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Sun Tzu - The Art of War for Managers: 50 Strategic Rules Updated for Today's Business
Seize the advantage from your competitors and conquer today’s competitive business world with these 50 strategic business rules from the tried-and-tested wisdom of Sun Tzu.In today’s competitive business world, you must capture the high ground and defend it against your rivals. The secret lies in mastering the strategic arts taught by the ancient Chinese military theorist Sun Tzu. Gerald A. Michaelson’s classic book breaks down Sun Tzu’s lessons to help you move from manager to leader and vanquish your competition. In this fully updated edition, Steven Michaelson offers new examples drawn from companies ranging from Amazon to Toyota to Google, putting Sun Tzu at your side for today's business challenges. Here is the wisdom—tested for twenty-five centuries—that will help you seize the advantage, storm your competitors’ gates, and conquer the marketplace!
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 1998
265 people are currently reading
910 people want to read
About the author
Gerald A. Michaelson
13 books6 followersGerald A. Michaelson was the author of many business books including the classic The Art of War for Managers, and others in the Sun Tzu series including Strategies for Success, Sun Tzu for Sales, and Sun Tzu for Marketing.
Gerald Michaelson spent over 25 years growing sales for Magnavox/Phillips, in sales, marketing, and ultimately as a Corporate Vice President, using the strategic concepts set forth in this book.
As a writer and consultant he was internationally recognized. As a featured speaker at an international symposium on Sun Tzu's the Art of War in Beijing, China, he also returned to conduct management seminars for the Chinese government utilizing Sun Tzu's strategic concepts. His articles appeared in leading periodicals of his time including Success Magazine, World Executive's Digest and Traveler in Asia, Executive Edge, and Sales and Marketing Management. He also wrote a weekly column for newspapers in the Scripps Howard network. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association, and of fast growing companies. He appeared on every continent speaking on his insights from Sun Tzu.
Michaelson's diverse experiences as a Korean War Veteran, a Fortune 500 executive, a consultant, writer and author gave him the broad background that culminated in the classic Sun Tzu The Art of War for Managers. His business writings were praised by leaders from corporate CEO's, to military historians, to leading consultants. He passed away in 2005.
In 2010, his son, writing partner, and experienced CEO Steven W. Michaelson updated the timeless classic Sun Tzu The Art of War for Managers in a second edition. Staying true to the principles and thoughts in the first edition, Steve updated the business examples, and added new Managers Examples to continue to help readers understand Sun Tzu's applicability to daily business challenges.
Gerald Michaelson spent over 25 years growing sales for Magnavox/Phillips, in sales, marketing, and ultimately as a Corporate Vice President, using the strategic concepts set forth in this book.
As a writer and consultant he was internationally recognized. As a featured speaker at an international symposium on Sun Tzu's the Art of War in Beijing, China, he also returned to conduct management seminars for the Chinese government utilizing Sun Tzu's strategic concepts. His articles appeared in leading periodicals of his time including Success Magazine, World Executive's Digest and Traveler in Asia, Executive Edge, and Sales and Marketing Management. He also wrote a weekly column for newspapers in the Scripps Howard network. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association, and of fast growing companies. He appeared on every continent speaking on his insights from Sun Tzu.
Michaelson's diverse experiences as a Korean War Veteran, a Fortune 500 executive, a consultant, writer and author gave him the broad background that culminated in the classic Sun Tzu The Art of War for Managers. His business writings were praised by leaders from corporate CEO's, to military historians, to leading consultants. He passed away in 2005.
In 2010, his son, writing partner, and experienced CEO Steven W. Michaelson updated the timeless classic Sun Tzu The Art of War for Managers in a second edition. Staying true to the principles and thoughts in the first edition, Steve updated the business examples, and added new Managers Examples to continue to help readers understand Sun Tzu's applicability to daily business challenges.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 1, 2008
I don't like to think of management in terms of war. I'd rather think of it in terms of a garden.
October 6, 2019
I just can't stand this kind of stuff. Like many others, I was forced to read these kinds of business strategy books as an undergrad business major. Being the enthusiastic reader that I am, I expected to get some entertainment or enlightenment out of them, but was sadly disappointed. When I was working a contract job as a network systems integrator, our contracts had run out and we didn't have much to do, so our boss gave me and my coworker this book to study, thinking it would help us. We would read a few chapters and then have a book discussion with him. He wasn't a pleasant man, so it was no fun for either of us. We spent a lot of time at my boss's home, and I got a chance to see his tiny bookshelf (I have any affinity for bookshelves); all I recall seeing on there was a few different versions of this book and maybe the original Art of War. I don't think he ever actually read this book. We were laid off from our job before we had a chance to finish our book study, so this book remained unfinished for over a year. I finally finished it just so I could give it this rating. Here are some of the things I found off-putting: I didn't care for the concubine story at the beginning, although my boss absolutely loved it. It seemed like there wasn't much difference between the chapters and they were just kind of paraphrasing the same things over and over. And I'm not crazy about the idea of comparing business management with war. Apples and oranges. However, I am a student of philosophy, so the original Art of War may need to be put on my TBR. I'm almost certain it's better.
February 14, 2014
This is the best of all of those gimmicky business books out there that I have yet read. I especially liked how the author first presented his favourite translation, and then a few other translations. It helped me get the feel for the difficulty of translating Chinese ideograms. This way made the book hopefully more faithful to the ideas expressed, even if applied in a business context.
August 11, 2017
كتاب ألفه قائد حربي صيني منذ ٢,٠٠٠ عام بيحكي عن التكتيك بالمعارك والأفضلية والسيادة والانتصار, الكتاب تم تطبيقه بحرب الخليج وبعالم البزنس خصوصي الشركات الكورية متل سامسونغ، وهالنسخة من الكتاب بتشرح فقرات وبتسقطها على عالم البزنس وكيف تنتصر وتتفوق. كانت تجربة حلوة وفيه شغلات كتير مهمة
April 7, 2014
Another boring management book for my grad class.
September 30, 2018
This is the 2nd book on Sun Tzu's Art of War that I've read. The book focuses on breaking down Sun Tzu's 13 chapters (below) into 50 strategic laws for managers/business:
1. Detailed Planning & Assessment.
2. Waging War.
3. Strategic Attacks.
4. Tactical Dispositions.
5. Use of Forces.
6. Strength vs Weakness.
7. Maneuvering.
8. Tactical Variation.
9. Moving & Deploying Troops.
10. Terrain.
11. The 9 Battlegrounds.
12. Attack with Fire.
13. Intelligence & Espionage.
I like that this book is really compact--it covers all 13 chapters of Sun Tzu's Art of War with a clear structure: a translation of Sun Tzu’s words (making references to other translations that capture different nuances or interpretations), then moving on to a manager’s commentary with short references to modern-world examples.
But its compactness is also why I found this book to fall a little short:
(a) Sun Tzu's works are complex... although Michaelson made references to a few other translations/interpretations of Sun Tzu's texts meant, I feel in some parts, the essence isn't really captured (especially since I do read Chinese and can read the original Sun Tzu text too). Moreover the laws/principles are so broad (and come with so many different nuances) that there could be countless ways to be applied in the real world. The book's great if you want the principles translated into simple strategic management rules; but I would have preferred more depth.
(b) This book is supposed to be updated with modern-day business examples. There were indeed some business references, but I found them way too brief to be of real value. To see the complexity of strategy and tactics in action, we need to know the context and what the businesses did within that context. Each business reference was between a few lines to a few paragraphs--to short to give any real insight. long which really offer much insight didn't shed any light for me. And, IMHO, not all the examples and business interpretation relate closely to Sun Tzu’s tips.
So, I'd say this is a good overview if you want to know broadly what's in the Art of War and how it may apply to business. But not if you want to truly study/ understand Sun Tzu's works.
Book summary at: https://readingraphics.com/book-summa...
1. Detailed Planning & Assessment.
2. Waging War.
3. Strategic Attacks.
4. Tactical Dispositions.
5. Use of Forces.
6. Strength vs Weakness.
7. Maneuvering.
8. Tactical Variation.
9. Moving & Deploying Troops.
10. Terrain.
11. The 9 Battlegrounds.
12. Attack with Fire.
13. Intelligence & Espionage.
I like that this book is really compact--it covers all 13 chapters of Sun Tzu's Art of War with a clear structure: a translation of Sun Tzu’s words (making references to other translations that capture different nuances or interpretations), then moving on to a manager’s commentary with short references to modern-world examples.
But its compactness is also why I found this book to fall a little short:
(a) Sun Tzu's works are complex... although Michaelson made references to a few other translations/interpretations of Sun Tzu's texts meant, I feel in some parts, the essence isn't really captured (especially since I do read Chinese and can read the original Sun Tzu text too). Moreover the laws/principles are so broad (and come with so many different nuances) that there could be countless ways to be applied in the real world. The book's great if you want the principles translated into simple strategic management rules; but I would have preferred more depth.
(b) This book is supposed to be updated with modern-day business examples. There were indeed some business references, but I found them way too brief to be of real value. To see the complexity of strategy and tactics in action, we need to know the context and what the businesses did within that context. Each business reference was between a few lines to a few paragraphs--to short to give any real insight. long which really offer much insight didn't shed any light for me. And, IMHO, not all the examples and business interpretation relate closely to Sun Tzu’s tips.
So, I'd say this is a good overview if you want to know broadly what's in the Art of War and how it may apply to business. But not if you want to truly study/ understand Sun Tzu's works.
Book summary at: https://readingraphics.com/book-summa...
December 2, 2016
I really think this is one of the best book for business. He uses Sun Tzu's war tactics and turning them into strategies for business. After he translates Sun Tzu's method, he later adds another translation at the end to give you a clearer idea of what Sun Tzu's means. Then, he adds examples of companies that uses that strategy that succeeded because of it.
August 20, 2010
Nothing mind boggling here... but some useful reminders of different strategies and tactics of dealing with idiots in the office...
March 29, 2013
A should-read book on office politics which will happen to you and around you whether you participate in politics or not.
July 11, 2016
What a gem - excellent and entertaining.
March 21, 2016
Was well worth the read.
June 16, 2025
It was fine. Like all business books it’s mostly fluff or derivative (in this case, purposefully so) but I still managed to squeeze a nugget or two of wisdom out.
The problem with this book is twofold:
1/ it’s dated. And it shows. The examples just aren’t so good in 2025.
2/ it assumes your relationships are adversarial. So I guess if you’re a CEO, executive, or VP-level manager, sure. You have to look outward to competitors. It would explain why most examples in part 2 are from execs. But if you’re a middle or line manager, your direct impact to competition is far more limited, and far more about collaborating with other teams. And even then, business is not a zero sum game. Business is not always an analogy for war or else it would be modern warfare. And there is still war, hence they are not the same. It’s just weird to equate the two.
The heavy focus on competitors, adversaries, and domination just feels very myopic and limited in your ability to do great things in business.
The problem with this book is twofold:
1/ it’s dated. And it shows. The examples just aren’t so good in 2025.
2/ it assumes your relationships are adversarial. So I guess if you’re a CEO, executive, or VP-level manager, sure. You have to look outward to competitors. It would explain why most examples in part 2 are from execs. But if you’re a middle or line manager, your direct impact to competition is far more limited, and far more about collaborating with other teams. And even then, business is not a zero sum game. Business is not always an analogy for war or else it would be modern warfare. And there is still war, hence they are not the same. It’s just weird to equate the two.
The heavy focus on competitors, adversaries, and domination just feels very myopic and limited in your ability to do great things in business.
July 28, 2025
Selected pieces of Sun Tzu, where you can see how they are applied to business situations. The book, far beyond its origins of war, is a study of human interactions where the use of strategic action is paramount.
It's often needed, and sorely so, in international negotiations and where a lack of a unifying culture demands a little more than a sales pitch.
It's often needed, and sorely so, in international negotiations and where a lack of a unifying culture demands a little more than a sales pitch.
March 1, 2017
This guy Michaelson may be an expert on translating Sun Tzu, but his is a master of neithor warfare nor the art of metaphor. He has butchered and trivialized a great work.
November 7, 2019
Very good one!
October 11, 2021
3.5/5 rounded up
May 25, 2025
Not convinced that Sun Tzu’s ideas are as universally applicable as Michelson claims. His translation to a business context feels a bit forced.
June 11, 2021
Started reading this just to fill in between books. Waiting for Row the Boat to arrive. Completed. Interesting that information written several hundred years before Christ can be found applicable to the Business world and sport competitions. Suggestions presented may also be applicable to everyday life. The book talks about success is often found by those who take risk versus those who don't. Sort of a hard read as the writer follows a set format throughout the book. I would recommend to coaches and business leaders alike.
June 28, 2020
*I read the original book. I've only reviewed this one because it made my 'book published' graph rediculously squished, seeing as it's written so long ago*
Interesting. I wonder how many battles have been fought using the methods in this book
Interesting. I wonder how many battles have been fought using the methods in this book
January 20, 2022
an abiding worry for humanity - that management schools in America still (would ever!?!) point their undergraduates to Sun Tzu's military tactics text for guidance on how to run businesses; clever parallels from two texts; a sad indictment on the business world
August 3, 2016
nice correlations from war to work.
April 2, 2023
Strategy for Business.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews