Similar to Machiavellis "The Prince" and Miyamoto Musashi's "Go Rin no Sho" SunTsu also shows his views to power and "motivation" in his "The Art of War". The way to victory in all day conflicts in business, fights with the board of directors for survival, what we are in to every damn day - even in fights between man and wife. Pity that nobody ever wins in a fight!

After World War II the so called US research program "Abraham! One Try!", the "Stanford Experiment" in the 70ties about power and demotivation as well as in recent researchs about dumb people and stupidity in leadership - like "Unskilled and Unaware of it" all results have been lead to one conclusion:

They were so monstrous that further research has been cancelled immediately!

SunTsu's book became of knowledge to the king of Helus. He called for Sun Tsu and said to him: "I have studied the 13 Chapters of your book intensively. May I test your theory about leadership of troops right away? [in this chapter Sun Tsu described, that any human being could be a very good soldier under use of the correct motivation.]

The king asked: "Can I also extend your theory on women?" Again Sun Tsu agreed, and so preparations has been carried out, to fetch 216 ladies from the palace.

SunTsu split them into three companies. The most lovely ladies of the king were made chiefs of command for each platoon. Than the ladies had to take a spear and commanded: " I assume you know the difference between front, back, left and right."

SunTsu said: "When I ask >Eyes to the front<, you have to look in that direction.
When I say >turn left<, you have to turn left.
When I say >turn right<, you have to turn right.
When I say >turn around<, you have to turn around.
Is that understood?"

The ladies confirmed these orders, too. So when the orders has been verified, he started to begin the training.

Sun Tsu gave orders: >Turn right<, but the ladies just started laughing.

SunTsu said with passion: "When the orders are not clearly enough, and the orders has not been understood, than it is the general's fault.

He kept on with the training and asked the ladies to >turn left<, but the ladies still started laughing with out obeying the orders.

SunTsu said with passion again : "When the orders are not clearly enough, and the orders has not been understood, than it is the general's fault.

BUT when the orders are clear and understood and the solders still not obeying the commands, then it's he officers fault.

Then Sun Tsu ordered to kill the chiefs (ladies) of the platoons.

The king watched the ongoing and realized that his beloved concubines should be killed and he said to Sun Tsu: "We are satisfied with your demonstration of training solders by Our general. But when We loose this lovely ladies Our food will be without taste in the future. We don't want His ladies to be killed."

SunTsu replied with even more passion:
"After I have been announced as His Majesties general of troops, there are orders I have to obey, too, and other orders I can't accept while doing so."

After this speech he killed the most loved concubines immediately.

Than he started the training again.

Now the ladies turned left, when he asked so, they turned around and turned right, when asekd without any laugh and with great accuracy.

After a while Sun Tsu send for he king again and told him: "Majesty, Your solders are trained correctly, they are disciplined and ready for inspection by His Majesty. You can use them as You desire, they will do what ever You ask them to do.

This is only ONE example about motivation of old times: Unfortunately today the methods are much more cruel.

Coaching | Power/[De-]motivation