Mr. Achievement - Stanley F. Bronstein - Personal Development BlogPersonal Development Blog of the Founder of the Achievement IQ Movement and Creator of the Laws of Positioning

CHAPTER 9 - Leadership and Movement - Part 1 of 1

Movement

Movement - Actions or activities, as of a person or a body of persons. A progressive development of ideas toward a particular conclusion. The process of passing from one place or position to another. To advance or progress.

Previous Posts On The Art of War

While each one of these posts is designed to be read separately and independently of each other, it would be useful if you read the previous posts on The Art of War, all of which can be found by clicking here, if you have not already done so.

More From Sun Tzu

His words are humble and his preparations increase. He will advance.

His words are strong and his advance is forced. He will retreat.

He is not in difficulty, yet requests peace. He is strategizing.

The see advantage but do not advance. They are tired.

What Do These Quotes Mean?

These short quotes are actually part of an entire series, but I selected them as I think they are most relevant to this discussion.

As we’ve discussed in several previous postings, The Art of War relies on deception.

It relies on your opponent believing one thing while the reality is different.

Think about some circumstances in life and business. As a negotiator for more than 20 years, one must often try to figure out what the people on the other side of the table are thinking. THAT IS WHERE THESE IDEAS FROM SUN TZU CAN PROVE TO BE VERY USEFUL.

I have seen countless times where the other side stalled and kept acting as if nothing was wrong; all the while preparing for the opportunity to “put it to my clients” when given the chance. I have also seen my clients use similar strategy when it was to their benefit. The best negotiators instinctively know this.

I have also seen countless times where the other side came on strong and were even unreasonable, attempting to bluff my clients. Ultimately they wind up backing off and retreating from their unreasonable position. I’ve even seen my clients do this.

Good negotiators (i.e. good leaders) instinctively are constantly searching for advantage. They delay until the time is right. Once they have advantage, they seize upon it and prove to be victorious.

More From Sun Tzu

If one acts consistently to train the people, the people will submit.

If one acts inconsistently to train the people, the people will not submit.

One who acts consistently is in accord with the multitude.

What This Says About Leadership and An Example

Consistency is a KEY trait of the best leaders. You never have to wonder how they’re going to react. You know what you can get away with and what you can’t get away with.

On the other hand, inconsistency has killed more projects; more companies; more relationships than just about anything.

Let’s take a simple example - that of training a dog.

Any good dog trainer will tell you that you must be consistent in the way you train your dog. Dogs understand leadership and want to be led. HOWEVER, if you are inconsistent, they will be confused. They will not know what behavior is allowed and what behavior is prohibited.

In short, you will have a poorly trained dog.

The same principles apply in companies and in groups. Leaders who allow things to slip; who allow things to be accepted, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE UNACCEPTABLE, will not be as successful as others.

That’s just the way it works.

Recommended Reading

Laws of Positioning # 60 - Position Yourself To Be A Leader

Tomorrow

Next, we will discuss Forms of the Earth.