“As I have had more experience in shaping the strategy of an organization, it has become clearer to me that the more we understand about tactics, the more flexibility we have to set new strategic directions. [...] Tactical development enriches strategic thought.”

— Douglas A. Johnson

 “The skillful tactician may be likened to a snake that is found in the ChUng mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both.”

— Sun Tzu

Second in a three-part series on moving from activity, to tactics, to strategy.

So what makes a good tactician? In today’s piece, I’ll tell you some features of a good tactical mind and provide a couple analogies about areas where you, as a learning tactician, can concentrate your skills. But let me start with a little story.