Erroneous commitment develops as a situation in which all the information leading up to the actualization of a decision is either incomplete or is biased due to the needs of special interest groups or disparate forces competing for recognition. It usually incorporates the ignoring of real requirements of the masses involved with the outcome of such a commitment.
As a result, and without any other explanation that will eventually offer any number of excuses for or against the current condition and state of affairs, the outcome must be one of failure or, at best, a Pyrrhic victory. Therefore, it is doomed to fail regardless of the alibis that are levied after the fact or the setting of blame based on past circumstances. Without due diligence on the part of the decision maker and his associates or cohorts, it cannot be accepted that inordinate power will make things right. It is the intelligent use of power—large or small—that prevails. The extent of the authority of the power can be more influential if there is a belief in the necessity of the project by the people who will be governed by the outcome. This power does not have to be military strength, and this has been evidenced throughout history by many of the ”profound” armies of intended conquest. Even Genghis Khan crapped out.
A word “from” the wise. If you are going to promote an onslaught for any reason that you permit your office of authority to deem a need, then it is essential that you do not lie to your people. Deceive them, perhaps, but never lie. It will eventually lead to the demise of your control of the realm; because, unless the masses are totally stupid, they will know your reasons as false and will not trust in your leadership. All they really want are “bread and blankets.” You cannot change the minds of thinking people, although you may be able to control the masses as lemmings. The thinkers in your domain will also realize the difficulty of challenging your authority in the midst of conflict. It will be that much more difficult for a new leader to rectify your rash and foolish behavior based on your own insecurity regardless of whom you may presume to have had as your advisors. This is the basis of a coup.
When using aspects of the Art of War for your personal development, it is crucial that you constantly study the tenets presented therein. Erroneous commitment occurs when superficial understanding of an idea is used to promote your own integrity. As previously mentioned, actualization of a decision based on incomplete or biased thought can only create dissension in your own camp.
©SFK
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