On Initiative

From Zanecorpwiki

To seize the initiative means to take control of an area of overlap. Where concerns do not overlap, there is no initiative to take. Effort in these areas confuses partners and dissipates one's own energy.

There are generally three possibilities. The first is no overlap. This means the parties have no overlapping concerns.

The second is partial overlap. In this, each party has overlapping and non-overlapping concerns. Initiative exists only in the areas of overlap. Do not waste time in an uncontested area and avoid contesting when there is no advantage thereby. Concentrate efforts in the area of overlap.

The final possibility is when one of the sets is a subset of the other. This means there is either complete agreement or one set of concerns is focused within a larger set of concerns. The best outcome for both parties is when the focused concerns take initiative. Only when the narrow concern is unable or inferior--despite the advantage of concentration--should the broader concern take the lead within the area of focus. The two are ideally equals at the boundary.