Sun Tzu – The Art of War 7.23

The Book of Army Management says: On the field of battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough: hence the institution of gongs and drums. Nor can ordinary objects be seen clearly enough: hence the institution of banners and flags.

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War contains many insights into warfare that can be applied to many areas of life, including business and personal relationships. One such insight can be found in Chapter 7, Verse 23, where Sun Tzu discusses the importance of communication and visibility on the battlefield.

Sun Tzu observes that in the chaos and noise of battle, the spoken word often cannot be heard over the din of battle. To address this problem, armies in ancient times used gongs and drums to signal orders and commands to their soldiers. Similarly, in business and other areas of life, clear communication is essential to success. If orders and instructions are not clearly communicated, mistakes and misunderstandings can occur, leading to failures and setbacks.

In addition to clear communication, Sun Tzu also emphasizes the importance of visibility on the battlefield. He notes that ordinary objects are often difficult to see clearly in the heat of battle, and so banners and flags were used to help soldiers identify their allies and enemies. In business and personal relationships, clarity and transparency can be just as important. When everyone involved understands their roles and responsibilities and has a clear picture of the situation at hand, it becomes easier to work together effectively and achieve common goals.

Overall, Sun Tzu’s advice in Chapter 7, Verse 23 reminds us of the importance of communication and visibility in any situation where we are working with others towards a common goal. By paying attention to these principles and ensuring that everyone involved is on the same page, we can increase our chances of success and avoid unnecessary mistakes and misunderstandings.