On Leadership: Sun Tzu, Clausewitz and Machiavelli

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses aspects of leadership as discussed by Sun Tzu, Carl von Clausewitz and Niccolo Machiavelli as well as the evaluation of one's situation in decision making and the shortcomings of incorrect planning and strategic action. The paper emphasizes that leadership is in no small part the ability to sort through the chaos of a situation and to persevere in imposing order. The paper states further that the ability to discern and to be flexible in one's approach, coupled with the relentless pursuit of a goal, are the keys to final success.

From the Paper:

"In this conduct toward the goal, there is no substitute for lucid thought. Discernment, and with it the ability to be flexible in one's approach, coupled with the relentless pursuit of the goal, are the keys to final success. A strategic leader often has control over nothing more than his own talents: his imagination, his creativity, and his intuition. The skilful and successful leader is the one who can, in the chaos of a situation, use these attributes, along with their "iron will and a powerful sense of purpose" to overcome the chaos and the opposition that confront him. Remarkably, one of the most profound statements that Clausewitz made about war remains true about war and about virtually any demanding situation:"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Clausewitz, Carl von, On War. Matthis Jolles, trans. Washington, D.C.: Infantry Journal Press, 1950.
• Machiavelli, Niccolo, The Prince. James B. Atkinson, trans. Indianapolis, Indiana: Bobbs-Merrill, 1976
• Sun Tzu, The Art of War. Samuel B. Griffith, trans. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 1971.

More papers on On Leadership: Sun Tzu, Clausewitz and Machiavelli:

• Analytical Essay # 133882 : "Sun Tzu, Clausewitz and Machiavelli on Leadership"
• Essay # 138198 : "A Critical Analysis of Western Modern Military Tactics in Sun Tzu’s Art of War"
• Book Review # 97234 : "Sun Tzu's "The Art of War"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: