Finding Opportunity in Chaos
Finding Opportunity in Chaos This morning, as I was reading The Art of War, I came across this quote: “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” It made me think about the wild and rapid changes artificial intelligence is bringing to nearly every industry. For small businesses, AI is shaking up the way […]
Visionary Leadership
Visionary Leadership “To foresee a victory which the ordinary man can foresee is not the acme of skill.” — Sun Tzu This morning, I was reading The Art of War, Chapter 4, and came across the story of Han Hsin. His strategy seemed absurd—his own generals doubted him, and the Chao army mocked him for […]
Focus on What You Can Control
Focus on What You Can Control This morning I read this: “That which depends on me, I can do; that which depends on the enemy cannot be certain.” — Sun Tzu This passage reminds me of the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change […]
Passing the Torch
Passing the Torch “The wrong person cannot be appointed to command. Lin Hsiang-ju, the Prime Minister of Chao, said: ‘Chao Kua is merely able to read his father’s books, and is as yet ignorant of correlating changing circumstances. Now Your Majesty, on account of his name, makes him the commander-in-chief. This is like glueing the […]
Meetings That Matter
Meetings That Matter “In the operations of war, where there are in the field a thousand swift chariots, as many heavy chariots, and a hundred thousand mail-clad soldiers, with provisions enough to carry them a thousand li, the expenditure at home and at the front… will reach the total of a thousand ounces of silver […]
Know Yourself, Know Your Competition
Know Yourself, Know Your Competition “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” Sun Tzu’s advice isn’t just for generals—it’s a lifeline for small business owners. To build a business that lasts, you need to understand two things: your strengths and weaknesses, and the strategies […]
Clarity or Chaos
Clarity or Chaos Have you ever felt like your business is spinning its wheels? Everyone’s busy, but nothing moves forward. Instead of confidently pursuing your goals, you’re stuck putting out fires and reacting to the next crisis. It’s exhausting—and often, it comes down to one issue: confusion. Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese military strategist, wrote […]
Competent Leadership, Cohesive Teams
Competent Leadership, Cohesive Teams When Leadership Breaks Down This morning, I read this from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War: “If one ignorant of military matters is sent to participate in the administration of the army, then in every movement, there will be disagreement and mutual frustration, and the entire army will be hamstrung…” Sun […]
Decision-Making from the Battlefield
Decision-Making from the Battlefield This morning, I was reading The Art of War and read this: “No evil is greater than commands of the sovereign from the court.” Sun Tzu warns against leaders making decisions far removed from the realities of the battlefield. For small business owners, you need to remember this: the further you […]
Navigating Business Terrain: Lessons from Hiking in the Mountains
Hiking in the mountains isn’t just a hobby for me; it’s a passion that mirrors my passion for business building. The two activities, in my mind, are deeply interconnected. Imagine the journey of a novice hiker: it’s mostly about taking one careful step after another, with most of your focus on not tripping over the […]
