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The Eight Key Concepts of Martial Arts Leadership #1 – Courage

Greetings!

In this, the first blog in a series of 8 that will focus on the 8 Key Concepts of Martial Arts Leadership, we’ll discuss the Concept of ‘Yong Ki’, or ‘brave energy’.  Loosely, this is interpreted in the Western world as ‘courage’.  However, as we delve into the many applications of ‘Yong Ki’, we find that it is a total involvement of the Leader’s character and commitment.

To begin with, Yong is Brave. Bravery carries many connotations…jumping from an airplane, staring down a snarling dog and so on. However, brave, in this sense, is a state. A state of being strong, confident and secure in your thoughts, vision and action. It is taking risks (without the foolish possible losses of a reckless act), and maintaining the fortitude to see it through.

Ki is Energy. Ki, to the western mind, is a simple concept. In Asian cultures, Ki is such a complex and intrinsic way of living that it is difficult to comprehend for non-Asian people. When Yong and Ki are combined, it results in a total consumption of Brave Energy in all areas of life. You either ARE a brave person, or you’re not. Brave energy courses through your being, never to be confused or mis-interpreted by others. When engaging others in discussion, you will speak truths (this can be done in a gentle way!) and in so doing, serve others with no fear of hurting them. Truth always serves, as we will discuss in a future post. And it takes tremendous courage to be truthful.

When faced with difficult, challenging and sometimes painful decisions, the leader who has Yong Ki in their character will make the correct choices, and always result in the best outcomes.

Here’s to beginning, or strengthening, your Yong Ki in all your actions and interactions.

Best always,

Phillip Bartolacci
http://www.8KeyConcepts.com
pbartolacci@outlook.com

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The Eight Key Concepts of Black Belt Leadership #4 – Humility

Greetings!

This is the fourth in a series of 8 blogs detailing the 8 Key Concepts of Black Belt Leadership. Lessons on leadership from the martial arts date back over 2,000 years, and are just as applicable today as they were then.

This installment focuses on the concept of Kyum Son, or Humility. It is easy to confuse humility with weakness, however, it as a true sign of strength to show humility. You must be confident in your own abilities, while acknowledging the abilities of others. In the style of martial arts that I study, Moo Duk Kwan, the highest belt attained is actually NOT a Black Belt. It is midnight blue. We use the term Black Belt because it is commonly accepted and recognized. However, we feel that black represents the presence of all knowledge (black is black… there isn’t a light black or a medium black… just black), so we use a dark blue color to represent ‘Humility’. We’re not perfect. We can always learn more. We know that we are finite in our skill, knowledge and intellect. There will always be someone smarter, faster, stronger. That is the beauty of the human existence.

How does this relate to Leadership? Simply this way: Lead with humility and you will have many followers. Lead without humility and you will have employees. Workers. Those who show up to do a job and get a paycheck. When you lead with humility, you naturally and deeply care about the success of everyone. You recognize their strengths. You encourage their risk-taking, knowing that is how people grow. And yes, they may outgrow you and your Company. This should be celebrated and welcome.

When the Humble Leader has a follower (employee) that leaves for better opportunities, this is a grand compliment to the Leader. It says, “you have taught me well. Thank you!” I realize it is not the responsibility of a Leader to continually provide for associates’ or employees’ growth, but it is difficult to be a Leader and NOT have your ‘juniors’ grow.

When we bow in the martial arts, the student bows to the teacher… not out of deference, but out of respect for his/her past. The teacher also bows to the student… not to appear equal or subservient, but to say, through this simple act, “I respect your future”. Imagine the output you could gain if you surrounded yourself with followers… knowing that as they develop knowledge, abilities and human relationship skills they may leave you. If they do, great… I’m sure in the interim they provided you with most outstanding service. If they don’t… you are stronger. In either case, you have won!

Look for opportunities to lead with humility today. Apply this act to your workplace, your home and in your community service. You will be amazed at the results!

Yours in Kyum Son…

Phillip Bartolacci

Creating Black Belt Leaders since 1981!

Lead like a Black Belt! The Eight Key Concepts of Martial Arts Leadership – #3 Endurance

This is the third installment focusing on the 8 Key Concepts of Martial Arts Leadership.  In this article, we will concentrate our discussion on ‘In Neh’, loosely translated as ‘endurance’ or ‘patience’.

‘In’ means a person.  ‘Neh’ means inside.  When the terms combine, they represent ‘what’s inside a person’… it’s primarily a character trait, not a physical trait.  When we hear the term ‘endurance’, it is easy to ascribe a physical sense to it.  We can also stretch a bit to include a reference to a mental state (“I can endure this pressure a bit more”, etc.).  However, it’s the long-term sense of endurance that is indicated.  We endure on a path strewn with challenges, difficulties, highlights, successes, failures, etc.

We also practice ‘patience’.  The Chinese characters ‘In Neh’ are written in such a fashion that the edge of a blade is resting next to a person’s heart.  Any sudden, improper motion can send the sharp blade slicing through the heart, causing substantial damage or even death.  By having a contemplative nature, by assessing all options, by being aware of the danger of an improper action we become better decision-makers.  Imagine having a blade pressed against your heart, and you’re allowed one movement.  Imagine the desire you would have of taking the time necessary to ensure that your actions are controlled, measured and will result in an intact heart.  My guess is you would take an extreme amount of time in deciding which motions available to you provide the best outcome.

Leadership is no different.  Every action of a Leader could be painful if not measured and considered.  Every decision could result in extreme success or extreme failure.  If you live your life understanding the value of your decisions, you will take more time with each one.  This is not to suggest that you over-think each decision… action is a necessary tool.  However, when coupled with Leadership Concepts #1 (Yong Ki – Bravery) and #2 (Chung Shin Tong Il – Concentration), you will be able to quickly assign the appropriate actions necessary to have a successful result.

Picture yourself taking brave action, not making mistakes and ensuring that those actions are the correct ones.  This is the beginning of a Leader who is at peace with all of his/her decisions.  This is the picture that is available to you as you continually align your decision-making with the 8 Key Concepts.  I do hope you’re on the way to achieving Black Belt Leadership in your thoughts and actions!

Best regards,

Phillip Bartolacci

The Eight Key Concepts of Martial Arts Leadership – #2 Focus/Concentration

Greetings!

This is the second in a series of eight blogs on becoming a Black Belt Leader.  We’ll discuss the concept of ‘concentration’ or ‘focus’.  The term is ‘Chung Shin Tong Il’, with the meaning of each word collectively becoming ‘concentration’.  ‘Chung’ is centered or central thought.  ‘Shin’ represents spirit or of a spiritual nature.  ‘Tong’ is heavenly or of great importance.  Finally, ‘Il’ is one or singular governing thought.  As you can see, when you have a defined, valuable, important thought, governed by a principle, it is nearly impossible to ignore.  The challenge for a leader appears when he or she is not able to clearly define that vision or goal.  Once that happens, the members of your team or group will more easily connect to it.

What are the challenges to Concentration or Focus?  Well, they are numerous, they are constant and, most importantly, they are sneaky.  Numerous?  Certainly.. they could be small (phone calls, office distractions, etc.) or large (supplier problems, technology issues or more), but they are there.  Constant in the sense that they are a part of our daily life.  The distractions of family, of politics, of bright and shiny objects glinting in the distance all surround us.   Sneaky?  Sure!  They happen so quickly, quietly and in such innocuous fashion, you don’t even see them as distractions. Some sample in-office distractions, and how they affect us, are:

  • Doing more than one task simultaneously
  • Constant interruptions by coworkers and phones
  • High frequency of interruptions (one interruption every five to 15 minutes)
  • High noise levels in the working environment

We can all relate to the above distractions, but what is their quantitative effect on our performance?

  • Forgetting the as-left conditions: 45%
  • Forgetting to return to the original task: 25%
  • Original task out of control during distraction: 17%
  • Not knowing changes after returning to original task: 13%

So, imagine the value if you, as a Leader, were able to create and control environments where your team members (or yourself, for that matter!) can get back on track quickly, effectively and without sacrificing quality of work!  Of course, this example deals with the tactical costs associated with distractions.  But what of the strategic costs IF you (or your team members) lose sight of your vision? What if it took an additional 30% of your resources (time, money and human capital) to get your team back on the track to success?

This is where the power of a focused and concentrated Leadership style pays it’s greatest dividends.   Concentration allows for not only the goal to be clear, but the specific actions necessary to also be defined.  It provides for your intensity to be strong and constant.  It shows in each and every step of your planning and execution.  You’ve seen the intensity of the 2012 London Olympic athletes recently… their extreme focus on the goal, their dedication to practicing over and over and over.  To refining their skills and to honing their movements to the ultimate efficiency and effectiveness.   That is what we should strive for as Leaders… the ability to bring together each and every aspect of our bodies (team members, supporters, suppliers, advisors) to that singular point of excellence and achievement.  A focused, driven path that is governed by one desired outcome. A ‘Chung Shin Tong Il’ of Leadership.

I hope that you can begin to extend or expand your concentration skills, your Chung Shin Tong Il,  as a Black Belt Leader to your team and in your personal governance… the rewards are amazing!

Best always,

Phillip Bartolacci
http://www.CreatingBlackBeltLeaders.com
phillip@PJBartolacci.com