Getting the job done under the pressure of competition is the greatest challenge faced by executives. Competitive activities are often accompanied by the need to respond to critical situations which entail significant consequences. Critical situations (i.e., crises) can be caused by unforeseen profit opportunities, by unplanned threats or unrecognized opponents, and by errors in planning or execution. Crises are often accompanied by disruption, uncertainty, and chaos. One of the best models for managing people under the pressure of competition and competitive crises is found in an ancient Chinese textbook on battle. The text, titled The Art of War, was written by General Sun Tzu over 2500 years ago. It has been used by military, political, and business leaders throughout history to succeed in crucial situations where profit and loss are on the line.My author home page is:http://thecompetitiveexecutive.com/