Decoding The Thirty-Six Stratagems with Kaihan Krippendorff

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Nov 25, 2023

Renowned Columbia Business School expert and OutThinker Network's founder, Kaihan Krippendorff, decodes The Thirty-Six Stratagems in this fascinating podcast. He uncovers strategic brilliance in historical military geniuses and reveals how these ancient principles can be applied to negotiations, mergers, and more. The podcast explores concepts like Yin Yang Polarity, Wu Wei, and Leveraging Power, providing a comprehensive toolkit for creative thinking and gaining a competitive edge.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

Yin Yang Holarity and the Importance of Balance

03:05 • 26min

The Story of Sony Forgetting Their Origins and Missing Out on Disruption

29:02 • 3min

The Trap of Success and Resistance to Change

31:55 • 3min

Feign Madness or Keep Your Balance

34:51 • 9min

The Strategy of Leveraging Power

44:05 • 11min

Indirect Action and the Unorthodox Path in Strategy

54:50 • 5min

"Strategic Mastery Unveiled: Decoding The Thirty-Six Stratagems with Prof. Kaihan Krippendorff"

Description: Explore the fascinating world of strategic thinking with Professor Kaihan Krippendorff, a renowned Columbia Business School expert and OutThinker Network's founder. In this enlightening 4-part podcast series, Prof. Krippendorff delves into the timeless wisdom of The Thirty-Six Stratagems, an ancient Chinese text offering a toolkit for creative thinking in various contexts.

Uncover the strategic brilliance of historical military geniuses like Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, and Napoleon Bonaparte, who achieved victories through strength and creativity. Prof. Krippendorff shares how The Thirty-Six Stratagems, a compilation of metaphors, provides a comprehensive vocabulary of competition, unveiling unexpected plans for success in negotiations, mergers, and more since 2003.

In Part 1, explore the origin story of The Thirty-Six Stratagems and gain insights into the first four laws, including the powerful concept of Yin Yang Polarity. Discover how embracing balance and complexity can give your business a competitive edge.

Part 2 delves into Wu Wei, or "going with the flow," as Prof. Krippendorff shares real-world applications of the first fourteen stratagems. Learn to catch your competitors off-guard, stage small attacks for strategic insights, and seize opportunities in moments of apparent weakness.

Part 3 introduces Wu Chang, emphasizing the importance of continuous change. Understand the difference between Eastern and Western views of change and explore how companies like Qualcomm, Whole Foods, and Walmart make decisions that lead to initial losses but set the stage for future victories.

Finally, in Part 4, delve into Shang Bing Wu Bing, the art of indirect action. Prof. Krippendorff unravels the mysteries behind the last seven stratagems, revealing how companies like Legend (Lenovo), Logitech, and others have strategically navigated alliances, created facades, and leveraged indirect actions for success.

Join us on this strategic journey as we unlock the secrets of The Thirty-Six Stratagems and apply ancient wisdom to modern business challenges. Don't miss this enlightening series that promises to reshape your approach to strategy and innovation. Subscribe now for a masterclass in strategic thinking!

Find Kaihan here:

https://kaihan.net/