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Sun Tzu Art War Leadership: How To Gain Loyalty As A Leader?

In Sun Tzu Art Of War leadership style, Sun Tzu strongly advocates that the leader must first gain loyalty from his team before they can lead.

Loyalty comes with a price.

Anybody will be loyal only when there is something to gain.

Every human has a self-interest. Naturally, people are loyal to a person, a company, or a group when they have something to gain.

A person's loyalty can come in many forms. It can be money,

For example, some people consider money their highest form of loyalty.

When paid a very high salary, they will be loyal.

They will want to keep their job and not leave.

It can also be Security, Recognition, Fame, Honor, a Relationship, Something to fight for, or anything worthy of loyalty.

How do you gain loyalty as a leader from a person or group?

Assuming you are a leader in a company, and you want to gain the loyalty of your team.

Here is how you can gain loyalty.

The first is to know your team. Identify what your team wants so that they will be loyal to you.

Is it a big salary? Or a stable, solid company that provides the team with a sense of security?

You must identify what makes your team loyal.

Once you know what it takes for them to be loyal…

Next is to convince the team that you can fulfill their needs.

Here are the steps to convince your team,

Assurance. This is done by assuring them you will fulfill their particular self-interest.
Confidence. Show your team that you have the wisdom, skill, and capability to be their leader and that you can fulfill their goals.
Trust. Your team must believe that you will fulfill your promises. And you keep to your word.