Great Conquerors: Genghis Khan

Hello Enlightened Readers, 

What do you know about Genghis Khan, the horseriding conqueror? Most people know him for decimating armies and laying waste to cities. A man so strategically gifted that he managed to bring empires across Asia to their knees with an army he created from undisciplined horseriders and goat herders. Historically, many considered him to be a punishment by God because of his unstoppable success. While all of this is quite fascinating, the most valuable yet unrecognized knowledge we can learn from “God’s punishment” is about empire building.

In this edition of Great Conquerors, we will delve into the historiography of Genghis Khan to explain how he used diplomacy and adaptability to forge the Mongol empire and what we can apply from that.

Diplomacy:

Genghis Khan built the foundation of the Mongol empire through alliances. He strategically established them, often with potential rivals, to strengthen his position. Marrying into tribes, forging partnerships, and creating a meritocratic system, Khan ensured loyalty and diversified his army's skill set. This strategy not only consolidated his power but also minimized resistance.

The Value:

Networking! The pursuit of building an interconnected web of people who you can trust and gain support from. To network, go out into the world and talk to people and build friendships. Or, if you are within an organization, then think about this strategically. What are your goals in this organization? Who would help you get there? What value does each person in your organization have? How can you create a steadfast web of people who would assist you on your mission? When it comes to pursuing any goals in a human system, the creation of a network is incredibly helpful.

Adaptability
One of Genghis Khan's greatest strengths was his adaptability. From adopting the powerful Mongol composite bow for open plains combat to quickly learning siege warfare for capturing cities, Khan showcased a remarkable ability to evolve his tactics in response to new challenges. This evolving adaptability is what ensured the empire’s expansion when faced with daunting and unique situations.

The Value:

Assume formlessness to become fully adaptable to any challenge. Adaptability requires a fluid sense of self which is not attached to any form. This formlessness, however, is easier explained than achieved. To become formless, you need to practice mindfulness and separate yourself from your thoughts. Therefore, you become unaffected personally by negative experiences and feel much more relaxed. Repeatedly practicing mindfulness leads to you achieving a blissful conscious state which can adapt to any situation without negative thoughts or hesitation. I recommend you read the Power of Now and read about mindfulness to better understand.

Next Edition Teaser:
Julius Caesar: The Power of Charisma & Taking Risks. Dive deep into Rome's most famous general’s strategies and learn how to apply them in today's world.