By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army.

The quote from Sun Tzu highlights a fundamental principle of leadership and strategy: the necessity of understanding the capabilities and limits of those one leads. When a commander orders an army to advance or retreat without adequate comprehension of its conditions—morale, readiness, resources, and adaptability—such directives become ineffective, even detrimental. This is what Sun Tzu refers to as "hobbling the army." In essence, it illustrates the danger of disconnected leadership—where decisions are made without a grounded awareness of the realities on the ground. In a modern context, this concept can be applied to various fields, including business, governance, and team management. For instance, a CEO directing a company to pursue an aggressive growth strategy without assessing market conditions, employee capacity, or the organization’s operational readiness risks not just failure but also employee morale. Just as an army cannot advance on depleted supplies, a business cannot thrive under unrealistic expectations. Moreover, the quote emphasizes the importance of communication and insight between leaders and their teams. A successful leader must seek to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their team, much like a general who must evaluate the troops’ readiness before battle. This understanding fosters a more collaborative environment, where strategies are developed based on collective input and realistic assessments. Thus, the wisdom of Sun Tzu’s observation resonates today, reminding leaders to not only articulate their vision but to do so grounded in the reality of their team's capabilities, fostering trust and promoting a sense of shared responsibility. It urges vigilance and adaptability, emphasizing that effective leadership is characterized by informed decision-making that aligns with the strengths and circumstances of the people being led.