The Science of Strategic Advantage: Leadership Thinking Inspired by Sun Tzu

Timeless Strategy for Modern Leadership

The Art of War, written around the 5th century BC and attributed to the ancient Chinese strategist Sun Zi (孙子), remains one of the most influential works on strategy, leadership and decision-making. While originally focused on warfare, its principles have since been widely applied in modern military, corporate and organisational settings. Its enduring relevance lies in its emphasis on foresight, adaptability, positioning and disciplined leadership — qualities that remain critical in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

Applying Strategic Wisdom to Today’s Business Environment

This course translates the strategic insights of The Art of War into practical applications for contemporary leadership, organisational effectiveness and personal success. Rather than taking a purely historical or cultural approach, the programme focuses on actionable ideas such as strategic thinking, leadership mindset, character development and tactical awareness. Participants will gain fresh perspectives to strengthen decision-making, improve organisational performance and enhance their ability to navigate complex professional challenges.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Practice anticipatory leadership to manage and ideally outcompete others
• Elevate strategic thinking for personal and organizational effectiveness 
• Learn tactics and stratagem to achieve results
• Understand strategically that there is no difference between public, private, NGO and many other organizations
• Be much more aware of the competitive environments
• Enhance skills in influencing others towards higher level of performance
• Do something about your own organization’s strengths and weaknesses
• Proactively stay ahead in a competitive landscape
• Be more practical, with less reliance on dogma, towards desired outcome
• Linking the old and the modern worlds, and learn from them

This is intended for

• All levels of management personnel across organisations
• Professionals in corporate planning and strategy roles
• Sales and marketing leaders and team members
• Human Resource professionals and people managers
• Risk management and governance professionals
• Anyone responsible for leading teams, managing projects or driving organisational initiatives

Learning Methodology

• Online platforms, Third party apps, Internet search activities
• Breakout room activities
• Screen sharing & presentation
• Hands-on exercises
• Group discussions & presentation
• Case studies
• Interactive storytelling / role plays / Commentary on other companies / industries
• Video/photo presentation

“Andrew is a very effective trainer with a lot of great examples to explain concepts. The training class was very engaging and fun” – Catherine Mendez, SAS

“Mr Cheah is knowledgeable in his delivery and is able to explain contents well. His amiable personality is very welcoming and keeps the class entertained.” – Nuraishah Nahat, MHA

“Andrew is able to bring concepts to the simple minds. The concepts are easy to apply. There were no boring moments at all! Totally worth my time!’ – Armida Diano, Qualcomm Global Trading Pte Ltd

“An interactive session. Learnt more about setting correct KPI and managing behaviours” – Ong Shilei, Senior Specialist, HTX

Andrew Cheah – Personal and Organisational Effectiveness Master Trainer

Andrew Cheah is a seasoned trainer and management consultant with over 30 years of experience in performance management, productivity improvement, behavioral change, and leadership. Andrew has successfully trained clients across diverse industries, including banking, insurance, manufacturing, public services, and higher education. His expertise extends across Singapore, the UAE, Malaysia, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Andrew's extensive consultancy work has led to remarkable outcomes, including guiding a client to win the prestigious Malaysian National Productivity Award, presented by former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir. He has shared his insights at global events like the International Conference on Best Practices, where he has spoken alongside industry icons such as Professor Michael Gregory of the University of Cambridge and Dr. Marcus Chao, President of Lean China Enterprise Inc.

Armed with an MBA from the University of Portsmouth, UK, Andrew holds certifications in Blue Ocean Leadership, Leading Dimensions Profiling, and ISO9000 assessment. His dedication to organizational transformation and his proven methodologies make him a trusted partner for driving measurable success in project management.