The upside of losing

The defeat of the Prussian army by Napoleon gave rise to two strategists: one from the winning side, and the other from the losing side.

Jomini, who served under Napoleon in the French army, was heavily influenced by Napoleon’s successes. The strategic approach Jomini developed focused on how to win by teaching others how to replicate the success of past military campaigns.

Clausewitz was a Prussian officer who became a prisoner for a short time after Prussia’s defeat. It prompted his examination of war in all its aspects. The strategic approach Clausewitz developed focused on how to think by asking the right questions to make better decisions in the context of war.

Jomini’s approach is still respected and discussed in military academies today.

Clausewitz is remembered as one of the greatest military strategists of all time, whose influence extends into political science, history, and business strategy.

Winning and losing both teach valuable lessons, and

Losing often leads to deeper learning.