“A Not-Too-Good Sun Tsu ” [Reflections on Bk: James K. Van Fleet Conversation Guide. Englewood Cliffs New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc. 1984 - Generally) [Sun Tsu Series - gen]

A closer look, and there it was – my gosh!
Sun Tzu, in fact, though not as wise – he got
His background outlook from his army days;
In civi-biz – that’s not how worker plays.

“Intelligence” and “languages”, at that;
Without the larger view – “Commander Cat”
Amongst the “Mice” – yeah, right, with twisted view;
“So tell me, how’s that working out for you?”

Sun Tzu was all about conducting war; he
His thought adapts to business, and what’s more,
It is perceiver-thought, so principles
Are basis of his work – each article –

Is all about some process-aspect’s flow;
But this guy’s book just doesn’t seem to go
In sequence, with a logic flow at base,
So he wades in and drowns in any case.

First section deals with people – more or less;
His gimmick (soon abandoned) I confess
Has merits – “Listen close for unmet need,
Then fill it – you’ll be blessed, indeed”.

But then, he pulls a fast one – twists the knife,
Engaging “co-dependence” with no fight;
Or even if it’s just “dependency”,
To me it’s better when one sets folks free.

Then he goes on to deal with business sphere –
But at this point his outlook is made clear –
“Give orders” (What?!) Then spells out “How” to act;
Then follows-up with “Why”, adjusting facts.

He could have used an editor (or two),
To help him focus, keep his point of view;
But then again, his insight – was it his?
Or did he hear it elsewhere, like the fizz?

For other things he spells out patiently;
He has not thought through insight thoroughly;
Which makes me think it’s borrowed, then set free,
For us to take, adapt, new uses see.

His insight? “Hear the felt-needs each one shows;
Use that as door into your chat” – who knows –
Perhaps you can excel – share Kingdom-layer
If you pre-thought how needs have answered prayers.

But that’s quite separate from each context-spot,
Like “Home” or “School”, or “Business” – for it’s not
Dependent on each context-driven scope,
But rather, just on people, common folk.

At work or play one’s needs remain the same;
It matters not the context – need’s the game,
For folks are quite obsessed with inner lives –
At work, at home, those self-same workers, wives.

Well, Lord, that saves a pile of time for me –
Can dump the book, then tease out what I need
On Internet, or Sun Tzu’s book itself;
Thanks Lord – I can return this to the shelf.

Thanks Lord for this.

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