3 min read

Sun Tzu Art Of War Philosophy: Why Copying Successful People Does Not Work?

Can you replicate the strategy of successful individuals or groups to achieve success?

The short answer is no.

While it may seem enticing to simply replicate the strategies of successful individuals or groups in hopes of achieving similar success, the reality is that success is not a one-size-fits-all formula.

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu shares his methods to attain success.

The Art Of War is ruled by five heavenly factors to be appraised in one's actions when determining the situation on the field. These are: 1. The Moral Law, 2. Heaven, 3. The Commander, 4. Terrain, 5. Rules and Regulation.

Sun Tzu says that one's success relies on five key factors, and replicating someone else's success is challenging due to these factors.

The Moral Law: This is the vision, goals, and purpose that guide a person's direction. Studying a successful person's mission is challenging, as much thought and reflection occur behind the scenes.
Heaven: This involves uncontrollable factors such as changing weather, economic conditions, and customer perceptions, making it difficult to replicate successful strategies and decision-making.
The Commander: This refers to a person's skills, experience, and wisdom. Everyone is unique and talented in various ways, making it difficult to replicate an individual's journey to success.
Earth: This location serves as the battleground for someone's work. Even if you share the same space as the successful individual, the situation is different because they occupy it, altering the dynamics of the battleground.

Rules and Regulation: This refers to a person's organizational structure, resources, and workflow. It is not possible to replicate this exactly, making it difficult to duplicate.

Each person's journey to success is unique and shaped by a combination of their skills, experiences, circumstances, and opportunities.

Based on Sun Tzu's five factors, trying to mimic someone else's path to success may not necessarily lead to the same outcomes.

In reality, nobody shares their business secrets. As Sun Tzu said in his Art Of War treatise,

All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but none can see how the strategy shapes the victory.

It's hard to replicate the strategies used by successful people because we can see their tactics but not the strategy that led to their success.

How can one replicate the success of a successful individual? There are several key factors that contribute to success, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact strategies that led to their achievements.

Here is Sun Tzu's guidance on how to pave your path to success.

Do not repeat the tactics that got you one victory, but let your methods be based on circumstances using infinite ways.

In his timeless wisdom, Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of adapting strategies to current circumstances rather than relying solely on past successes.

While past experiences can provide valuable lessons, they may not always apply to new situations.

Recognizing that past success does not determine the future allows one to face challenges with a fresh perspective and an open mind. Rather than seeking inspiration from the past, Sun Tzu advocates focusing on present circumstances.

By carefully evaluating the current situation and understanding the unique factors involved, you can create tailored strategies to address specific challenges.

This approach promotes flexibility and innovation, allowing individuals to respond effectively to changing circumstances.

Success is an ongoing process. According to Sun Tzu, to succeed, you must keep adapting your strategies to match the current situation. This can boost your chances of success in a quickly changing world.

Embracing this flexible approach and being aware of your surroundings is essential for facing complex challenges and achieving victory.

Always strive to lead, not follow! Embrace your uniqueness, leverage your talents and skills, and pave your way to success through your path.

Let your success be based on your capability, situation, and opportunities, not on following your heroes. You are your hero. Sharpen your skills and strategies.

Learn The Art Of War.