故善戰者致人而不致於人
Sun Tzu
A clever combatant is able to assert their own will and control over the enemy, while also preventing the enemy from imposing their will on them. This is likely to give the combatant a strategic advantage in battle. The idea is that by imposing one’s own will on the enemy, the combatant can dictate the terms of the engagement and make the enemy act according to their plan, rather than allowing the enemy to dictate the terms and take control of the situation.
A skilled business leader asserts their will on competitors, preventing them from imposing their will on the business.
A skilled business leader is able to assert their own will and control over their competitors, while also preventing their competitors from imposing their will on the business. This could involve setting the terms of competition, such as by offering unique or high-quality products or services, or by making strategic business decisions that give the business a competitive advantage. By imposing their will on the market, the business leader can dictate the terms of competition and make competitors act according to their plan, rather than allowing competitors to dictate the terms and take control of the market. In this way, the business leader can gain a strategic advantage and be better positioned to succeed.