The 36 Stratagems

A collection of tactical principles from Chinese military and political history, organized into six categories of six: for winning positions, confrontation, attack, confused situations, gaining ground, and desperate situations. Examples: 'Cross the sea by deceiving the sky' (hide actions in plain sight through routine), 'Kill with a borrowed knife' (use third parties), 'Remove the firewood from under the pot' (eliminate root causes). The final stratagem — 'If all else fails, retreat' — acknowledges withdrawal as strategic. Together they provide a vocabulary for recognizing and executing tactical patterns.

When to use it

When engaged in competitive dynamics needing tactical options. When trying to understand an opponent's strategy by recognizing their pattern. When direct confrontation is unwise and indirect approaches are needed. When analyzing strategic successes and failures for transferable lessons.

How it can help

This gives a strategic pattern library for competitive situations. When a competitor moves, identify which stratagem they're executing and respond accordingly. Knowledge workers can recognize organizational politics patterns — someone 'borrowing a knife' by using your boss. Entrepreneurs can select competitive tactics rather than defaulting to direct confrontation. The greatest value is defensive: recognizing when stratagems are being used against you.