故善攻者敵不知其所守善守者敵不知其所攻
Sun Tzu
A successful military commander is one who is able to anticipate and outmaneuver their opponent by not allowing them to predict their next move. In other words, the key to victory in battle is to keep the enemy off balance and unsure of what to expect, both in terms of attack and defense. This allows the commander to maintain the initiative and keep their opponent on the back foot, making it more difficult for them to mount an effective response.
The skillful leader will compete where the competition least expects them to, and is skilled in defense by hiding their vulnerabilities.
A successful entrepreneur or executive is one who is able to outmaneuver their competitors by staying one step ahead of them. This might involve launching a new product or service before the competition, or finding new ways to market and promote the company’s offerings. The key is to keep the competition guessing and unsure of what to expect, which can give the entrepreneur or executive a strategic advantage. Additionally, it can be helpful to anticipate and prepare for potential threats or challenges from the competition, in order to stay ahead of the game and maintain a strong position in the market.