How to Build a Unified Team (From the View of the New England Patriots and the San Francisco 49ers)

(updated on 11.09.13 @ 5:55 pm)

We presumed that you have heard about the rookie hazing incident in the Miami Dolphins locker room.  However, It is not an isolated incident especially in the camps of the New Orleans Saints and the Oakland Raiders.  While some players referred to it as a bonding process, one NY Giants player indirectly described it as a part of the maturing process to becoming a professional football player. 

There are always a few minor pranks and rituals, but the players in professional football teams like the Philadelphia Eagles,  the New England Patriots and the San Francisco Forty Niners do not pursue the avenue of the extreme. 

In the NFL, the playoff contending teams are always focused on winning not waste their time on unproductive practices.

The Bill Walsh's Solution
Bill Walsh. the late architect of the West Coast Offense system, has always believed that it is important to focus the rookies on learning and mastering the specifics of "the pro game".

" ... The late Bill Walsh banished rookie hazing when he first started coaching the team in 1979. He wanted rookies contributing right away and didn’t want them bogged down with thinking about anything more than football.

It was just one of many innovations emanating from Walsh. Over the last 25 years, I never heard of any rookie hazing, which, of course, doesn’t mean there wasn’t any. But from afar, it just never seemed to be a part of the culture. There have been pranksters like former guard Kevin Gogan, who used to disrupt the offensive line meetings constantly.

Gogan’s aimed many of his pranks at Tim Hanshaw, who got his share of ribbing and an old-fashioned spit wad to the back of the head from Gogan, who once graced the cover of Sports Illustrated as the NFL’s dirtiest player. But Gogan was not a racist, and when his former offensive line coach Bobb McKittrick was dying of cancer, Gogan made amends to him.

Ask around the 49ers’ locker room and the only requirement for rookies seems to be to provide cans of chew and to bring Jamba juice on Friday’s.

Tackle Joe Staley said rookies used to pay for some dinners, but the tab was never ridiculous. Over the years, rookies would lug the pads and helmets of veterans.

“We don’t even do that any more,” Staley said. “Players should never embarrass people for their own bravado.”

At least from the outside looking in, the spirit of Bill Walsh on hazing seems to live on within the 49ers’ locker room.  ... "  - SFGate.com 

The Sun Bin's View on 
Organizational Unification
"An army that is able to overcome great adversity  is able to unite the people's minds. - paraphrased from  Sun Bin's Military Methods, 22 

Whenever a team or an organization is able to overcome obstacles, the principals begin to understand that there is a grander cause that is greater then themselves.

Final Thoughts
Regardless of some people's view, we believed that that practice of hazing is not good for any organization. History has shown that a consistency of team victories is the most effective approach to unify a team,

We will talk more about the other approaches to unifying a team in a future post.

Side notes

• Click here for a thorough view on Sun Bin.
• Click here on another innovation of Bill Walsh.

The First Step to Succeeding in the Info. Economy: Staying Focused

(updated on 11/3/13 at 23:33 hr.)

We are living in a society where many of the technology-dependent people possessed an attention span of one minute and have the immediate need for automatic gratification. They have a tendency of  trying to find different stimuli that would enable him or her to stay focused on that one task.

Currently, staying focused on one task is the most difficult thing to accomplish. To some people, this pseudo-easy task  could be the only thing. 

As many great masters recommended their readers with this following key phrase, "Practice. ... Practice... Practice"

Some preferred to follow this phrase, "Practice. Reflect. Optimize. Improve. Evolve. .."

The Psychology of Mono-Tasking
One usually focuses on a task when it is a tangible priority. Psychologically, this behavior centers the person on the given task.   

Understanding of the configuration behind the given task gives the chief decision maker the options on knowing where to focus their time and their energy. By knowing the given constraints behind the task, one knows what to focus on and what to neglect for a certain time.

Not every task is the same. It is all about how the chief decision makers make their decisions. Successful strategists usually decide on their tasks that are  based on these five points:

• the risk of completing the task;
• the constraints for completing the task; 
• the complexity of completing the task, 
• the length of completing the task; and 
• the precedence of the task  to the precedence of the Big Tangible Picture

Knowing those points allows them to stay focused on the task with ease.

The Compass Exercise of Mindfulness
How does one build a consistent state of mindfulness?

He/she isolates him or herself in a solitary room and focuses on the act of centered relaxation by standing.  The next step is to focus on one's task while being mindful of one's setting.

This feedback-based approach requires a certain level of methodicalness from start to finish. It starts with a mindful focus of self-centerness. 

Notes From The Compass Desk

By cultivating this skill of mindfully focused on a daily basis, one has just accumulate a small but significant strategic advantage against those who cannot stay focused on one target for a long chronological-driven interval. From our experience, this skill is also useful when strolling through an extreme chaotic and complex setting. 

Those who do know, will not say.  However you can learn more about this unique practice at Cook Ding's Kitchen.

Remember to be patient and build the experience of strategic fortitude. Use your awareness of your actions at different situations .  

We will discuss more on the psychology of strategy in future posts.

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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An Unique Suggestion on How to Succeed in the Info. Economy (The Adviser's View)

Updated on 10.31.2013 @ 13:31.31 hrs

In terms of tactics, Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings  is one of our associates favorite books.   Some of the explained tactics in this book are great for close quarter conflict especially from the field.  ... It is perfect for those who have operated in various  chaotic situations.

We noticed that some of the devotees of The Five Rings essay, are usually superb tacticians with a minimum regard for long term thinking.  Because of the commitment to their cause and their tendency to "will themselves to win", they frequently live for the moment of the action.  ... 

The Dao of the Strategic Adviser
During the Tokugawa dynasty,  Yagyu Munenori was considered to be the technical equal of Miyamoto Musashi. While being great swordsmen and forerunners of their school of sword play, they have never fought against each other.

Yagyu Munenori became the advisor to the Shogun while Musashi was just a ronin- a samurai with no tangible employer.  He finally secured tangible employment with Lord Hosokawa Tadatoshi at the age of 46.

History has shown that the achievers with extraordinary field-level skill typically get the limited fortune and finite glory.  The grander honor usually goes to those few people who could convince others to act. Some experienced field expediters might find that viewpoint to be insulting.  ... After a few moments of deep contemplation about how our global society operate, they would then realized that it is the consummate truth.  ... 

Other Notes on the Strategic Advisor
In terms of Chinese military history, some of our favorite strategic advisers are: Jiang Tai Gong, Sun Bin, Zhuge Liang, Zhang Liang and Li Jing.  

The origin of their grand achievements begins from the convincing of people to commit to the proposed mission.

In the game of western chess, the bishop pieces  have always stood next to the king and the queen.  Interestingly, the adviser pieces are also positioned next to the general in the Chinese chessboard.  The symbolic meaning behind this positioning should be obvious

Within the grand scheme of our complex setting,  the smart backroom strategic advisers and the field operators who could motivate the masses, are always relevant to those who are in power.  

To thrive in our clan-driven society, the strategic adviser must contemplate on the following points: 

• the importance of joining the right clan; 
• the possibility of joining the right clan; 
• the risk benefits of being a member of that clan; 
• the risk challenges of being a member of that clan; and 
• the risk drawbacks of being a member of that clan. 

The answers is not found in your copy of the Art of  War,


Comments From The Compass Desk
In the information economy, a professional is usually viewed as a specialist or a  jack of all trades. 

To advise people, one must have more than the knowledge of a specific domain. Recognizing the motive and the method of the targeted person or group of people requires a certain mindset of patience and control.  ... The first step is the mastering of the art of centering oneself.  This act enables one to practice the art and the science of listening.  

/* note: Sometime in the future, we will post our view on why the advice of the over-hyped self help gurus does not always work. */

For those who are interested in the strategic consulting business, we highly recommended the reading of "Jiang Tai Gong's Six Secret Teachings" and "The Conversations Between the Tang's Emperor and Li Jing."  (You can find those essays in the Seven Military Classics of Ancient China.)  ...  Study the approach of how the writer (the chief strategists) suggested their perspectives to their employers.  ... Always remember that the message is the medium.

Minor Jottings
To competitively climb the food chain of the information economy, the western mind have always believed that "the pen is mightier than the sword.  ... "  There are some amateur desktop strategic advisers who regularly implement "the pen is mightier than the sword" concept in all of their strategic situations, without ever understanding the possible chaotic state that lies in the field level.  They also do not possess any understanding of the negative after-effect if or when their plan does or does not work. 

History has repeatedly shown that the practice of the pen is quite applicable in convincing the masses of people to join a specific cause.  But the practice of the sword works quite well in those special close quarters situations that are occasionally laced with a singular flavor of chaos. 

In our virtual operations room, some of our group preferred to follow the following Japanese Bushido saying- "the pen and sword in accord."  Conceptually, it is similar to the Chinese concept of Wen Wu. (We will elucidate more on this concept in a later post.)  

With the pen, one could always brainstorm and script their scheme of plays through the process of visual, audio and tactile means before ever implementing the intent.

As mentioned in previous posts, we have always consistently practiced the principle of assessing any strategic situation before ever deciding on the objective and the approach (the pen or the sword). ... While it prevents us from operating from the seat of our pants, this pragmatic practice focuses us to complete our objective with emotional detachment.   ... Could you calmly do that in a Silicon Valley minute?

# # # 

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?

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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. 
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Persistence is the Name of the Game

Source: JenniferDawnBrody.com

What usually enables the successful strategist to prevail over the daily challenge of their endeavor?

"It is persistence which wins many challenges. And persistence is strictly a matter of force of will. ... Sometimes, the outcome of a competition is not decided by the first strategic move or even the third. ... Rather, fortitude is involved. Force of will is persistence. If one does not lose their sense of self, he or she will persist and their strategic power will not diminish. ... On the contrary, it will endure after their body has wasted away." - A Nameless Strategist

Understanding the configuration of one's Big Tangible Picture (BTP) and beyond, is the starting step. .We presumed that you know how to do that!?  ... Do you? 

Comments From The Compass Desk
From our experience, the will to prepare is greater than the will to win.  Do you know why?