Application example of strategy "create something out of nothing"

True story.
Some people I know had an idea to build an "evening school" that would teach kids some extra math and physics - they felt that the public school doesn't do the job.
They needed external financial help to support this non-profit project. They have found a small town where one of the mayor's clerks promised to help with the grants from the mayor's office and maybe a place for the classes.
In a short while, it became clear that the clerk wants to steal the leadership of the project - because "he is the one" since he will bring the money.
To fend off the attack, the actual head of the project contacted officials in another town and in the next project's meeting revealed that the project is no more constrained to one town but has become "global". In these "new" circumstances the clerk couldn't claim the leadership since his influence was local and his importance for the project on the global scale was zero. He gave up - without fight! Of no less importance - he had no problem to continue with the project - since there was no open argument that he lost!. So he brought in the very important help that he promised - for some much lesser benefits then heading the project.

Note, that the "global image" was created out of nothing - by mere call or two to another town officials that haven't really promised anything.
Yet, it was enough to fend off the attack that otherwise would be difficult to defend against - he had a strong position, both money-wise and due to manipulation of the project's participants.

Strategy: "create something out of nothing"

This is one of the original 36 Chinese stratagems.
The idea is to use a trick or an illusion.
An illusion may come in a form of something incomplete - just a shell.

Strategy use examples:
Example 1.

Application example of strategy "let him have it and regret!"

Here is a real story.
A couple has bought an apartment, which they intended to let the in-laws live in for a while. The father-in-law, being a big boss in the past, decided to take active part in the refurbishment process.

So, the father-in-law - hyperactive but in total disconnect from reality - started driving his son-in-law nuts with "I want that" and "why don't they change this", etc. etc. After two weeks of daily arguments and fighting the absurd proposals and requirements of the father-in-law, the younger guy decided the he has had enough!

After a long night up and thinking he came next day to his father-in-law and said the following: "You know what, I give up. From now on - you decide. You say - me do!"
The old guy went "err...WHAT?!". He wanted the adrenalin of the action but not the burden of checking the feasibility, prices and etc. And after realizing that he will have to do that AND will be responsible for the results he immediately backed off: "No-no-no you decide! I do not know, and I do not understand enough...! You decide!". From that moment on, it was enough to ask "do you want to make the decision?" to bring him to his senses!

The young guy was shocked - in less then a minute of "non-direct" approach he has achieved what he couldn't get in two weeks of daily yelling and shouting!

Strategy: "let him have it and regret!"

When somebody pushes you, he leans on you and uses you as a support. If you suddenly remove that support - by seemingly letting him "win" - this actually makes him crash and "lose"!

Here is an example of martial arts application of the principle:

In the video - the attacked "falls back" under the pressure of the push, and rolls backwards while flipping the attacker in the air. The attacker crashes on his back hurting like hell! And giving you time to rise and take control - like here.
There is a whole set of such techniques in martial arts which are called sometimes "sacrifice techniques".

This idea can be used also on a not-physical level in a conflict - abruptly cease the resistance, while guiding the attacker into the "crash".

Pitfall: Be careful not to simply give in!

Strategy use examples:
Example 1 - at work.
Example 2 - at home.

What do I want to do here?

My wish is to create a collection of examples how the "strategic thinking" can be used in the conflicts and situations of everyday life.
There are many books on military strategy. There are books on how military strategy can be applied to business.
Yet, I think, the area where most conflicts occur - our daily routine - is not "widely" (an understatement here) covered by the books or our education.

Most of the daily conflicts are resolved/won by "head-on" approach - which is, "choose the right answer":
- not smart?
- burns lots of energy?
- if you are in a weaker position - you loose?
- causes damage to all involved?

I will try here to give examples of military strategies or martial techniques and their concrete applications to conflicts. With time I hope this blog will grow into a compilation that covers the 36 Chinese stratagems, some strategies and basic principles from Sun Tzu and techniques from martial arts. Wish me luck!