In difficult ground, press on; In encircled ground, devise stratagems; In death ground, fight.
—Sun Tzu, The Art Of War
Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength. Soldiers in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in the heart of a hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard. Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly on the alert, and without waiting to be asked, they will do your will; without restrictions, they will be faithful; without giving orders, they can be trusted.Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
—Sun Tzu, The Art Of War
Never completely surround an army. Leave an opening.Why? When there is the door to escape, the men to be rushing through it and will not stay to fight. So in reverse, when there is no way to escape, the only way to survive is to fight till victory, then the men will be committed to fighting till death.
—Sun Tzu, The Art Of War, Chapter 7
The concept of “death ground” originates from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, a seminal work on military strategy and tactics written in the 5th century BC. While The Art of War is essentially a military treatise, its principles have been applied to various fields beyond warfare, including business and personal development, due to its insights into strategy, competition, and psychology.
The term “death ground” refers to a situation in which an army or a group finds itself in a position from which there is no escape, and the only option left is to fight with all its might for survival. In such scenarios, the soldiers are believed to fight more fiercely because they are motivated by the basic instinct of survival when faced with the existential threat of annihilation. The concept is rooted in the idea that when people perceive that they have no way out, they will summon unprecedented levels of courage, strength, and resourcefulness to overcome obstacles.
Sun Tzu advises placing one’s troops on “death ground” to ensure they will fight with utmost determination. This is not just about physical positioning but also about creating a psychological state where the soldiers, or people in general, recognize the severity of their situation and the necessity for all-out effort.
Translating this concept into modern non-military applications, “death ground” strategies can be found in business, sports, personal development, and other competitive or high-stakes environments. It’s the idea of creating a situation or mindset where failure is not an option, compelling individuals or teams to leverage their fullest potential to achieve a goal. This could involve setting aggressive deadlines, committing significant resources to a project, or taking bold steps that do not allow for easy retreat, thereby necessitating extraordinary effort and innovation for success.
The psychological underpinning of the “death ground” strategy is related to human motivation and the fight-or-flight response—a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival. In such high-pressure situations, people may access deeper reserves of creativity, perseverance, and resilience.
However, it’s important to note that while the “death ground” strategy can lead to significant breakthroughs and achievements, it also involves high risk. The constant stress and pressure can have negative effects on individuals’ health and well-being, and the potential for significant loss or failure if the effort does not succeed. Thus, its application requires careful consideration of the stakes, the resilience of the team or individual, and the potential costs versus benefits of such an approach.
William Dare 