I just had a delegate ask me in class the other day about how public administrators should be planning. Whilst there are many management theories out there, the one that stands out for me is Sun Tzu’s – The Art of War. In the first chapter, Sun Tzu speaks about the importance of the art of war for states and delegated the first chapter of his work to Planning. Here’s a brief of what I discussed in class.
Sun Tzu describes five major factors of Planning in a battle, namely the (1) Moral Law (2) Heaven (3) Earth (4) Commander and (5) Method & Discipline. Let me loosely translate the 5 factors here and apply them to a more modern context of government administration.
(1) Moral Law – Demonstrates the importance of Ethics. Ethics lay the foundation in any government. Good leaders use unity to create harmony amongst its people and over time builds a greater sense of sworn devotion of its people to the organisation.
(2) Heaven – Signifies the elements that are sometimes not easily predicted but critical in planning. In Sun Tzu’s work, it speaks of the atmosphere, night and day, the climate, etc., all unpredictable elements but important considerations in a battle. In the modern world, it can be interpreted as the elements that cannot be clearly predicted that makes our world today volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. This is where scenario planning, looking at trends, foresight studies become even more crucial.
We often hear of stories of people being in the right place at the right time. Was it a stoke of luck? Or was it through careful preparation?
(3) Earth – Refers to the realities and the need for careful analysis of each situation. In Sun Tzu’s work, he speaks about all the land conditions, and how an important understanding of it is needed in a battle. In our administration today, it refers to importance of always analysing our current situation, such as looking at our Strengths, Weaknesses, as well as the Opportunities and Threats that surround us.
A better understanding of our current environment or the situation we are in will put us in a better position to deal with challenges ahead.
(4) Commander – The qualities that make a leader. Sun Tzu identifies 5 traits. Wisdom, sincerity, courage, discipline and benevolence. Today, people are looking towards charismatic leaders. Charism may be an important trait but let us also not forget the basic qualities of a good leader, the values that make a true leader. Leadership is not a fad that comes and goes. Great leaders stay the whole course.
(5) Method & Discipline – In today’s context, more appropriately referred to as professionalism. We need a public administration that is professional, that not only places importance in the way we do things but how, the person behind it, does it, each and every time.
