SUN TZU and Organizational Development

IF YOU ARE like me, you may not at first have associated Sun Tzu's teachings with concepts such as humanistic values and nurturing interpersonal relationships. These are among the core values of Organization Development (OD for short) and Sun Tzu shares a similar philosophy: "Fighting to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the supreme skill. However to break the enemy's resistance without fighting is the supreme skill."

This particular philosophy is the essence of OD - creating a strong organization that continues to change and grow stronger in order to stay ahead of its competitors. An excellent organization is one that strives to be the best for its customers, employees, community, shareholders, etc., so everybody wins, even the competition minimizes loses and learns a lot in the process. If this sounds too idealistic to you in today's environment, then think about a competition you have participated in, maybe a sporting event of some kind. Can you see the benefits for everyone involved in a spirited, healthy, competitive environment? [Article]