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When interpreting Sun Tzu’s second fundamental factor, “heaven” as climate or weather, I had advocated taking an abstract view to go beyond physical climate of “winter’s cold, summer’s heat.” Thus, when applied to an organization, having a conducive climate will certainly ensure success.

As for the second fundamental factor, Sun Tzu defines: “By heaven, I mean the working of natural forces; the effects of winter’s cold and summer’s heat and the conduct of military operations according to the seasons.”

Let us explore further Sun Tzu’s first fundamental factor: “By moral law, I mean that which causes the people to be in total accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him in life and unto death without fear for their lives and undaunted by any peril.”

As I had previously highlighted, Sun Tzu’s military treatise begins with “The Art of War is of vital importance to the State” and he urges it to be seriously studied. “State” refers to organization, community, or just the individual.

In a world where competition is fierce and challenges are ever-evolving, ancient wisdom can offer surprisingly relevant insights. Master Khoo Kheng Hor, Malaysia’s most prolific author on Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, has dedicated decades to applying these age-old principles to modern business, management, and personal life.