6. So, the student of war who is unversed in the art of varying his plans, even though he be acquainted with the Five Advantages, will fail to make the best use of his men.

治兵不知九變之術雖知五利不能得人之用矣

Sun Tzu

A student of war who is not skilled in changing their plans, even if they are knowledgeable about the Five Advantages, will not be able to effectively use their men in battle. Sun Tzu is emphasizing the importance of flexibility and adaptability in warfare. He is saying that even if a person has knowledge of the Five Advantages, which are likely strategies or tactics that are advantageous in battle, they will not be able to use these advantages effectively if they are unable to adapt to changing circumstances and come up with new plans as needed.

A leader who is unable to adapt their strategy, even if they are knowledgeable about their industry's competitive advantages, will fail to make the most of their team's potential.

A leader who is unable to adapt their strategy may struggle to achieve success in today’s fast-paced and constantly-changing business environment. In order to succeed, a leader must be able to identify and capitalize on opportunities as they arise, and to respond quickly and effectively to challenges and threats. This requires the ability to think on one’s feet, to come up with new ideas and plans, and to adjust one’s approach as needed. A leader who is unable to adapt their strategy, even if they are knowledgeable about their industry’s competitive advantages, may find that they are unable to keep up with the competition and that their team is unable to reach its full potential.

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