The hidden art of strategy

Thirukkural with the Times explores real-world lessons from the classic Tamil text ‘Thirukkural’. Written by Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, the Kural consists of 1,330 short couplets of seven words each. This text is divided into three books with teachings on virtue, wealth, and love and is considered one of the great works ever on ethics and morality. The Kural has influenced scholars and leaders across social, political, and philosophical spheres.

Motivational speaker, author and diversity champion Bharathi Bhaskar explores the masterpiece.

Life is a grand, unpredictable game. And in this game, strategy is not optional—it is survival. And at the heart of every great strategy lies one powerful ability – the art of reading others.

Be it a chessboard or a boardroom, the first move toward mastery is watching for subtle rhythms people unknowingly adopt.

One of my favourite illustrations of this is from a classic Vadivelu comedy. He disguises himself in an array of costumes, yet his friends recognize him instantly. Exasperated, he asks, "How did you know it was me?" Their answer is simple: “You forgot to hide your trademark beehive hair.” ( Mandayile irukkara kondaya maraikala!)

And isn’t that true for us all? No matter how clever the mask, our patterns betray us.

Consider tennis in the 1990s. A young, fiery Boris Becker stunned audiences with his serves—earning the nickname Boom Boom Becker. When he first clashed with Andre Agassi, a master of returns, Becker triumphed easily in the first three matches.

But soon, something changed.

In their next eleven matches, Agassi won nine times. Years later, Agassi revealed the secret. After the losses, he started watching all of Becker’s matches obsessively and noticed that just before serving, Becker would subtly stick out his tongue. If it pointed right, the serve would follow suit, and vice versa.

Agassi saved it for the pivotal moments—break points, set points—when it mattered most. The result? Becker felt, almost eerily, like Agassi could read his mind. When Agassi disclosed the truth post retirement, Becker could only laugh in disbelief.

In the game of life, we’re always playing with and against others. Reading them doesn’t just give us an edge—it prepares us.

There’s an African saying: “If you wish to catch a rat, think like a rat.” Strategy isn’t only about planning. It’s the subtle art of reading your opponent’s motives, not just their moves. Their fears. Their hopes.

The Japanese have a word for this— Yomi.

In the business world, Yomi has worked wonders. Consider the curious case of the ‘new Coke’. In the 1980s, Coca-Cola introduced a new formula with a different taste. Thousands of customers wrote letters of complaint. Eventually, the company “listened” and reintroduced the original Coke.

Sales soared.

Some industry veterans still believe it was all part of a larger plan. Coca-Cola knew taking something away would reignite affection for it. If true, this wasn’t a product failure—it was strategic brilliance.

Even Thiruvalluvar, centuries ago, revered this gift. In Thirukkural, he writes:

Aiyap Padaadhu Agaththu Unarvaanai

Theyvaththodu Oppak Kolal.

Kural 701

He who, without raising doubt, can sense what lies hidden in another’s heart—
He is equal to the divine.

The greatest strategists are not always the loudest or the boldest. They are the ones who quietly listen, observe, and understand. They hide their beehive hair. They watch for the tongue’s direction. They think like rats to catch them. And in doing so, they play not just the game, but the minds behind it.

So, the next time you find yourself at the crossroads, pause. Observe the patterns. Listen to the silence between the words. In that moment, you will see not just the obvious, but what is hidden —that will lead you to your next move.

Then you will fight, with the power of being a part of your opponent’s mind.