The other day I read on the history of the Mongolian Empire to assist my daughter with a school project.
Have you every asked the question why the Mongolian Empire was such a force to reckon with?
It was not by accident that they conquered over the 24 000 000 square kilometers of land.
Genghis Khan was the Mongol leader that brought that change about in the 12th century.
How did he do it?
Could you learn and apply any of his strategies to unleash your personal performance and business success?
Review and apply or rekindle some of these tactics in your life today. It is not easy to be a conqueror of any degree without the pain and hard work that goes with it. But it is attainable – and it all starts with a choice. If it were determined by your age, sex, race, upbringing or circumstances the story of Genghis Khan’s life would have been a myth and your life only a dream with reality of continued failure.
Here are the strategies that brought about the extraordinary history on a leader of the world’s second largest empire
- The Mongol battlefield tactics were a combination of:
- Masterful training
- Excellent communication
- Discipline in the chaos of combat
Ensure you become a master of your craft. Challenges sometimes look chaotic but with the discipline and diligence you can face the music.
With all the skills and discipline it will be impossible to produce your best results without communication. Start with yourself. What does your self-talk communicate to you? Your daily affirmations should set the tone for success not disaster.
It all starts with a Proverb – “ guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life”
- They trained for virtually every possibility
Prepare yourself for the unseen. Plan your course and consider the consequences.
Most important with this strategy in the world we live in and at the speed things change, is to train your brain.
Long lasting functional changes in the brain occur when we learn new things or memorize new information. It’s your responsibility to stay on top of your game and to be creative.
Creativity brings new and imaginative ideas into reality. But you have to be willing to take risks and progress through discomfort to get to the ultimate result.
- Their training and discipline allowed them to fight without the need for constant supervision
You are accountable for your life. Be your own supervisor. Don’t put the keys of your happiness and success into someone else pocket.
Allow yourself and your team to work with intent to develop and grow. The best results are obtained from people who feel valued and are living their purpose.
Teach yourself to be diligent.
- Mongol commanders found the highest ground available – for the best view, to make tactical decisions
Give yourself the best advantage. Step back and get the big picture view on where you are and where you want to go.
Make your decisions from a place of rest and emotional autonomy.
“To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction” – Stephen Covey
- The Mongols regarded their leaders as a vital asset
Recognize and respect yourself, your leaders and others as vital assets. An asset is an item that is expected to yield a benefit. Protect your assets with due care – build and protect trustworthy relationships.
Start today to regard others as a vital asset – live with a servant heart.
Having a servant’s heart means to not only put other’s needs ahead of our own, but to serve with the right motivation.
Be a leader, a vital asset to others in your world – at home, in business or your community.
- Mongols carefully scouted out and spied on their enemies
Be vigilant and attentive to obstacles. Carefully determine what is obstructing your progress. The Mongols sometimes diverted rivers to cut off the supplies to the cities.
What could you do differently to overcome your obstacles?
- The Mongols used psychological warfare
They spread terror and fear to cities through various tactics. Terror and fear will also destroy your potential to fight if you allow it.
“The beautiful thing about fear is when you run to it, it runs away” – Robin Sharma
Your faith will give you the opposite psychological benefits. It’s your responsibility to change your thoughts. Your success and progress are not determined by your circumstances but your reaction thereto.
- Mongols adapted various tactics from other armies
The Mongols used tactics and counsel from enemies they have caught.
“For by wise counsel you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety” – Prov 24:6
Ensure that your strategy include input from coaches, counselors or mentors to stretch yourself to your greatest performance yet.