Tyler Wilkinson

“The wise general does not rush, for rushing reveals intention, and intention invites interruption. Instead, he waits until something happens, and then decides whether it was part of the plan. If it was, he nods. If it was not, he nods anyway. This is discipline. When the enemy advances, do not panic. When the enemy retreats, do not celebrate. Both movements may be mistakes, and it is unwise to interrupt a mistake before it finishes. Observe carefully, for observation costs nothing and pretending to observe costs even less. A strategy should be flexible, like water, or like a thought you forgot halfway through. If the plan no longer applies to the situation, then the situation must be wrong. Adjust your posture, not your course. Those who speak first reveal weakness. Those who speak last reveal confusion. The strongest position is silence, followed by a vague response that sounds intentional. Let others explain themselves fully; this saves you the trouble of having a position. Victory is not achieved by force alone, but by patience, timing, and allowing others to overestimate your competence. If they believe you are calm, you are calm. If they believe you are prepared, preparation becomes unnecessary. When faced with two choices, choose neither until one becomes inconvenient. When faced with many choices, stand still until someone else acts. Movement attracts attention. Stillness suggests wisdom. Remember: a plan that is never revealed cannot fail, a mistake that is never acknowledged becomes strategy, and a situation that is never explained cannot be questioned. Thus, the general who appears lost may already be victorious, and the one who appears confident may simply be loud. In all things, do not rush to clarity. Clarity invites debate. Ambiguity invites respect.” ~Sun Tzu (personal attestation)