Our framework Model Thinking, which we will briefly discuss in the first talk, offers an important basis for properly understanding what strategy truly entails. Conversely, the works of Sun Tzu and Carl von Clausewitz provide frameworks and concepts for building adequate strategic models in today’s world, increasingly shaped by global competition and conflict. This talk builds a bridge between these two worlds.

Sun Tzu and Clausewitz are two of the most influential figures in strategic thinking, but their work is specifically focused on war. While the theme of war does not occupy the central focus of the talk, war represents a state of extremes in which our beliefs, assumptions and models are severely put to the test. In such situations, the cost of being wrong is extraordinarily high — something that has become again clear again in current global events.

The theme of war therefore offers a powerful didactic lens and a strong sense of realism to start questioning whether our models in other domains — such as in business, social settings, education, or the management of well-being — truly hold. Our view is that, in many cases, they do not. Based on this realization, we can begin building truly resilient practical frameworks and strategies, as we will demonstrate during the session. In particular, our Health Risk Management framework will receive special focus in the second talk of the event.