In The Art of War, Sun Tzu says "To Become Powerful, Be in An Invincible Position"

Sun Tzu, in his Art of War, says if you want to be powerful, you have to put yourself in an invincible position.

If you notice all influential people, like CEOs, or business and political leaders, they appear powerful.

How do they appear powerful and influential? Why are they respected, and why are people influenced by them?

Here is a wise quote by the most famous ancient military strategist, Sun Tzu, in his "Art of War":

Good fighters in the past put themselves in an invincible position and then waited for the opportunity to be victorious when the enemy was vulnerable.

When Sun Tzu talks about "Good fighters," he is referring to skillful, powerful commanders and generals.

To become powerful, they will first put themselves in an invincible position.

An invincible position means to become strong mentally and physically.

In "The Art of War,"

an invincible position means being so powerful that no enemy is able to defeat you, and you are able to defeat your enemy very easily without them even knowing.

I would say,

Once you are in an invincible position, you then can seek out opportunities to be powerful and wealthy.

What is a power? How to be powerful?

Power is a multi-concept that comes from various factors, that enables you to become formidable and influential, whether in the realms of business or personal life.

Power does not only comes from authority or control only.

Power comes from a combination of mindset, observation, mystery, and strategic deception.

Only then you can control and dominate your environment effectively.

Let's discuss how one can be powerful.

Table of Contents:

1. Power comes from the mindset

2. The powerful observe, the weak talk.

3. Become powerful by being silent and mysterious.

4. Use deception as a tool to be powerful.

5. Power comes from alliances.

6. Powerful people have patience.

Power comes from the mindset

With a power mindset, a powerful person is able to see things others cannot. Power all starts from the mind and then action will automatically follow.

The foundation of power is deeply rooted in one's mindset. A powerful person thinks differently from the average person.

They have the ability to view situations from a broad perspective, enabling them to understand the complexities of different situations.

This broad thinking is complemented by a profound depth of thought, which give them an open-mind and also able to pay attention to fine details.

This art of thinking encourages creativity and innovation, which are crucial qualities for achieving success in any venture.

"A powerful person's mindset is characterized by wisdom"—the ability to discern truth from falsehood.

In today's world, where misinformation is everywhere, having the capability to identify fake news and biased information is extremely valuable.

A powerful person is able to discern to make informed decisions based on factual information, rather than being swayed by the distractions of misleading narratives.

A powerful mindset is also characterized by clarity of thought, which is a crucial element.

When a person thinks clearly, they can assess situations accurately and make strategic decisions that lead to favourable outcomes.

This clarity enables them to evaluate risks, identify opportunities, and formulate effective strategies that propel them toward their goals.

This is how you become powerful mentally.

The Powerful Observes, The Weak Talk

Powerful people focus and observe strategically. Observation is a silent yet potent source of power.

One does not need to be vocal or excessively active on social media to showcase their strength.

Instead, true power often lies in the ability to gather knowledge through careful observation. This strategic knowledge equips you with an advantage over others, whether in business maneuvers or personal gains.

To harness the power of observation, one must cultivate a keen awareness of their surroundings.

As Sun Tzu in his Art Of War says,

Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory is undoubted; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make you victory complete.

The powerful observe to gather information, to look for opportunities, to identify bad characters.

The weak talk a lot. They give out information, reveal their weaknesses, share secrets, and put themselves in a vulnerable position. That's why they are weak.

These weak people are blinded by what they want to see and say.

The powerful observe first, assess the situation, and then act. The powerful is able to seize opportunities when they see.

The weak do not see and only talk about it when the opportunities slip of their hand.

Become Powerful by Being Silent and Mysterious

Another essential part of being powerful is the ability to remain silent and mysterious. As Sun Tzu said in The Art of War, maintaining a degree of mystery is a powerful strategy.

By keeping one's plans and intentions to oneself, you can protect yourself from being judge and potentially being manipulated by others.

Sun Tzu says,

The supreme skill in commanding troops is the ability to be shapeless in command. Nobody knows your dispositions, and you will be safe from the prying eyes of the subtlest spies, from the plot of the wisest brains.

Refrain from sharing your ambitions and strategies with everyone in your circle, including family, friends, and team members.

Instead, one should selectively disclose information, revealing only what is necessary to facilitate progress.

This approach not only preserves the element of surprise but also prevents others from forming judgments or attempting to exploit your goals.

By cultivating an aura of mystery and speaking less, you create an environment where others are left guessing about your true intentions.

This strategic silence can be a formidable tool, as it prevents others from fully understanding your capabilities and can deter them from attempting to sabotage your work.

Use deception as a tool to be powerful

As Sun Tzu wisely noted, deception is a fundamental component of power and strategy.

In the context of competition, whether in warfare or business, the ability to mislead opponents about your true intentions can provide a significant advantage. When your enemies are uncertain about your next move, they are left vulnerable and unable to mount an effective response.

As Sun Tzu says,

All warfare is based on deception.

Keeping your enemies on the run and unsure of your position is a tactic that can be employed to maintain control over any situation.

When your enemy cannot pinpoint your location or strategy, they are less likely to launch an attack, granting you the freedom to pursue your objectives undisturbed.

When misleading your enemies to believe what you want them to think, you create distractions while you focus on building your own power and wealth.

For example, powerful and influential individuals frequently utilize social media to deliberately disseminate messages that serve their interests while deceiving the public.

By controlling the message, they can manipulate perceptions and maintain their position of power.

Power comes from alliances

Having the right circle friends is important to protect yourself and to get what you want. This is especially true if you are sitting in a high corporate position or it you are a business person.

Strong alliances are also the very reason you get to climb up to a higher-level leadership position.

Power comes from the ability to form an inner circle or network of individuals who are aligned with your goals and aspirations, enabling you to effectively push your agenda forward.

This inner circle is not merely a collection of acquaintances; rather, it consists of trusted allies, mentors, and supporters who share a common vision and are committed to helping you achieve your objectives.

These relationships are built on mutual respect, shared interests, and, often, a history of collaboration that fosters a sense of loyalty and trust.

The strength of these alliances can significantly amplify your influence and reach, allowing you to navigate complex social and professional landscapes with greater ease.

The ability to strategically deploy the right people at the right time is crucial in capitalizing on emerging opportunities.

This involves not only recognizing when a moment of potential impact arises but also knowing who in your network possesses the skills, resources, or connections necessary to act decisively.

Timing is essential in this regard; a well-timed intervention or support from a key ally can make the difference between success and failure.

By leveraging the strengths of your network, you can create a powerful coalition that is capable of handling challenges, seizing opportunities, and ultimately driving your agenda forward with greater momentum.

Alliance-building and strategic collaboration are fundamental to power and influence in any business.

Powerful People Have Patience

Power comes from characteristics of influence, strength, and decisiveness. However, it is essential to recognize that true power also comes from having patience.

Patience is not a passive state of waiting; it is an active and strategic approach that enables you to make decisive decisions.

In the world of business and strategy, patience becomes an invaluable asset, allowing you to execute business maneuvers to gain a competitive advantage.

In the fast-changing business world, patience is very crucial in decision-making.

It is the ability to wait for the right moment to act that often differentiates successful leaders from weak leaders.

With patience, you can study the situation thoroughly, gather necessary information, and understand the dynamics at play before making a move.

Patience is also employed to wait for the best timing to launch an attack, minimizing the use of one's strength by exploiting the enemy's weaknesses.

It also encourages you to think strategically, weighing your options and considering the consequences of your actions.

In this way, patience acts as a safeguard for you against hasty judgments and rash actions that could destroy your goals.

A powerful person has patience, allowing them to navigate challenges with foresight and clarity.

A powerful person rarely makes mistakes. Through patience, one can achieve a level of precision in their actions that minimizes the likelihood of error.

So, when decisions are made strategically, with ample time for reflection and analysis, no mistakes are made. This disciplined approach not only enhances your effectiveness but also builds a reputation for reliability and competence.

Sun Tzu in his Art of War says,

He wins his battle by making no mistakes. Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, which means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

Careful planning and execution reduce mistakes, and increase success. Conquering an already defeated enemy depends on the power of preparation and strategic patience.

At the same time understanding an opponent's weaknesses and waiting for the right moment will lead to a favorable outcome.

The power-patience relationship is crucial. True power lies in waiting for the right moment, not in immediate action. Embracing patience enhances decision-making, reduces errors, and leads to a formidable power.

In conclusion, power is a complex interplay of mindset, observation, silence, strategic deception, patience, and forming alliances. By understanding and using these elements, powerful individuals can cultivate a formidable presence that enables them to navigate challenges and seize opportunities effectively.

Mastering the art of being powerful will result in success in both personal and business worlds, enabling you to win in a modern competitive environment.

Be powerful by learning The Art Of War

Having all the resources like wealth, connections, and good looks don't get you far without a strategy.

A strategy is not only a direction to take you from where you are to where you want to go. It is a game plan to get you there.

Do you have a game plan?

Learn The Art of War from Mr. Art Of War.