High-performing teams are the hallmark of successful organizations. They are able to achieve outstanding results, foster innovation and collaboration, and overcome complex and dynamic challenges. But how can leaders cultivate such teams in their workplaces? One possible source of inspiration is the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, whose book The Art of War is considered a classic of leadership and strategy.
Sun Tzu’s principles of warfare can be applied to the business context, as they offer valuable insights into how to deal with uncertainty, competition, and change. In this article, we will explore how Sun Tzu’s strategies can help leaders create and sustain high-performing teams, and what benefits they can bring to their organizations.
Sun Tzu’s Strategies for High-Performing Teams
Sun Tzu was a general and a philosopher who lived in the 6th or 5th century BC. His book The Art of War is a collection of aphorisms and anecdotes that illustrate his views on warfare and leadership. Sun Tzu’s strategies are based on the idea that war is an art, not a science, and that the best way to win is to avoid fighting. He advocates for a holistic and flexible approach to strategy, that takes into account the moral, mental, and physical aspects of warfare, as well as the environmental and situational factors. Sun Tzu also emphasizes the importance of knowing oneself and one’s enemy, and of adapting to the changing circumstances.
Sun Tzu’s strategies for high-performing teams can be summarized by four themes: alignment, empowerment, diversity, and learning. Let us see how each theme can be applied to the business context.
Alignment
Alignment, according to Sun Tzu, is the quality of having a clear and shared vision, mission, and goals, and of being able to communicate them effectively to the team members. Alignment is a key theme for high-performing teams, as it ensures that everyone is on the same page, understands their roles and responsibilities, and works towards the same objectives. Alignment also fosters trust and commitment among the team members, as they feel valued and involved in the decision-making process.
To achieve alignment, leaders need to:
- Define and communicate the vision, mission, and goals of the team and the organization, and explain how they relate to the bigger picture.
- Involve the team members in setting and reviewing the goals, and provide feedback and recognition for their achievements.
- Establish clear and consistent rules and procedures, and ensure that they are followed and enforced.
- Align the team’s incentives and rewards with the desired outcomes, and avoid conflicting or contradictory messages.
Empowerment
Empowerment, according to Sun Tzu, is the quality of giving the team members the authority and autonomy to make decisions and take actions, while at the same time providing them with the necessary resources, guidance, and support. Empowerment is another key theme for high-performing teams, as it enables them to perform at their best, by leveraging their skills, talents, and creativity. Empowerment also increases the team’s motivation and engagement, as they feel more ownership and responsibility for their work.
To achieve empowerment, leaders need to:
- Delegate authority and responsibility to the team members, and trust them to make the right decisions and actions.
- Provide the team members with the information, tools, and support they need to do their work effectively and efficiently.
- Encourage the team members to take initiative, experiment, and learn from their successes and failures.
- Create a culture of psychological safety, where the team members feel comfortable to express themselves, speak up, disagree, and take risks.
Diversity
Diversity, according to Sun Tzu, is the quality of having a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences among the team members, and of being able to leverage them to generate new ideas and solutions. Diversity is another key theme for high-performing teams, as it enhances their creativity and innovation, by challenging them to think outside the box and to explore new possibilities. Diversity also improves their problem-solving and decision-making, by exposing them to different viewpoints and alternatives.
To achieve diversity, leaders need to:
- Hire and retain a diverse team, that reflects the diversity of the customers, markets, and stakeholders.
- Promote a culture of inclusion, where the team members respect, appreciate, and value each other’s differences and contributions.
- Facilitate a dialogue, where the team members listen, share, and learn from each other’s perspectives and experiences.
- Manage the conflicts, that may arise from the diversity, by fostering a constructive and collaborative approach.
Learning
Learning, according to Sun Tzu, is the quality of being able to acquire, apply, and share new knowledge and skills, and of being able to adapt to the changing environment and situations. Learning is another key theme for high-performing teams, as it enables them to improve their performance and productivity, by continuously enhancing their capabilities and competencies. Learning also prepares them for the future, by enabling them to anticipate and respond to the emerging opportunities and threats.
To achieve learning, leaders need to:
- Provide the team members with the opportunities and resources to learn and grow, both individually and collectively.
- Encourage the team members to seek and give feedback, and to use it to improve their work and behavior.
- Foster a culture of curiosity, where the team members ask questions, explore new ideas, and seek new information.
- Celebrate the successes, and learn from the failures, of the team and the organization.
Benefits of High-Performing Teams
High-performing teams, based on Sun Tzu’s strategies, can bring many benefits to the organizations, both at the individual and organizational level. Some of these benefits are:
- Increased performance and productivity: High-performing teams are able to achieve outstanding results, by using their collective skills, talents, and creativity, and by working efficiently and effectively.
- Enhanced creativity and innovation: High-performing teams are able to generate new ideas and solutions, by leveraging their diverse perspectives and experiences, and by experimenting and learning from their failures and successes.
- Improved satisfaction and engagement: High-performing teams are able to increase their satisfaction and engagement, by having a clear and shared vision, mission, and goals, and by feeling empowered and valued for their work.
- Reduced turnover and absenteeism: High-performing teams are able to reduce their turnover and absenteeism, by creating a positive and supportive work environment, and by enhancing their well-being and happiness.
Conclusion
High-performing teams are the hallmark of successful organizations. They are able to achieve outstanding results, foster innovation and collaboration, and overcome complex and dynamic challenges. Leaders can cultivate such teams in their workplaces, by applying Sun Tzu’s strategies of alignment, empowerment, diversity, and learning. These strategies can help leaders create and sustain high-performing teams, and bring many benefits to their organizations and to the world.
