3img Transforming How We Work

Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.

—Sun Tzu1

Sun Tzu was the renowned fifth-century BC Chinese military strategist and philosopher who wrote the classic treatise on strategy, The Art of War. Rediscovered in the past two decades, the concepts and principles are now standard references for business students and especially for business leaders. Two examples of his insights are:

  1. Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
  2. Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.2

A contemporary interpretation of this wisdom applied in the business context would suggest that continuous innovation is a major competitive advantage. For if you are not the leading innovator, how can you be first and freshest to the field?

Hence, are you going to repeat the same old operating formula long beyond its utility, or are you prepared to adapt to the profuse variety of new circumstances with new tactics (and strategies)?

The principles of Agile that we examine in this chapter will help you understand what you need to do.

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