Want to Lead? Learn from the Master, Kung Ming: Power and Responsibility

Power and Responsibility are the two faces that share one physical body and they cannot be separated. A leader who is the central power of a nation must at the same time be fully responsible for the success and failure of that nation. Power is the force that supports one to command and lead. This force communicates its presence by the manner in which that individual carries himself. A leader who is skilled in command is like a strong tiger who possesses wings. He possesses total freedom in expressing himself and his action meets no obstacles. A leader who is inept in command is like a fish out of water. Although he wishes to ride the force of the waves, he is unable.

Uproot the Wicked

The reasons for the failure of any organization is rooted in the following people.

1. He who is fond of creating clusters among the mediocreminded people so he may focus the group's objective to annihilate the proficient individuals.

2. He who is enslaved by his extravagant spending habits.

3- He who devotes all of his attention to fault finding, thus stimulating the group's discontent, all for the benefit of his selfish aims.

4. He who only focuses on his personal losses and gains, and whose actions are solely based on the principle of winning at all costs.

The above-mentioned are malicious, hypocritical, and wicked. One must keep away from them.

Methods to Recognize the Individual's True Character

The most difficult thing is to detect someone's true nature. One can be kind outwardly, yet vicious inside. Others seem sincere, yet evasive. Some are brave in expression, yet cowardly. Others are hardworking, yet untrustworthy.

The following are seven methods to detect an individual's character.

1. Debate with him to know his viewpoints on life.

2. Challenge him verbally to watch the changes of his inner state.

3. Discuss strategies with him in order to observe his wisdom.

4. Enlighten him as to the difficulties and dangers ahead, thus to know his courage.

5. Cause him to be drunk, then observe his real nature.

6. Make him handle money, then know his virtue.

7. Assign work to him, then discover his competence.

In addition to these, the following are additional methods provided from other ancient books.

1. During the time of his misfortune, observe whom he befriends.

2. During the time of his prosperity, observe who receives his charity.

3. During the time he is holding high offices, observe whom he employs.

4. During the time of difficulties, does he act unethically?

5. During the time of poverty, can he be bribed?

6. Tempting him with lustful sex, observe his steadiness.

(Taken from Kung Ming's Mastering the Art of War by Chin_Ming Chu in Thick Face, Black Heart)

Kung Ming (Kong Ming, Zhu Geliang, or Zhuge Liang) is known as the "Hidden Dragon" or "Crouching Dragon" because adversaries always underestimated his skill. Kung Ming is one of the most exalted generals in Chinese history because of his brilliance in strategy. He was also an inventor and scholar, and his name is practically synonymous with wisdom. He lived during the Three Kingdoms era in China (from 190 to 280 approximately). Kung Ming is credited with writing several military strategy books including The Way of the General, which is based on Taoist principles. Many of the same theories that comprise modern Fung Shui, Kung Ming applied to military strategy, achieving great victory. (Britanica)

Some books popularly attributed to Zhuge Liang can be found today, for example the Thirty-Six Stratagems, and Mastering the Art of War (not to be confused with Sun Tzu's The Art of War) are two that are generally available. Supposedly, his mastery of infantry and cavalry formation tactics based upon the Taoist I-Ching were unrivaled. (Wikipedia)