The globalization process has an impact on all of us and almost everything we do. It impacts the environment and consequently the way organizations are structured, and how teams are led, and managed. People work together and embody a variety of personalities, as well as a range of ways of doing things. A modern leader is supposed to grasp all of it to lead forward and to predict behaviors, but never to give or take offence due to misunderstanding the cultural issues.
Can such old wisdom that is hidden in martial arts philosophy point to the culturally independent way in leadership? Why, precisely, martial arts? Because martial arts does not differentiate! Being taught all over the globe philosophy remains the same regardless of personal belief, skin color, gender, and ability.
Effortless Leadership
In Nature, everything seems to be done effortlessly, or with the smallest effort, the same that is genuinely used in martial arts. Nature, in spite of dealing with extremely huge things and events, conserves “energy” e.g. big tree growth with little “effort,” the seas do not get tired of waving, birds fly with ease, an ant can hold 100 times its weight and appears to carry it effortlessly. The same principle is used in martial arts: in a fight there is simply not enough time to recuperate unwisely spent energy. You tire, you lose.
Overexertion is damaging also in the leadership process: to spend more energy that is needed is often harmful not only because it represents a physical and intellectual hindrance. When things are done effortlessly the impression is that everything runs smoothly and harmoniously, there is no stopping, no fuss, no dissatisfaction. Most importantly, all and everything is achieved without resorting to giving orders or spending time on extensive persuasion. A well led team should not be a battlefield of egos. In teamwork there is no place for individual victories or defeats.
Leadership from Within
“Trust your friends to beat you so that your enemies cannot,” is a saying in martial arts. Trust is the foundation of any martial arts practice. Like a martial artist, a virtuous leader trusts himself first, then trust his people. Consequently, he is trusted by them.
In martial arts, to effectively carry out an activity a very important issue is to be able to integrate all the power and capabilities of your entire organism. For this, coordination of your body and your spirit/mind is needed. A fist fight is like a bull fight. The toreador is not stopping the bull (the opponent) with his body. That is not even possible. The toreador lets the bull pass and then, at the right moment, he slays the bull with his sword. In business, people have their own ideas, concepts, knowledge, etc., and they all like to excel. A well-meaning leader will take advantage of that, and use it to its highest possibilities.
Leadership Foundation: Virtue
While teams involve collaboration, they are nevertheless led only by one person. And that person has to possess a virtue that comes from within. It cannot be taught and learned by way of “formulae” as suggested in many leadership books and MBA schools.
The principles of martial arts can empower one with extreme capabilities that can be used to different ends in different situations. One can cure, immobilize, even kill – with just the right pressure or by hitting certain places on an opponent’s body. It is a person’s virtue (responsibility) as to how one would use this knowledge. Assuming responsibility is, by all means, one of the most demanding requirements in leadership. It translates into a commitment to complete something. Some people like to hide from responsibility for their deeds, actions and decisions. Virtuous leaders never attempt to absolve themselves from their responsibilities, nor do they impose their value system on others. A leadership by virtue embraces people’s interests, knowledge and their abilities.
So yes, Leadership, Virtue, and Martial arts have plenty in common! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.
About Jaro Berce
I meditate on Nature frequently Jaro to adopt its effortless pace 😉 Thanks!
Me too Ryan when doing Ta Chi in woods almost each morning …
Enjoy jaro.
Jaro, enjoyed your post thankyou. The point that particularly strikes a chord for me is effortless leadership. There can be a tendency to over lead, and although they are different, to over manage and invariably this does more harm than good. A team who knows and believes in the strategy, the process and the outcomes really only requires a leader to occasionally readjust the course to stay on track or to recognise a new route is required. Effortless leadership to me means you provide only what is necessary, and this empowers teams and gives them ownership. You serve them. This has left me thinking and imaging a martial arts master peacefully in a bout and in control, where most of us would be frantic.
Thank you Peter for your comment that adds value to the post and shows a perspective that enriches the topic of “effortless leadership” approach coming from inner part and learned from martial arts that I practice.
And yes you are right about master (Shifu or Sensei) being calm … as leader should be too.
jaro.
Hello Jaro.
Thank you for your thought-provoking post in linking leadership, virtue, and martial arts. This sentence – “Assuming responsibility is, by all means, one of the most demanding requirements in leadership.” – certainly does communicate the importance of leadership accountability. So many times we see people in leadership positions who would much rather blame others or fail to keep commitments because it may not be convenient (in their minds) for them to take responsibility. In my opinion, those are not leaders – regardless of their title.
I also like your reference to “effortless leadership.” What a wonderful goal for all up and coming leaders to achieve.
All the best,
Susan
Thank you so much Susan to point out two important issues that connect Leadership-Martial arts with Virtue. Not having it … well you just stated “those are not leaders – regardless of their title”.
jaro.
Sir Jaro, am happy with the sagacity you shared here with us. Truly, a leader is a effective as his/her foundation. And if we can spend more time uprooting vices and rooting virtues, the world will be a better place.
Thank you for finding time to educate us with this beautiful blend of martial art and leadership wisdom. More grace to you great soul.
Ifeanyi, old martial artists were sages. I’m merely their follower and practitioner of what people have learned through centuries and we tend to forget it. nowadays due to too fast life we diminish their wisdom.
Thank you for your for kind words
jaro.
Dear Jaro,
Without a doubt, the one that touches me the most is “virtue”. Good judgment and responsibility are the moments of decision, the essence of future direction, and the truth we live with those we lead.
Wonderful post for ALL leaders, new and veteran, to live each day!
Kate
Thank you very much Kate.
Virtue I like the most too. I think that ethics and morals are constraining us. And we all know that each gang has its own ethics and morals…
jaro.