Sun Tzu – The Art of War 5.22

When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if roundshaped, to go rolling down.

Sun Tzu’s Art of War is not only a classic military strategy text, but also contains valuable insights into leadership and teamwork. In chapter 5, he discusses the concept of combined energy and how it can be utilized to achieve success in battle.

According to Sun Tzu, a clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy and does not rely too much on individuals. He knows that even the strongest individual will not be able to achieve victory on their own. Instead, the combatant must pick out the right men and utilize their combined energy.

When a leader can effectively utilize combined energy, their fighting men become like rolling logs or stones. On level ground, a log or stone will remain motionless, but when placed on a slope, it will begin to move. If the log or stone is four-cornered, it will come to a standstill, but if it is round-shaped, it will start rolling down the slope.

Similarly, in battle, a group of individuals with combined energy can move forward and gain momentum like a rolling stone. They can also adapt to changes in the terrain and the situation, just like a rolling stone can adjust its path based on the slope it encounters.

Therefore, a leader should not expect each individual to be a hero in battle. Instead, they should focus on creating a cohesive team that can utilize their combined energy to achieve victory. By understanding the nature of combined energy, a leader can effectively utilize their resources and achieve success in any situation.