ABSTRACT
The underlying significance of Sun Tzu’s statements is that terrain—or, more precisely, markets—represents one of the fundamental factors in determining success and should be “the highest responsibility of the leader.” The evolving car-sharing business illustrates the difficulty of looking at the terrain under various market conditions. Meaningful solutions from an empowered staff require them to interpret “terrain” and make reliable estimates and calculations about key issues before considering strategies and committing resources. Sun Tzu continues by combining knowledge of the terrain with effective leadership with the following statements: to estimate the rival’s situation and to calculate distances and the degree of difficulty of the ground, so as to control victory, are virtues of the superior leader.
