Skip to main content
IOSH Magazine: Safety, Health and Wellbeing in the world of work - return to the homepage IOSH Magaazine logo
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit @ioshmagazine on Twitter
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on LinkedIn
How Jacobs keeps mental health in check
Th brilliance of resilience
January/February 2023 issue

Main navigation

  • Home
    • Browse previous issues
    • Member accolades
    • Member tributes
  • Health
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Sickness absence
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Rehabilitation
      • Personal injury
      • Return to work
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Achieving Fellowship
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Professional skills
      • Qualifications
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Jobs
  • Covid-19
  • Knowledge Bank
    • Back to basics
    • Book club
    • Infographics
    • Podcast
    • Reports
    • Webinars
    • Videos
  • Products & Services
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Sickness absence
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Leadership
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Qualifications
      • Professional skills
      • Achieving Fellowship
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Transport and logistics
  • Third sector
  • Retail
  • Mining and quarrying
  • Rail
  • Rehabilitation
    • Personal injury
    • Return to work
  • Utilities
  • Manufacturing and engineering
  • Construction
  • Sector: IOSH Branch
    • Sector: Northern Ireland
    • Sector: Midland
    • Sector: Merseyside
    • Sector: Manchester and North West Districts
    • Sector: Ireland East
    • Sector: Ireland
    • Sector: Edinburgh
    • Sector: Desmond-South Munster
    • Sector: Qatar
    • Sector: Oman
    • Singapore
    • Sector: South Coast
    • Sector: South Wales
    • Sector: Thames Valley
    • Sector: Tyne and Wear
    • Sector: UAE
    • Sector: West of Scotland
    • Sector: Yorkshire
  • Healthcare
  • Sector: Fire
  • Sector: Financial/general services
  • Sector: Energy
  • Education
  • Sector: Communications and media
  • Chemicals
  • Sector: Central government
  • Catering and leisure
  • Agriculture and forestry
  • Sector: Local government
  • Sector: IOSH Group
    • Sector: Financial Services
    • Sector: Sports Grounds and Events
    • Rural industries
    • Sector: railway
    • Public Services
    • Sector: Offshore
    • Sector: Hazardous Industries
    • Sector: Food and Drink
    • Sector: Fire Risk Management
    • Education
    • Construction
    • Sector: Aviation and Aerospace
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Categories
  • Opinion

The business book club: Ancient Chinese military strategy offers key lessons on deploying OSH forces

Open-access content Wednesday 19th December 2018

A region of seven nations was engaged in constant warfare. Sun Tzu was a general under King Helu and proved an effective strategist.

He wrote Art of War as a guide for military officers planning strategy. Sun Tzu saw war as a form of art, requiring thought, vision and dexterity.

Today, though, we might reclassify his approach as the "science of war" as he strips back and analyses the factors to consider when engaging an enemy.

Whatever could this book have to do with the art and science of safety management?

For centuries, business and military leaders and politicians have thumbed its pages seeking guidance on handling their subordinates and their competitors. Executive education programmes use it to inform modern management. If OSH practitioners are to be more aligned with the business world, this is a great place to start.

Art-of-War_Sun- TzuThe little book -- just 70 pages -- presents seven key elements that make the difference between success and failure on the battlefield. These include: knowing the enemy; knowing one's strengths and weaknesses; understanding the physical environment; and the importance of maintaining morale among the troops.

If OSH practitioners are to be more aligned with the business world, this is a great place to start.

The text reveals that smart thinking, strong leadership and clever management of resources provide a solid foundation for success.

Using a metaphorical lens, seeing "combat" and "enemy" as synonyms for risk and accidents, and viewing the workforce as your army, you can use the book as a guide to improving workplace protection.

In the first chapter, Laying plans, Sun Tzu reminds us of the importance of good leadership: "The leader of armies is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or peril-¦ The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources".

The book underlines the importance of culture: "We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country". On technical knowledge: "He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents [here, think 'risks'] is sure to be captured by them." The reader is reminded of the value of critical thinking: "Ponder and deliberate before you make a move".

But it's the lessons on people that are perhaps the most salient: "The sight of men whispering together or speaking in subdued tones points to dissatisfaction amongst the rank and file." And: "Carefully study the wellbeing of your men and do not overtax them."

There are even reminders on innovation and continuous improvement: "Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the variety of circumstances".

If you are ready to wage war on workplace risk and ensure that your army returns safely at the end of the day, Art of War provides an excellent treatise on thinking carefully before deploying your forces.

A timeless text, and highly recommended before you write your next battle plan.

Topics
Opinion

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Latest Jobs

Health, Safety and Environmental Systems Administrator

Plymouth
£25000 - £30000 per annum + Excellent Benefits
Reference
5452813

Interim Health and Safety Manager

Norwich
Up to £375.00 per day
Reference
5452812

Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Advisor

City of Westminster
Up to £50000 per annum + Car & Excellent Benefits
Reference
5452811
See all jobs »

Today's top reads

Sign up for regular e-alerts

Receive the latest news and features, free to your inbox

Sign up

Subscribe to IOSH magazine

Receive the print edition straight to your door

Subscribe
IOSH Covers
​
FOLLOW US
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel +44 (0)20 7880 6200
​

IOSH

About IOSH
Become a member
IOSH Events
MyIOSH

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to IOSH magazine
Write for IOSH magazine

IOSH Magazine

Health
Safety
Management
Skills
IOSH Jobs

© 2023 IOSH • IOSH is not responsible for the content of external sites

ioshmagazine.com and IOSH Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ