Career Advice From The Cunning
What can a Chinese military general and an Italian political philosopher do for your career? A lot, apparently, if the general's name is Sun Tzu and the philosopher is Niccolò Machiavelli. They wrote two books that can immensely help you in your professional life.
The Art of War (written perhaps around 500BC), by Sun Tzu, is an ancient text on military strategy, an invaluable guide for rulers and their armies throughout history till today. On the other hand, The Prince (published in the 16th century) had given its author a bad name, literally: the term Machiavellian is used to describe someone who is selfish or deceitful.
The Prince shamelessly upholds that ends justify means, and offers advice to the politician (the prince), some of which may seem morally appalling, while the Art of War blatantly states that "all warfare is based on deception" and, among other things, discusses employing spies.
These books are now read by CEOs, sports coaches and marketers; they are helpful to anyone who wants to excel in competition. You too, can apply some of the tricks. While we don't ask you to be heartless or notorious, there are a handful of career lessons from these two maestros that can make your life much easier.
The Art of War
Win without fighting
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. Sun Tzu is not your common bloodthirsty, egotistical, historic figure. He knew well that wars cost lives and resources. So, even though he wrote a volume on how to wage wars, he said that the best way of winning is to settle things without fighting.
And that's what you should do when you have a problem with a colleague. Try to find a compromise. Instead of having heated arguments or getting into a continuous cat and mouse game, talk to him, clear the problem and make peace.
Mum's the word
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. Sun Tzu wrote a great deal on being secretive and keeping a low profile. He was a great believer of confidentiality.
Be like Sun Tzu. Never discuss vital work-related information with anyone outside the team. Respect your company's confidentiality. In any organisation, you will sooner or later have information on future events or projects that its competitors should not know of right then.
Also, do not reveal too much of yourself and your future plans. Limit the gossip at the water cooler to casual chitchat.
Be kind and caring
Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you to the deepest valleys; look on them as your beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death. Sun Tzu stresses the importance of being loving and caring towards subordinates. He must have been a benevolent leader.
And you can be the same. If you have people working for you, treat them with respect. Be helpful, cordial and genuinely caring. This will give them the boost to run that extra mile.
The Prince
Change
Had he changed his conducts with the times fortune would not have changed. In today's fast-changing world, organisations understand the value of evolution. Machiavelli felt it centuries ago, and wrote that the prince who does not change with times will lose all his fortune.
Embrace the change your organisation is going through and promote it. It usually requires learning new things, for example, a new software replacing an old one. Survive the change to keep your 'fortune.'
Read and learn
The prince should read histories, and study there the actions of illustrious men, to see how they have borne themselves in war, to examine the causes of their victories and defeat, so as to avoid the latter and imitate the former. Machiavelli advised the prince to learn from people, to study how they won and failed.
Read biographies and interviews of renowned CEOs and those who inspire you. Study and apply their tactics, just like you should – if you had in fact come this far reading through this write-up – from these two ingenious, cunning books.
Be a fox and a lion at the same time
It is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves. In the treacherous world of the prince, there were always forces who would want to overthrow him and establish their own power. To avoid that, the prince must look out for any traps whilst being intimidating to betrayers or invaders.
This is invaluable advice for those who work in an environment of cut-throat office politics. Be smart and careful of whom you trust. At the same time, be tough and firm, so that nobody can exploit or take advantage of you.
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