BLUF
The writer argues that some self-improvement and business coaches are misinterpreting and taking Sun Tzu’s text—The Art of War—out of context; to promote their products.Summary
Natalie Wall writing in Vice makes the following points:
- Many rise-and-grind motivation business influencers refer to The Art of War to give legitimacy to what they sell.
- Book is often wrongly used to reinforce business as a toxic masculine endeavour, for example: attack an enemy where and when they display weakness.
- Modern writers frequently apply military terms to business methodology, e.g., conquest, personal dominance and social status.
- Dr Derek Yuen argues: "The Art of War is seldom understood in the West"—proper understanding requires understanding the book's Chinese and Taoist context.
References
Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:
- 5 Principles of Purposeful Leadership - The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- Is Leadership An Art Or Science? - The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- Management lessons from Chinese business and philosophy - The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
References from the Web:
- JUN 2020 Sun Tzu’s Fighting Words-the Bridge
- OCT 2020 How Sun Tzu Art of War Can Help In Your Modern Business?-Aventis Learning Group
- AUG 2022 How to Use Wisdom to 'Know Your Enemy'—Here Are the 75 Best Sun Tzu Quotes - Parade
