Leadership and Management in China: Philosophies, Theories, and Practices

rules of conduct for the leader in relation to other relevant parties,
and set boundaries for strategies and actions in the name of achiev-
ing organizational purposes. With regard to higher purpose, Sunzi
sees military leadership not merely about winning victories but
about serving the nation and the people, about following the Way of
benevolence, and winning over support from the people. In leader–
member relationships, Sunzi clearly emphasizes hierarchical auth-
ority in that the general takes orders from the sovereign and the
soldiers from the commander. There are, however, two qualifications
to this type of authority. First, he gives the field commander the
autonomy to follow the Way of the war rather than the whims of
the sovereign and, second, he requires commanders to treat soldiers
just as parents treat children. With regard to benevolence to the
enemy, Sunzi emphasizes defense, swift and complete victory, and to
win over rather than destroy the enemy for the ultimate goal of
building a unified empire.

Table 5.3. (cont.)

Excerpts Chapter

If soldiers are punished before a personal attachment to the
leadership is formed, they will not submit, and if they do
not submit they are hard to employ. If punishments are
not executed after personal attachment has been
established with the soldiers, then they cannot be
employed. (Benevolence)

Maneuvering

Relationship with the enemy
Generally in war, the best policy is to take the enemy
state whole and intact; to destroy it is not.
(Benevolence)

Attacking by

stratagem

The best policy in war is to thwart the enemy’s strategy. The
second is to disrupt his alliances through diplomatic
means. The third is to attack his army in the field, and
the worst is to attack walled cities. (Benevolence)

Attacking by

stratagem

Prisoners of war should be treated kindly and taken into
your ranks. (Benevolence)

Waging war

Do not intercept an enemy returning home; in surrounding
the enemy, leave him an escape route; do not press a
cornered enemy. (Benevolence)

Maneuvering

Strategic leadership of Sunzi in theArt of war 155