Management Lessons From World's Greatest Generals
Balance punishment and reward
Don’t pamper your employees so much that you spoil them; and don’t miss on important things and make them unsatisfied.
The mantra is to be balanced and keep everything in best of its form and terms. Work and preach with the right timings; just to keep your employees happy don’t be too kind if your expectations are not fulfilled.
Sima Rangju, General in the army of ancient China, had both fierce and compassionate side, where he shared food and supplies equally among his troops and cared for the injured and weak. However, when two of the men disrespected Rangju, he executed one and killed the attendant of the other.
Build a group myth
Building a team is easy, but to keep it alive and working together is a difficult task. To help achieve team success and unity, one has to work in a way to show that the team is unique and consists of people who can triumph.
The leader should help keep the team united and filled with enthusiasm. Team logo, or slogan, or a song dedicated to the team will help uplift the spirits and generate more power and ability to work. When General Washington’s troupe camped in harsh winters waiting for the right time to strike, 2,500 soldiers lost their lives to various diseases as there was less to eat; but who survived were more determined of winning the battle against their enemies and surged ahead. Working, struggling, and surviving together is itself a motivation for the team.
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