Summary
Sun Tzu classifies terrain into six types, each requiring different approaches. Accessible ground allows free movement. Entangling ground is easy to enter but hard to leave. Narrow passes favor defense. Each terrain type demands specific tactics. More significantly, Sun Tzu identifies six calamities that destroy armies—not from terrain but from leadership failure: flight (overwhelming the enemy), insubordination (strong soldiers with weak officers), collapse (weak soldiers with strong officers), ruin (disobedient officers), disorganization (lax discipline), and rout (mismatched forces against stronger ones). The chapter concludes with leadership philosophy: 'Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.' But this care must be balanced—spoiled soldiers become useless.
Coming Up in Chapter 11
Sun Tzu presents the nine situations of strategic positioning—from dispersive to desperate ground...
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An excerpt from the original text.(~156 words)
Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain: accessible ground, entangling ground, temporizing ground, narrow passes, precipitous heights, positions at a great distance from the enemy. Sun Tzu classifies terrain into six types, each requiring different approaches. Accessible ground allows free movement. Entangling ground is easy to enter but hard to leave. Narrow passes favor defense. Each terrain type demands specific tactics. More significantly, Sun Tzu identifies six calamities that destroy armies—not from terrain but from leadership failure: flight (overwhelming the enemy), insubordination (strong soldiers with weak officers), collapse (weak soldiers with strong officers), ruin (disobedient officers), disorganization (lax discipline), and rout (mismatched forces against stronger ones). The chapter concludes with leadership philosophy: 'Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.' But this care must be balanced—spoiled soldiers become useless.
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Environmental Reading
Recognizing that different environments require different approaches—and that leadership failures destroy outcomes regardless of how favorable the environment is.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
Understanding the characteristics of competitive environments before committing—and auditing your organization for calamities that could destroy outcomes regardless of positioning.
Practice This Today
For a strategic opportunity you're considering, classify its 'terrain type.' For your team, audit for any of the six calamities.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Entangling ground
Territory easy to enter but difficult to exit—requires caution before commitment
Modern Usage:
Markets, projects, or relationships that are easy to get into but hard to leave
Six calamities
Leadership failures that destroy forces: flight, insubordination, collapse, ruin, disorganization, rout
Modern Usage:
Organizational dysfunctions that doom teams regardless of strategy
Characters in This Chapter
Sun Tzu
Strategist classifying competitive environments
Shows that understanding environment is prerequisite to effective action
Modern Equivalent:
The consultant who maps competitive landscapes before recommending strategy
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys."
Context: Describing the bond between leader and forces
Genuine care creates loyalty that transcends mere obedience.
In Today's Words:
If you actually care about your team, they'll follow you through anything.
"If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt."
Context: Extending the famous principle to terrain
Knowledge—of self, enemy, and environment—eliminates uncertainty.
In Today's Words:
Know your competition, know yourself, know the environment. Then victory becomes certain.
Thematic Threads
Preparation
In This Chapter
Understanding terrain before engagement determines outcomes
Development
The prepared strategist reads environment before committing
In Your Life:
How well do you understand the 'terrain' of your competitive environment?
Leadership
In This Chapter
The six calamities are leadership failures, not terrain failures
Development
Leadership quality matters more than environmental advantages
In Your Life:
Which calamities might affect your team or organization?
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What type of 'terrain' is your current competitive environment? How should that shape strategy?
analysis • medium - 2
Which of the six calamities have you seen destroy organizations despite good positions?
reflection • medium - 3
Have you ever entered 'entangling ground'—easy to enter, hard to leave? What happened?
application • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
The Terrain Classification
Classify a strategic opportunity using Sun Tzu's terrain types.
Consider:
- •Is it accessible (free movement, no first-mover advantage)?
- •Is it entangling (easy in, hard out)?
- •Is it a narrow pass (first-mover wins definitively)?
- •What leadership calamities might affect your ability to succeed there?
Journaling Prompt
Describe a time when you entered 'entangling ground' without realizing it. What would you do differently?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 11: The Nine Situations
As the story unfolds, you'll explore the nine strategic situations and how to handle each, while uncovering desperate situations often produce the best performance. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.