In my lifetime, I have learned considerable wisdom from the teachings and philosophies of Sun Tzu, the celebrated Chinese military general, philosopher and writer. Though he lived hundreds of years before the time of Christ, his influence continues today, especially through his most famous work, The Art of War. Ironically, one of Tsu’s most referenced quotes states: “To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.”
Tsu also has a lot to teach about leadership and cites five specific qualities he deems essential in all great leaders, including our modern CEOs. In the interest of time, I want to explore three of those virtues here and save the other two for later.
Intelligence: There’s really no nice way to say it – great leaders must be of above average intelligence. To lead a major corporation, or faction thereof, requires the ability to process information and assess situations quickly. Smart decisions have to be made on the fly. There must be an emphasis on thinking critically and strategically, as well as the ability to anticipate the moves of the competition and respond quickly to change. Reactionary and emotional decision making is the antithesis of intelligent leadership.
Trustworthiness: As a US Marines Vietnam veteran, I know firsthand the meaning behind following a leader into battle. It simply doesn’t happen without trust. Leaders must first gain the respect and trust of their employees above all else. They adhere without fail to the old adage: Say what you’re going to do and do what you say. They remain faithful to the company values and the stated mission. Consistency and reliability are key components of their persona and they regularly demonstrate that they’ve got your back.
Humaneness: Leadership often means making tough decisions – even unpopular ones. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done without compassion. Great leaders demonstrate kindness, respect and yes, even love for the people they are leading. The leader that doesn’t understand this principle usually doesn’t last very long. There are far too many examples of inhumane treatment in the world today. Don’t let one of them within your own company.
More to come and thanks so much for reading.
