10.021 If the general is kind to the troops, but cannot...

If the general is kind to the troops, but cannot use them, or if the general loves the troops, but cannot command them, or if the general does not discipline the troops, but cannot establish order, the troops are like spoiled children and are useless.

__________________
Sign up for the indispensable Sonshi Daily

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

This quote applies to other different areas, too. Such as the teacher. If the teacher is kind to his students, but cannot use them. Or loves them, but cannot command them. Or does not show discipline, and therefore cannot establish order, his students are like spoiled children and cannot be taught. Discipline is the key to commanding a team, without it the troops fall apart.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Discipline

Case in point: my oldest daughter's soccer team.

This isn't her high school team, it's the one she plays on during the school "off" season.

The coach is pretty knowledgable, but the kids simply do not respect him. What his role amounts to during a game is putting kids onto the field in certain positions, and making substitutions. He has little other impact on the game.

As a result, the kids play on their talents only.

It will be very difficult for this team to really succeed.


Best Regards,

Rick Matz

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Re: Discipline

quote:

---

Originally posted by RickMatz
Case in point: my oldest daughter's soccer team.

This isn't her high school team, it's the one she plays on during the school "off" season.

The coach is pretty knowledgable, but the kids simply do not respect him. What his role amounts to during a game is putting kids onto the field in certain positions, and making substitutions. He has little other impact on the game.

As a result, the kids play on their talents only.

It will be very difficult for this team to really succeed.

---

__________________
HAL BLEU
-------------
"Think Strategically. ... Don't Compete Without It. " A.K. Dixit

"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function."

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

I think that this quote hints that the characteristics of successful leadership involve a delicate balance of several behaviors, not just a singular, constant-rhythm approach.
Some "leaders" and "managers" do not understand this, and think that the key to leadership is "love" of people, or extreme "discipline", or "teamwork", or "autonomy", etc...
I think what Sun Tzu is saying, if taken in context with his other principles, is that there is no singular key to leadership.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Treat everyone fairly and with equality, but do not let your fondness of them impair your judgement pertaining to the overall task at hand.

Gonzo

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Don't let one's kindness or liking of troops prevent one from achieving order and discipline. This is somthing I can work on today. I find it easy to be friendly with people i work with but find it exceedingly difficult to execute disicipline and order.

There are probably management books i can read up on this kind of thing....any suggestions??

Pawn12

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Rule with authority

quote:

---

Originally posted by sonshi
If the general is kind to the troops, but cannot use them, or if the general loves the troops, but cannot command them, or if the general does not discipline the troops, but cannot establish order, the troops are like spoiled children and are useless.

---

__________________
Truthseeker


Suffering is the breaking of the shell that encloses our understanding


"Truth is narrowed down and made a plaything for those who are weak, for those who are only momentarily discontented. Truth cannot be brought down; rather the individual must make the effort to ascend to it."

Krishnamurti

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged