Timeless Lessons for Our New Leaders

The Iraq war and the actions of the former U.S. Secretary of Defense are a topic of great debate. If one explores the oldest writings as it relates to leadership and military doctrine, the lessons are clear and they have not changed in a very long time. Unfortunately we have violated this ancient wisdom and hence it is worthy of repeating.

Recognized as the oldest military treatise, The Art of War, written by Sun Tzu in 600 BC, shares two important lessons. First and foremost is that “Winning without fighting is ideal”. The intent is that one should develop a technical superiority so that victory is assured without having to expend precious and valuable resources. Clearly we failed in this primary regard and hence the second piece of ancient wisdom from Sun Tzu is more relevant, “Do not conduct operations without first determining your strategy”. To this day our strategy is still as clear as mud. For those that contemplate a new strategy, let us hope it is clearly thought through. In determining this strategy two other sources of ancient wisdom are worthy of recollection. According to Zhuge Liang, a Third Century strategist, “A general (or leader) who is not popular and denies the people is not a help to the nation or the army.”  We all know what the American Generals and people have said but if we are to truly embrace the words of our President, this war is a war for Iraqi freedom and the Iraqi people. What do these people and their generals say? How do we best help their nation and how is their will being factored into our new strategy? Success will only be assured if their needs are met, not ours.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, from the 13th Century Book of Balance and Harmony, “Deep knowledge is to be aware of a disturbance before the disturbance occurs.  Wisdom is to know the answer before the question is asked. To sense and comprehend after action is not worthy.” Based on our deep knowledge, we know that after such a battle a nation must be rebuilt and become self sustainable. We lacked sufficient wisdom in not answering how we were going to accomplish this before the question was asked. In that regard, our actions have not been worthy.

Let us hope that as we plan the next phase of this war that we understand the future disturbances. Let us pray that our new leaders will answer the questions before they are asked so that history will look back on this moment of time and judge our actions worthy of the cause for Iraqi freedom.