The Art of War, but not as you know it

Everyone knows the famous book mentioned in the title written by Sun Tzu; about all of the things that one should consider when faced with war. I have my own interpretation of this, one that is directed towards a life and business perspective; given that I am a Life & Business Strategist.

Life alongside business has always been associated with ‘bigger is better’, ‘more money equals more wealth’ and so forth. Everyone tends to compete with one another in order to be the better person, while businesses fight with their competitors to gain specific lists of clients in order to place themselves higher than the rest.

What if there were to be a different viewpoint, a different interpretation of what it means to consider such an art of war, deviated to life and business in this case? Instead of focusing on being victorious through outperforming and ‘cornering’ the adversary, why not simply leverage their strengths and diminish your weaknesses?

Collaborate instead of Compete

For a business, why do you need to be better than your competitor all while bringing negativity into such an organisation’s life? Wouldn’t it bring you more joy knowing that there exists a possibility to work with them as opposed to making them lose faith in their abilities? I would just like to mention that this scenario considers room for cooperation. Of course you may have competitors wishing to make you look bad and as such; you as a business, should never associate yourself with such individuals and their organisations.

If there were to be potential partnership, I hope that you realise that you have something valuable to bring to the table, but so do they. You may be strong in one area of practice, but they may be stronger in another. Why not find a way to work together so that both of you become victorious and successful as opposed to being bitter and at times unprofessional?

In the case of human nature, would you really consider yourself humane by bringing pain and suffering to someone else just so that you can gain from it? If you are successful, reach out and bring others up with you. Instead of viewing the person in front of you as an opponent or an adversary, view him/her as an opportunity for you to become a better person through your help and empathy. If such a person does not want to be a part of this vision and views you as a threat; here again simply disassociate yourself from them and your life will be so much easier.

Upon the first meeting, think long term

When you first meet someone, it is inevitable that you spend the first few seconds analysing and creating a list of assumptions about the person in front of you. Whether for business or for leisure, never neglect the importance and significance of karma. Whatever negative thing that you say and/or do now may spin right back and hit you in the face. Perhaps not immediately, but it will eventually. Don’t brush the person you just met to the side, nor should you insult them unjustly simply because you never know what may happen in the future. You may end up needing them or requiring the expertise that they have to offer.

The same obviously applies to business. Instead of making the irrational first judgment that such an organisation is of no importance or worse; going so far as to state that they are insignificant; learn about them, interact with their people. There may be something so beneficial waiting to happen for both of you. In business you should always keep your shields up, but keep a tiny gap open so that you may observe a positive opportunity once it presents itself.

Most of all, never forget how you reached ‘the top’

Unfortunately for most people, they tend to forget how they reached success, achievement and fulfilment in their lives. Instead of being honest by admitting that they either went through tremendous hardship or sought help along the way; do not let this become a part of your personality. There is more to be gained through showing gratitude to those who helped you, than to simply pretend to have a brave and courageous image such as ‘I did it by myself’.

On the other hand, imagine that you used to struggle to make ends meet; and now you are living in the fanciest house, driving the most beautiful automobile and wearing the most expensive and desirable clothing. I often meet people who choose to forget their past thus forgetting who they used to be. In front of me would be a stranger that I no longer know and this too brings more disadvantage than benefit.

The fight that you endure to achieve everything that you plan and dream of accomplishing constitutes the building blocks of your character and strength, both mentally and physically. The journey is the most beautiful aspect that you should never choose to forget nor neglect, both for yourself as well as for the individuals helping you get there. By trying to make yourself look resilient, relentless and strong; if it is not genuine this will become apparent for everyone to see and then guess what? In those few seconds you have just lost the potential opportunity for future collaboration, growth and further expansion from all of the people who used to consider you as being a truthful and humble person.