Trần Hưng Đạo (1213–1300), the legendary Vietnamese military commander who defeated the Yuan-Mongol forces three times, was renowned not just for his battlefield genius but for his ability to identify and recruit extraordinary talent.
From his military treatise Binh Thư Yếu Lược, eight methods for identifying capable commanders:
- Test clarity through questioning
- Probe adaptability with difficult inquiries
- Use trusted messengers to assess loyalty
- Evaluate moral character thoroughly
- Offer valuables to test integrity
- Present attractive opportunities to test restraint
- Create difficult situations to test courage
- Provide alcohol to observe composure
These selection principles apply just as powerfully to modern human resources management.