Philosophy of Good Leader

Sun Zi’s philosophy-Chapter 3: Strategic Attacks

A part of Chapter 3 focuses on the five positive traits of good leader.

Sun Zi said: He who knows when he can engage in battle and when not to do so will win. –Line 3.45

The philosophy above states that a good leader must have strong sense of timing. In order to beat the company’s position among competitors, Benoît Potier, CEO of Air Liquide gave importance to innovation. In 2013, he performs the innovation process by creating strong structures that operate as a network. Air Liquide also made progress in new markets and technologies, including the set-up of the world’s largest helium production unit in Qatar. The new steps in hydrogen energy include the opening of the first hydrogen filling station for forklift trucks in France. This shows Air Liquide manager has a good sense of timing in anticipating innovation to serve society better.

Sun Zi said: He who understands how to deploy large and small forces (according to the battle situation) will win. – Line 3.46

The philosophy above explains that a good leader must have good management skills to be able to deploy different types and sizes of business. Air Liquide faces the challenges of its markets, invests locally and globally and delivers high-quality satisfaction to its customers and patients, and the scientific community. It has a wide range of business from industry, healthcare, electronics, engineering & construction, welding & diving and science. The CEO significantly is able to manage each business which varies from each other. For example, industrial merchant supplies a wide range of different application equipment, gases and services to industries of all sizes which require variable quantities, distribution in bulk (liquid form) or in cylinders (gaseous form).

Sun Zi said: He who is able to unite himself with his officers and men as one mind, spirit and purpose will win. – Line 3.47

The above philosophy mentions that a leader must be sincere and trustworthy. He or she must be able to unite his partners and officers. Air Liquide makes effort to be responsible in the way it responds to them. Benoît Potier, Chairman and CEO create relationships with his employees, customers, partners and shareholders in which they are connected. For example, the Board members were attentive to preparations for the Investor Day in 2013, which brought together both individual shareholders and institutional investors. The Board contributed to the gathering which is a major important in a company’s life business. The CEO says that a high performing organization is always connected to its environment, markets, customers, partners and shareholders in which there are 50,000 employees serve more than two million customers and patients around the world.

Sun Zi said: He who is proactive and well-prepared and awaits his unprepared enemy will win. – Line 3.48

The philosophy above states a leader must be proactive to seize opportunities for business. Air Liquide’s CEO implement strategy to build profitable growth over the long term. Over the 2011-2015 periods the group expects average annual growth outperforming between +1% and +2% the average annual growth forecast for the industrial gases market (Profitable growth over the long term , 2013). For example, new needs and uses for mobility and digitization have covered the entire globe which opens new market for Air Liquide’s customers. The development of semiconductors that have more computing power results in higher demand for their new molecules, called advanced precursors. This reorganization will enable them to seize opportunities for growing the stem from society’s increasing appetite for innovation.  

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