Work Archives

Submittal Schedule: What It Is and Why You Might Need One

What is a submittal schedule? Why is it crucial that engineers and contractors use them? What can the rest of us learn from the submittal schedule about how to work efficiently? A submittal schedule is a type of checklist that specifies when people need to communicate, about what, and with whom. The submittal schedule typically dictates that various experts speak to each other on specific dates regarding progress in specific areas, as well as who needed to share, or submit, information before the next steps can proceed. We’ll look at how the need for submittal schedules in contracting arose and

The Greatest Victory Is That Which Requires No Battle: Why?

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu says, “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.” Why is this the greatest victory? How can you be victorious over your enemy if there’s no battle? We’ll cover how preemptive strikes are the key to the best kind of victory and why the easy victory is actually the greatest victory.

To Know Your Enemy, You Must Become Your Enemy (Sun Tzu Explained)

The Hero With a Thousand Faces: Book Overview

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu says, “To know your enemy, you must become your enemy.” What does Tzu mean by that? How do you become your enemy? We’ll cover 17 strategies for reading your enemy so well that you practically become your enemy. Learn what signs to look for.

Warring States Period in China: 6 Tactics of Warfare (Sun Tzu)

What was the Warring States Period? What can it teach us about battle tactics? The Warring States Period, or Era of Warring States, was a period between around 480 B.C.E. to around 246 B.C.E. During this era, various Chinese dynasties were at war, including the Wei, Zhou, Han, and Qi. The Qi eventually won control of the area. We’ll cover how the warring states formed alliances during this period and what we can learn from their turmoil.

Cover & Move (From Jocko’s Extreme Ownership)

Chapter 5 explores the Cover and Move strategy. On a battlefield, Cover and Move allows a team to work together to reach a destination: One group provides cover — keeping an eye out and having weapons ready to ward off enemies — as the other group advances forward. Then they switch roles, essentially leapfrogging forward, until they reach their destination. This may not appear to have much relevance outside a warzone, but the principle of Cover and Move is teamwork. The entire team must work together, supporting and protecting each other, for everyone’s safety and success. Everyone on the team

Decentralized Command (from Jocko’s Extreme Ownership)

You can be the best leader in the world, but you’re still human and you simply can’t do everything yourself. Decentralized Command is a form of delegating that allows leaders to stay focused on their unique job — leading the overall team in pursuit of the larger goal — by allowing each junior leader and team member under them to carry out her own unique job.

Discipline Equals Freedom: What Does This Mean?

It seems counterintuitive that exercising discipline in turn gives you freedom, but, as with all of the dichotomies described above, this requires balance. If you are strategic and deliberate, you can create a regimented approach that ultimately gives you more freedom.

The Ultimate Guide to Interest-Based Bargaining

What is interest-based bargaining? And how can it help you negotiate successfully? Interest-based bargaining is a negotiation strategy that focuses on the interests of the parties (what they really want) rather than their positions (what they think the solution is). Learn why interest-based negotiation is more effective than positional bargaining and how to use it for successful negotiations.

Law 48: Assume Formlessness (48 Laws of Power)

Overview of Law #48: Assume Formlessness Be flexible, fluid, and unpredictable — formless — so your opponents can’t get a fix on you and figure out how to respond. When you look and behave in conventional ways that your enemy can grasp, you’re easy to attack. Assume formlessness and change constantly to suit ever-changing circumstances and needs.

Law 46: Never Appear Too Perfect (48 Laws of Power)

Overview of Law #46: Never Appear Too Perfect Your talents and achievements will generate envy. The envious will work quietly against you. To forestall or mitigate envy, admit to a flaw or weakness, emphasize the role of luck, or downplay your talents. Envy is extremely dangerous — recognize it and don’t let it escalate. This is why you should never appear too perfect.