,  click here for an interested podcast interview.

More Notes on Dr. Ralph Sawyer's "Lever of Power" Book

Source: QuoteAddicts

Lever of Power: Deception Theory and Practice in China and the West
   Although the term always had negative connotations, deception continued to be zealously employed to attain political and military aims in both China and the West throughout history. However, only China pondered its nature and developed an extensive literature on its theory and application in military contexts.

Apart from examining the concept's parameters, Lever of Power will discuss the important categories of practice, illustrate them with numerous instances of deception's successful application in both cultures, and provide an overview of important pronouncements and refinements over the ages in works as diverse as Sun-tzu's Art of War, theT'ai-pai Yin-ching, and the Stratagems of Frontinus and Polyaenus.

More to come.

Succeeding in the Field Game with the Moscow Rules or the Sunzi's Victory Temple Model

(updated on 12/27/14 11:18.11)

It has been rumored that the some or most covert field operators have usually function under some aspects of the Moscow rules especially in chaotic times. Whether one could use this set in a complex setting is quite questionable.

The Moscow Rules
Following is an abbreviated list of the probably-fictional Moscow Rules that has circulated around the Internet and in fiction:

• Assume nothing.
• Murphy is right.
• Don't look back; you are never completely alone.
• Everyone is potentially under opposition control.
• Go with the flow, blend in.
• Vary your pattern and stay within your cover.
• Any operation can be aborted. If it feels wrong, it is wrong.
• Maintain a natural pace.
• Lull them into a sense of complacency.
• Build in (the) opportunity, but use it sparingly.
• Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. (borrowed from Muhammad Ali, aka Cassius Clay.)
• Don't harass the opposition.
• There is no limit to a human being's ability to rationalize the truth.
• Pick the time and place for action.
• Keep your options open.
• Technology will always let you down.
• Once is an accident. Twice is coincidence. Three times is an enemy action. (taken from Ian Fleming's novel Goldfinger)
• Don't attract attention, even by being too careful

Click here for another version of the rules.  

Following is the International Spy Museum (Washington, D.C.,) version of the Moscow Rules are given as:^[2]

1. Assume nothing.
2. Never go against your gut.
3. Everyone is potentially under opposition control.
4. Don't look back; you are never completely alone.
5. Go with the flow, blend in.
6. Vary your pattern and stay within your cover.
7. Lull them into a sense of complacency.
8. Don't harass the opposition.
9. Pick the time and place for action.
10. Keep your options open.

"Although no one had written them down, they were the precepts we all understood ... By the time they got to Moscow, everyone knew these rules. They were dead simple and full of common sense...".<sup>[1]  
- Tony Mendez</sup>
Source:  wikipedia.org

Regardless of the political change of our global economy, the Moscow Rules are still utilized by some field strategists. ... Whether it is effective in a complex setting, is questionable? 

So, do you think it is important to learn the the Moscow Rules before going on the field?

Comments From The Compass Desk
So, what is wrong with using these rules?  They lacked the tactical specifics on how to utilize it and when to employ it. 

To be strategically effective, the field operators must possessed proper training and practical experience.   Having the strategic instinct is an asset. 

• Do you know when should one "assume nothing?"   ... 
• Do you know when the Murphy Law is applied?   ... 
• Do you know when to go against your instinct and when to go with your instinct?

• Do you know why one should vary their pattern of operation and stay within their cover?
• Do you know when and how to lull them into a sense of complacency?
• Do you know why harassing the opposition is a bad idea? 
• Do you know when is a good time to harass the opposition?
• Do you know when to pick the time and the place for action?
• Do you know when to keep your options open?
• Better yet, do you know when to go with the flow and blend in?

Those who are deep in the strategy game, usually mindfully understand the notion of assessing the configuration of their Big Tangible Picture instead of just using the rules, for the obvious reason of minimizing negative after-effects.  When the factors of risk, uncertainty and volatility are numerous, applying this result-oriented process model becomes relevant.

Operating on simple rules and/or on base instinct could only go so far. Those who succeed with that approach usually succeed in simple strategic settings. But they frequently grinded toward their target in unique complex situations.

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The Victory Temple Model
“These are the ways that successful strategists are victorious. They cannot be spoken or transmitted in advance. ... Before the confrontation, they resolve in their temple (or conference room) that they will be victorious, have determined that the majority of factors are in their favor. Before the confrontation they resolve in their temple (or conference room) that they will not be victorious, have determined a few factors are in their favor.  

If those who find that the majority of factors favor them, will be victorious while those who have found few factors favor them will be defeated, what about someone who finds no factors in their favor? 

When observing from this viewpoint, victory and defeat will be apparent.”
- Art of War 1 (Paraphrased from the Sawyer's translation)

Click here for more information on the Sunzi's Victory Temple Model.

# One of the best books for understanding this perspective is Dr. Ralph D. Sawyer's Tao of Spycraft.

Ralph Sawyer's first book on the history of Chinese intelligence, The Tao of Spycraft, was written to help correct what he perceived to be a general "lack of interest in China's achievements in the thorny field of intelligence." He adds that a detailed historical treatment is needed for two reasons. First, "no nation has practiced the craft of intelligence or theorized about it more extensively than China." Second, the current government in China employs the ancient precedents and practices that have proved successful for thousands of years.¹⁵ The result was a very detailed account of the techniques employed long before the Christian era by Chinese warring states. These methods were informed by the principles elucidated in Sun Tzu's Art of War and concentrated on the theory of agents, evaluating men, and the importance of terrain. In The Tao of Deception, or the way of the unorthodox,¹⁶ Sawyer extends his approach to espionage, surprise and deception in warfare.

Since Chinese warfare is and has been guided by fundamentally different principles--with the emphasis on the unorthodox--from those applied by European military tacticians, Westerners must learn the oriental approach, and Sawyer provides examples drawn from events throughout the dynastic periods (2853 BCE-1911). Sawyer acknowledges the use of deception in the West, but he contends it is not yet as integrated into military thinking and planning as it is in China. The final chapter discusses deception's applicability to intelligence operations in today's Peoples Republic of China, including their implications for possible future conflict. The book is extensively documented with both Chinese and English sources, many of the latter translations from Chinese.

Neither of Sawyer's volumes is easy reading--they are not introductory texts. And for readers unfamiliar with Chinese history and language, the task is doubly difficult. The names and relationships require considerable concentration. Nevertheless, for those who are concerned about China's historic and contemporary approaches to intelligence and deception operations, it is worth the effort.

Source: intel. central

This book espouses many intelligence gathering concepts, that does not directly connect to the topic of strategic and tactical factors. You just have to discover it and take the time to connect it to your situational setting or you can wait for us to publish some aspects of the Victory Temple algorithm.

There are other great books to this thematic subject. We will discussed this topic in a later post.

Click here for more information on the Sunzi's Victory Temple model.

Side Note: Then there are those who preferred to operate in the field by using the Phoenix List.



Comments From the Compass Desk

So, which strategic approach would you choose?

Knowing the rules and using simplified models in a complex and chaotic setting, could only go so far.   In most cases, grinding one step at a time is psychologically tasking.

In the Chinese strategy game, one focuses on the singularity (the Dao) of the situation before deciding on whether to pursue the obvious move or the exceptional move (non-obvious move). 

None of us are field operators. Nonetheless, we are just good observers who understand how the strategic process of properly assessing the Big Tangible Picture and the levels within it, could offer a slight advantage. 

The Dao Of The Compass 

Assess your grand setting by using the macro principles from the Seven Military Classics  of Ancient China.

Position by deciding the specifics of your strategic view (priority objectives, approach, condition guidelines and escapative guidelines) before developing your script of moves and counter moves 

Influence the setting with your script of moves while quietly assessing and positioning forward.

Suggestion: 
When or if you are residing in a chaotic field, carrying your copy of Sunzi's essay and/or a list of the Moscow rules is not going to help at all.

Wear your hoodie, carry your "Go Bag" and keep on moving while staying mindfully aware of your settings and beyond. Reflectively know what is the Big Tangible Picture before assessing its configuration in terms of threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths.

Positioning yourself forward with your script. 

Influencing your setting of the Big Tangible Picture with the macro concepts from the Sunzi classic.

Good luck!

An Interesting Paper on Clandestine Communication in Historic China by Dr. Ralph Sawyer

Those who are interested in historical Chinese warfare, should click here for a paper on “Clandestine Communication in Historic China.”  It was presented last October at the Symposium on Cryptologic History by Dr. Ralph D. Sawyer. 

This paper may be read online or freely downloaded as a PDF file at Journal of Military Strategic Studies.

The Tao of Spycraft

Some aspects of the article could be found in Dr. Sawyer's Spycraft book.


Who is Dr. Ralph D. Sawyer
Ralph D. Sawyer, an independent historical scholar who studied at MIT and Harvard and serves as a consultant to international conglomerates and defense agencies, specializes in Chinese military and intelligence issues. He is Senior Research Fellow with the Warring States Project and a Fellow of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies.

Listen to Dr. Ralph Sawyer's View on the Dao De Jing on the John Batchelor's Radio Show

This past evening, John Batchelor  interviewed Dr. Ralph D. Sawyer, a famous Chinese military history expert and the translator of Sun Tzu (Sunzi) Art of War on the martial perspective of Dao De Jing. 

Click here  for the audio. 

Comments From the Compass Desk 
Those who have complied with the essence of the Dao De Jing, understand that the principal challenge in life is to fluidly manage the on-coming changes while maintaining their virtue. 

One of the most challenging tasks for any reader of the Dao De Jing  is to connect their personal experiences to one of the 81 chapters.   This feat would enable one to comprehend the state of their virtue while deciding on how to adjust to the extremity of a situation. It also allows him/her to anticipate certain forthcoming opportunities.

Our experience tells us that this feat could only be achieved by consistently possessing and maintaining a center of mindfulness.   ... More on this unique view will be expanded in a future post.   

Side note: You could learn more on the basics of centerness by visiting Cook Ding's Kitchen.

We highly recommended this translation of the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching)  for those who are involved in a highly competitive terrain  and are in need of a "worldly" viewpoint.   . . . 

Endorsement  of Other Translations
We also highly endorsed the D.C. Lau's  and  the Dr. Roger T. Ames translation of the Dao De Jing  for a different perspective.

Side Note 
Choosing the tactical approach of wu-wei to complete for any objective in an predictable setting is easy for any neophyte/professional amateur.  Determining the predictability of a situation while implementing the same "idealistic" approach in an uncertain setting is the real challenge.  We will discuss more on this topic later.

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Dr. Ralph Sawyer on the John Batchelor's Radio Show

updated on 4.23.14

We have heard through our sources that Dr. Ralph D. Sawyer, a famous Chinese Military History expert and the translator of Sun Tzu (Sunzi) Art of War, have been recently interviewed by John Batchelor's.  This future radio interview will be focused on his recent book on the Zhou era and the Martial version of Dao De Jing. 

Notes on the John Batchelor Show
The John Batchelor's show usually focuses on a multitude of national and international issues that matters.  Mr. Batchelor does a superlative job in transforming an issue into a well-thought out story. Their "book review" portion of the show is always fascinating.  

Some of us preferred the weekly "Hotel California" segment that focuses on the state of California or the Tuesday segment on the conservative view of the economy while I personally preferred the topic of "NASA and space travel."

Those who are engaged in the "moderate to high risk, high reward" strategy game, could learn something unique from this show.

Click here  if you are interested in listening to any of John Batchelor recent radio shows.  

Comments From the Compass Desk 
Those who have complied with the essence of the Dao De Jing, know that the challenge in life is to manage the on-coming changes while maintaining their virtue. 

One of the most challenging tasks for anyone  is to connect their personal experiences to one of the 81 chapters of Dao De Jing.  Our experience tells us that this feat could only be achieved by consistently possessing and maintaining a center of mindfulness.   ... We will expand our view on this matter in a future post.   

Side note: You could learn more on the basics of centerness by visiting Cook Ding's Kitchen.

We highly recommended this translation of the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching) especially for those who are involved in a highly competitive situation.   . . .  We also highly endorsed the D.C. Lau's  and  the Dr. Roger T. Ames translation of the Dao De Jing  . 

# # #

A Tangible Book on the Achievements of Zhuge Liang by Dr. Ralph Sawyer

Updated on 11.29.2014

Click here for our review of the book.  (11.29.14)

A decidedly historic figure whose legend was increasingly magnified over the centuries, Zhuge Liang (Chu-ko Liang) has long been regarded as a brilliant strategist, commander, administrator, inventor, practitioner of the esoteric arts, originator of arcane wisdom, military thinker, and a sagacious king maker. His geostrategic insights rescued Liu Pei from extinction, resulting in China’s Three Kingdoms period, and his innovative tactics – including the “empty city ploy” -- reportedly resulted in defeating vastly superior, often befuddled foes. His escapades and achievements have become the subject of tales and novels, movies and tv serializations, and he looms large in war games and contemporary media. However, understanding his extensive military writings requires penetrating the myths and stories, discerning Chu-ko Liang’s real accomplishments, and acknowledging his shortcomings. In addition to a complete, annotated translation of all his martial works and many of his missives and memorials,Zhuge Liang: Strategy, Achievements, and Writings contains an extensive historical introduction which outlines the military context, examines his strategic thought, and analyzes the numerous campaigns he personally directed after Liu Pei’s death. Insights from the Art of War and other classic Chinese military works well familiar to Chu-ko Liang are employed throughout.

Ralph D. Sawyer, an independent historical scholar who studied at MIT and Harvard and serves as a consultant to international conglomerates and defense agencies, specializes in Chinese military and intelligence issues. His historical works include Ancient Chinese Warfare, The Tao of Deception, and the Tao of Spycraft. His translations, all with extensive historical introductions and commentary, range from the Seven Military Classics of Ancient China through Sun-tzu Art of War, Sun Pin Military Methods, the Hundred Unorthodox Strategies, the Tao of War, and Strategies for the Human Realm. He is also Senior Research Fellow with the Warring States Project and a Fellow of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies.

You could purchase this superly written book on Amazon. 

Interesting Book on the Zhou Dynasty by Dr. Ralph Sawyer (Conquest and Domination in Early China: Rise and Demise of the Western Chou )

Dr. Sawyer has just recently published his book on the amazing ascension of the Western Zhou dynasty.

Conquest and Domination in Early China: Rise and Demise of the Western Chou 

Conquest and Domination examines the strategy and actors instrumental in the Chou’s (Zhou’s) astonishing rise from an obscure clan of uncertain location to their surprising conquest of the mighty Shang at the decisive battle of Mu-yeh in 1045 BCE. Based upon traditional historical literature, extensive archaeological materials, and contemporary bronze inscriptions, the first section traces their early migrations and gradual acquisition of power and territory through both political and military means before analyzing the many physical, tactical, and psychological factors that contributed to their success. The second part is devoted to reprising and understanding the rebellion that arose within a few years, with the third chronicling the military activities of the nearly three centuries before the Western Chou’s highly melodramatic but ignominious collapse. The final section is devoted to pondering several crucial factors and raising questions about the period’s history. Particular emphasis is placed employing the insights that can be gleaned from traditional Chinese military science and understanding the importance of developments from within the subsequent historical perspective.

Minor Jottings

There who are interested in ancient Chinese history, should also read Dr. Sawyer's Ancient Chinese Warfare (ACW).

There is more to the strategy game than the usual battlefield campaigns, the strategies, the tactics and other unique attributes, one has to understand the basic components behind it.

While most amateurs are enthusiastic about the execution of tactics, the professionals are focused on the logistics behind the tactics.  ... This book examines those significant fundamentals that have played a major role during that era.

If you are seeking an integrated view of the Ancient Chinese mindset, we highly recommend this book.

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Profiting in the Competitive Economy by Utilizing The Secret Behind Sunzi's Art of War Principles

 

(updated on 11.01.13, at 1118 hr)

The key to successfully defeating any competitor with minimum damage is knowing how to thaw their plans. Collecting information is the first step.

The Art of War readers (aka. The Cult of the Art of War) usually like to talk about the content from Chapter Four (Strategic Disposition) Chapter Five (Strategic Power) and Chapter 6 (Weak Points and Strong Points) of the Art of War essay. This is due to their inclination to act on instinct.  Their belief is that they can plan their way to win regardless what the odds are. This approach only works if the competition is weak and that the risk consequence of failing is not lethal.

However, the real secret is knowing how to specifically assess one's competition in the context of the 13 Chapters.  ... You do know how to do that. Do you? 


The Solution: The Sunzi's Strategic Approach 
To fulfill the mentioned goal, one must know how to properly gather relevant intelligence without being noticed and the approach for assessing it promptly.

The successful strategists only plan when he/she knows their goals and the configuration of their strategic foundation.

The successful strategists only know whether their goal is possible when he/she understands the configuration of their terrain and their situation

The successful strategists understand the configuration of their terrain when he/she knows what are the influences that affects it.  

The successful strategists understand the way of the influences when he/she knows the matrix of connectivity.

Those mentioned steps are all do-able when one knows the approaches for collecting those specific intelligence and assessing it promptly.

The Basics of the Compass Process Model
When you are able to complete the first step, you are one step closer to becoming two steps ahead of the competition. Click here and here for more information on the "two steps ahead" strategic approach.

Comments From the Compass Desk
Those with an interest in the historical practice of spycraft might find Dr. Ralph Sawyer's discussion with Dr. Mark Stout, Historian at the International Spy Museum, of some great interest. It has recently become freely available as a "spycast" at www.spymuseum.org/spycast, date of August 5th. (Time constraints precluded pursuing the numerous contemporary implications but Qin's historical employment of subversion to conquer the realm is discussed in Sawyer's classic Tao of Spycraft.) 

Click here for more information. 

Reading Chapter 13 of the Art of War could only go so far.  The ultra class professionals usually read this classic whenever they need a new idea.

We highly recommend to our serious strategic readers to listen to the Sawyer's discussion before  to focus their time and their effort on reading  Dr. Sawyer's The Tao of Spycraft. They will learn the true essence behind the origin of a non-stopping strategic exploitation.

The reading is quite dry. However, many of our associates of all sorts also highly recommended this book.  If you want to profit in our "extremely" competitive economy, focus on securing the path of least resistance by centering yourself first.  Then, proceed toward reading this classic book.

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More on How to Become Strategically Two Moves Ahead of the Competition

Lets begin this post with the question.  ...  

It is an interesting question for those who are competitive.  Now, click here for part one of the answer (It offered the perspective from the Art of War and another viewpoint from the game of Go (Weiqi).)

The Next to the Final Stage of the Answer
This is not a game theory situation, where there is a direct contest between two principals and everything is near-obvious.  

In a competitive situation where there are many pertinent strategic and tactical factors.  
Finding what relevant factors is in play is the challenge. 

Depending on the quality of information and the number of participating competitors,  the situation could become quite complex.

The clues to this approach can be found in the first two sections of Jiang Tai Gong (JTG's) Six Secret Teachings and chapter one of the Art of War.

Step One: Understand the scope of the situation.  
By being two steps ahead of the game,  the successful strategists can play the Jiang Tai Gong approach of pre-positioning and luring.  

You can find a good example in the 2010's Samurai movie classic "The 13 Assassins" where the protagonists knew the route, the strategic power and the tendencies of their target. 

Then, they altered their target's grand setting for the purpose of influencing him toward their lethal trap while transforming other portions of their own setting for the purpose of gaining a higher state of strategic power.

Sun Bin at Mai Ling is a good historical example.  ...  We will post the additional steps in the future.

Minor Jottings
Unlike what the Cult of the Art of War espouses to their followers, one cannot learn this skill from reading the Art of War.  It offers to the novices a mere glimmer of hope.   As many of us know, that the attribute of hope is not a strategy or a destination.  

Retrospectively one needs a methodology that offers an overview that depicts the connectivity and the tangibility of their situation.  ... A good methodology emphasizes on the practice of assessing, positioning and influencing.

The Practice of Strategic Assessment
Good strategic assessment begins by knowing the Big Tangible Picture of each principal in terms of their objectives, their approaches, the means and the modes.  ... Understanding the complexity, the connectivity, the consistency and the continuity of a Big Tangible Picture are some of the key points to a good strategic assessment.  

Those who are competitively ambitious, could build this exotic skill through the game of Go (weiqi) where misdirecting and luring are the norms.   He or she might get lucky in understanding the mechanics of these grand concepts after playing a minimum of 10 thousand games.  

So, how did we learned this unique concept?  We spent numerous hours talking to the various "no-name" experts who indirectly revealed their views on strategy to us.   ... Humorously, those who know, don't really say.  ... They have only offered their hints to us through their stories and their actions.  After awhile, we built the skillset of knowing what are the factors behind any strategic situation and how they all connect in certain situations. 

Q: So, do you know how to be strategically two steps ahead of your competition?

#

Profiting in the Competitive Economy: How to Become Strategically Two Moves Ahead of the Competition

Before contemplating on the next strategic move, the successful strategist always asks himself, "How do I know if I am one or two moves ahead or behind my competition?"

A: The answer is in the Sunzi's  Art of War

" ... If I know my team can attack, but do not know the competition cannot be attacked, it is only halfway to victory. If I know the competition can be attacked, but do not realize our team cannot attack, it is only halfway to victory. Knowing that the competition can be attacked, and knowing that our army can attack, but not knowing the terrain is not suitable for combat, is only halfway to victory. Thus one who truly knows the army will never be deluded when he moves, never be impoverished when initiating an action.

Thus it is said if you know them and know yourself, your victory will not be imperiled. If you know Heaven and Earth, your victory can be complete. ... " 

- Paraphrased from Sun Tzu's Art of War 10 (Sawyer's translation)

This is one' of many approaches to staying one to two steps ahead of the competition. 

Compass Principle

By anticipating two steps ahead of your customers and/or your competition and having the half step advantageous move, one is ahead of the strategy game

The Question of the Day:

• Why would any successful strategist make a strategic move that offers the advantage of being an half step ahead?  

The Answer 
"One who excels at competition will await events in the situation without making any movement. When he sees he can be victorious, he will arise; if he sees he cannot be victorious, he will desist. Thus it is said that he does not have any fear, he does not vacillate. Of the many harms that can beset an organization, indecision is the greatest. Of disasters that can befall an organization, none surpasses doubt."

"One who excels in competition will not lose an advantage when he perceives it or be doubtful when he meets the opportunity. One who loses an advantage or lags behind the time for action will, on the contrary, suffer from disaster. Thus the wise follow the time and do not lose an advantage; the skillful are decisive and have no doubts. He strikes like a sudden clap of thunder, which does not give time to cover ears; strike like a flash of lightning, which does not give time to close the eyes. Advance as is suddenly startled; employ your team as if deranged. Those who oppose you will be destroyed; those who come near will perish. Who can defend against such an attack?"

"Now when matters are not discussed and general preserves their secrecy, he is superior. When things are not manifest but he discerns them, he is wise. Thus if superior and wise, no enemies will act against him in the field, nor will any state stand against him."  
- Tai Gong  ( Paraphrased from The Six Secret Teachings, 26)

Ask your local Art of War (AoW) strategy expert if he or she knows the answer.  By looking at a copy of the Seven Strategy Classics and some of the other arcane classics, you might find the right answer. 

What is the Way of Aggressive Competition? 
(from Jiang Tai Gong)
"The offensive disposition of any relevant competitor should change in accord with the movements of their opposition. And changes coming from the confrontation between the two parties. Unorthodox and orthodox tactics are produced from inexhaustible resources of the mind. Thus the greatest affairs are not discussed, and the employment of manpower is not spoken about. Moreover, words which discuss ultimate affairs are not not to be discussed openly. The employment of manpower is not so definitive as to be visible. They go suddenly, they come suddenly. Only when someone who can exercise sole control over the team, without being governed by other men, is a strategic weapon."

"If your plans are heard about, the competition will implement counter strategies. If you are perceived, they will plot against you. If your objectives are known, they will put you in difficulty. If you are fathomed, they will endanger you."

"Thus one who excels in competition has already won before the deployment of manpower. One who excels at eliminating the misfortunes of the people manages them before they appear. Conquering the competition, being victorious by being formless. The superior competitor has won before engaging in contest. Thus one who fights and attains victory in using extreme measures is not a good strategist. One who makes preparation after the contest is started, has been lost is not a superior sage. One whose skill is the same as the masses is not a superior artisan."

"In unique competitive matters, nothing is more important than certain victory. In employing one's manpower, nothing is more important than obscurity and silence. In movement, nothing is more important than the unexpected. In planning, nothing is more important than not being knowable. To be the first to gain victory, initially display some weakness to the enemy and only afterward do battle. Then your effort will be half, but the achievement will be doubled."

"The Sage observes signs from the movements of Heaven and Earth and knows its principles. He observes the movement of the sun and the moon and understand their seasonal activity. He follows the cycles of day and night, taken them as his constant. All things have life and death in accord with the principles of Heaven and Earth. Thus it is said that if one fights before understanding the situation, even if he is more numerous, he will certainly be defeated."

Another Question 
Why is Jiang Tai Gong's Six Secret Teachings important to the hardcore strategists?

The Answer (partial)
" ... Although the Art of War remains the only book known in the West, the Wu-tzu and Six Secret Teachings proved to be highly important sources for military wisdom over the centuries, and the latter continues to be held in higher esteem among contemporary PRC military professionals. .."  -  Ralph Sawyer

If the PRC military professionals are reading it, why are you not reading it?

Comments From The Compass Desk
The strategists who wants to stay ahead of the competition, must know what dots to connect and how to connect them.  

We will continue this topic on Wednesday. 
#

Profiting in the Information Economy by Knowing How to Build A "Complete" Strategy

(updated on 09.21.13  03:33 am)

Regardless of your competitive realm, are you able to build a strategic plan that possessed no major weak points/potential failures?

Do you know what elements are in this type of plan?  ...  For this post,we are introducing the concept of strategic completeness.

The Complete Strategy Concept
The completeness of a plan must have the following four strategic factors:

• The Seasonal Cycle of One's terrain factor - Possessing the cyclical advantage of utilizing the configuration of the terrain to capitalize on relevant opportunities;
• The First Move Advantage Factor - Pursuing a target and/or defending from opposing offenses with organizational order;
• The Maneuver to Advantage Factor - Advancing to the target and/or retreating from the opposing offense with direction and simplicity; and 
• The Executing with Direction Factor- Deploying unique tactical moves that integrate the quality of directness and indirectness.

Understanding the Luck Factor in Strategy 
Discovering, deciding and executing the advantageous move that immediately leads to a total complete win, is the favorite modus of most amateur strategists.  Historically, it rarely works.  ...  For every two successes, there are 98 failures.   That is not a winning percentage.  Waiting for luck to appear, is not always a good approach.  

It is like waiting for a quarterback to throw a long touchdown pass from his 10 yard line with 2 seconds left. 

Anticipating for a certain opportunity through assessing, positioning and influencing is one of the many tangible keys to a grand victory. It begins by scripting the grand plan in terms of the what's and the hows of assessing, positioning and influencing. 

The successful strategist preferred to implement an incremental sequence of moves that achieves strategic milestones while being mindful of the possible opportunity to deploy the advantageous move. 

Whenever a strategic move is achieved, the successful strategist becomes one step closer to the finish line. That approach is more realistic and successful than the choice of executing a "Hail Mary,  Long Bomb" tactic.

When an opportunity of completing the target in one move arises, he seizes it with a level of caution.


Understanding the Big Tangible Picture

The Compass Chart

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Through the understanding of the Big Tangible Picture of their settings, one could achieve the many unique objectives by finding the path of least resistance through the mountains and valleys of information data.

It begins by building the "complete" strategy. Securing sound and solid information is the starting step and the most difficult objective to achieve. We recommended that you read Chapter 13 of The Art of War. It should assist you in understanding our intended point, after a few times.    (Our presumption is that you have some strategic experience and some strategic awareness skills.)

The next step is the scripting and the implementing of certain tactics to test the quality of the information. Whatever is left after the test, is usually the truth. 

By utilizing the "Complete Strategy" approach, the successful strategist would always have alternative options to either gain a greater strategic balance or to secure a grand opportunity while the competition is left with minimum options. All he has to do is to stay centered and focused on the objective at hand while being mindful of his terrain and beyond.

There will be more on the "Complete Strategy" topic of and the matter of what happens when the chief decision maker is operating under a tight timeline while possessing with incomplete information and is forced to decide on a difficult situation, at a later post.

In our case, we have used the Compass Chart to identify the configuration within the competitor's plan and the momentum-driven direction of the terrain. 


Zhang Liang, The Consummate Strategist

Some historians have claimed that Zhang Liang,(a famous Han Dynasty's strategist) utilized the "complete" strategy" approach. This unique skill set has enabled him to make an array of good strategic decisions for his employer (the First Emperor of Han Dynasty) and assisted him to leave his employer with his head intact. 

Some of Zhang Liang's exploits can be found in Dr. Ralph Sawyer's Tao of Deception.   

Triva-wise, Zhang Liang was an ardent reader of Jiang Tai Gong's Six Secret Teachings and a possible follower of the ideas from the Huang Shek Gong's Three Strategies book.

The Question of the Day
Do you know what strategic games directly or indirectly emphasize those four attributes of completeness?