36 Stratagems for Executive Victory: Outsmart, Outmaneuver, and Win Without Fighting

In the high-stakes world of executive leadership, success is rarely achieved through brute force alone. True power comes from subtlety, timing, and the mastery of perception. This exclusive 1-day masterclass unlocks the 36 ancient Chinese stratagems — once relied upon by emperors and generals — and translates them into modern business warfare tools for today’s boardroom. Rooted in the Yijing (I Ching) and integrated with Sun Zi’s Art of War, the programme equips leaders with a practical and philosophical framework to gain unseen advantages, resolve complex challenges, and win decisively without unnecessary confrontation.

Elite Strategic Intelligence for Modern Leaders

Led by Andy Ng — Sinology expert, MBA-trained corporate strategist, and author of Yijing Explained — this course goes beyond theory to reveal how the 36 stratagems can be applied directly to leadership, negotiations, and competitive positioning. Participants will not only learn the meaning behind each stratagem but also master when, where, and how to apply them to secure extraordinary results with minimal effort. By blending timeless wisdom with modern strategic intelligence, Andy empowers executives to sharpen judgment, outmaneuver competition, and achieve victory with elegance and precision.

Objectives: After learning this one-day power-packed course, participants will be able to:

1. Apply the 36 stratagems to real-life business scenarios involving conflict, competition, crisis, and change.
2. Decipher complex situations using Yijing principles: Yin-Yang balance, Wu Wei (Effortless Action), and Indirect Strategy.
3, Lead with silent power—using perception shaping, narrative control, and non-linear influence.
4. Transform crises into opportunities through precise stratagem selection for advantage, confusion, or desperation.
5. Design strategic action plans based on simulated case studies and customized leadership scenarios.

Outline:

Module 1: Strategic Awakening: The Invisible Game of Leadership

The hidden battlefield every leader faces

Why conventional strategy is no longer enough

Module 2: Ancient Intelligence, Modern Victory

Origins and categories of the 36 stratagems

Integration with Yijing: Yin-Yang, Indirectness, Wu Wei, and Sun Tzu Art of War

6 battlefield conditions for strategy selection

Module 3: Stratagem Mastery Block 1: Winning from Strength

12 stratagems when you’re in control

Real-world case: “The Power of #10 – Smile with a Dagger”

Module 4: Stratagem Mastery Block 2: Navigating Uncertainty

12 stratagems for chaotic, shifting, or political conditions

Interactive Stratagem Simulation: Market Takeover Game

Module 5: Stratagem Mastery Block 3: Leading Through Crisis

12 stratagems when you’re cornered or under siege

C-suite case: Turnaround strategy using #36 – Escape as Triumph

Module 6: Application & Integration

Executive Stratagem Selection Grid

5-Ways Profit Intelligence Model

The Art of Leading with Inaction (Wu Wei in Execution)

Module 7: Closing Reflection: The Inner General Awakens

From tactics to transcendence: embodying the Dao of Leadership

The Ultimate of 36 Stratagems: Power of X Factor

Who should attend

Managers, leaders and directors that want to achieve breakthroughs in their career in 2025 and beyond
Professionals, executives, and working people that want to harness the power of strategies of win without fighting
People that that want to know the gist of rich Chinese culture and history in the shortest period of time so as to win without fighting

Methodology

Dynamic talk with stories and humour
Physical exercises including: cut wood with paper, know another person in 3 seconds, lift a person with just 2 fingers, push and pull and try your best
Use of short movie video clips to illustrate complex concepts
Q & A
Reflection and Action Plan by Trainees