8 Maxim Strategy
"Assistance at A Distance"
Eight Maxims of Strategy
Distance Consulting by Fred Nickols
In many cases, Distance
Consulting provides an effective, low-cost alternative to high-priced on-site consulting. If you want to know more about how it works, give me a call at (740)
397-2363 or send me an e-mail at the address below.
nickols@att.net
© Fred Nickols 2000
From Sir Basil H. Liddell-Hart
Eight Maxims of Strategy
These eight maxims of strategy are drawn from Chapter XX (pp. 348-349) of Sir Basil H. Liddell-Hart's book, Strategy (2nd Edition Revised).
Frederick A. Praeger, Publisher: New York (1968).
1. Adjust your end to your means.
Clear sight and cool calculation should prevail. Do not bite off more than you can chew. Keep a clear sense of what is possible. Face facts while preserving faith. Confidence will be of no avail if the troops are run down.
2. Keep your object always in mind, while adapting your plan to circumstances
Recognize that alternatives exist but make sure they all bear on the object. Weigh the feasibility of attaining an objective against its contribution to the attainment of the end in mind.
3. Choose the line (or course) of least expectation.
Put yourself in your opposition’s shoes and try to see what course of action he will see as least probable and thus not try to forestall.
6. Ensure that both plans and dispositions are flexible – adaptable to circumstances.
Include contingencies or next steps – for success as well as failure.
Organize and deploy your resources in ways that facilitate adaptation to either. 7. Do not throw your weight into a stroke whilst your opponent is on guard – whilst he is well placed to parry or evade it.
Unless your opponent is much inferior, do not attack until he has been disorganized and demoralized. Psychological warfare precedes physical warfare. Similarly, physical warfare can be psychological in nature. 8. Do not renew an attack along the
Eight Maxims of Strategy
Distance Consulting by Fred Nickols
In many cases, Distance
Consulting provides an effective, low-cost alternative to high-priced on-site consulting. If you want to know more about how it works, give me a call at (740)
397-2363 or send me an e-mail at the address below.
nickols@att.net
© Fred Nickols 2000
From Sir Basil H. Liddell-Hart
Eight Maxims of Strategy
These eight maxims of strategy are drawn from Chapter XX (pp. 348-349) of Sir Basil H. Liddell-Hart's book, Strategy (2nd Edition Revised).
Frederick A. Praeger, Publisher: New York (1968).
1. Adjust your end to your means.
Clear sight and cool calculation should prevail. Do not bite off more than you can chew. Keep a clear sense of what is possible. Face facts while preserving faith. Confidence will be of no avail if the troops are run down.
2. Keep your object always in mind, while adapting your plan to circumstances
Recognize that alternatives exist but make sure they all bear on the object. Weigh the feasibility of attaining an objective against its contribution to the attainment of the end in mind.
3. Choose the line (or course) of least expectation.
Put yourself in your opposition’s shoes and try to see what course of action he will see as least probable and thus not try to forestall.
6. Ensure that both plans and dispositions are flexible – adaptable to circumstances.
Include contingencies or next steps – for success as well as failure.
Organize and deploy your resources in ways that facilitate adaptation to either. 7. Do not throw your weight into a stroke whilst your opponent is on guard – whilst he is well placed to parry or evade it.
Unless your opponent is much inferior, do not attack until he has been disorganized and demoralized. Psychological warfare precedes physical warfare. Similarly, physical warfare can be psychological in nature. 8. Do not renew an attack along the