Lessons my black belt in karate taught me about leadership

Hola, I am an experienced HR professional on a search for my next adventure. This article reflects some of the values I believe in - Do you know someone I should connect with or just enjoy the read? Feel free to connect or repost!

Have you ever reflected on how the things you loved doing as a kid might have influenced the leader you are today??

Personally, I know my lifelong practice of karate has had a large impact on my character and profession as an HR Leader. Besides direct management, a vital part of my role involves coaching and supporting other leaders and teams at all levels of the organization.?

While many people might associate karate with strict discipline and self-defense techniques, there exist deeper layers and dimensions. Budo is the core code-of-conduct in karate and other traditional martial arts, such as Judo and Aikido, and is often translated into “the martial way”. It embodies a philosophical approach to martial arts that is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and Zen Buddhism, going beyond physical combat into a personal lifelong journey that embraces spiritual, ethical, and philosophical dimensions. Aspects such as team collaboration, mutual respect, self-reflection, curiosity, courage to fail and mental presence are all key elements that a skilled karateka must master.?

Interestingly enough, these qualities align with essential leadership attributes, which sparked my curiosity to explore the connection between them.?

Here are a few things karate taught me about leadership.

1. Adopting a beginner’s mindset?

It took me twelve years to achieve my black belt in karate? - ?an accomplishment I hold with pride. However, I understood that it only marked the beginning of my growth journey, bringing humility and gratitude for the path ahead.

After years of dedicated practice in budo and karate, you’re able to enter different states of mind. Rooted deeply in Zen Buddhism is the concept of Shoshin or the “beginner’s mind”. This mindset highlights the danger of intellectual over-confidence that comes with feeling like an expert, often resulting in closed-mindedness. Cultivating a beginner’s mindset fosters openness to new information, curbing overconfidence, and promoting collaboration with others and their perspectives.

Applying a similar approach to our leadership journey can spark curiosity within ourselves and our teams. Embracing a beginner’s mindset encourages us to explore new avenues and perspectives, preventing complacency and fostering continuous learning.?

In leadership, as in martial arts, there is always room for growth and discovery.

2. Growth is a lifelong journey that strengthens resilience

You probably know that karate, along with other martial arts, shares the belt system which is composed of various colors. Each color symbolizes a narrative of personal growth and development, reflecting progress both within and outside the dojo. Every advancement presents an opportunity not only to enhance your technical abilities but to also cultivate fundamental character traits, fostering holistic personal development. Rising in rank means a chance for continual improvement, urging practitioners to aspire to greater heights.

As leaders, we are expected to navigate and adapt to unforeseen circumstances in an ever-changing and complex environment, where resilience is crucial. An important aspect of building resilience involves regularly dedicating time to self-reflection. This will help us evolve as leaders as we will constantly explore and challenge our character. Karate taught me that becoming aware of our strengths and weaknesses enables us to cultivate inner calm and mental strength that translates to our leadership ability and those around us.?

This ultimately makes us more resilient and adaptable to any challenges along the way.

3. Embracing failure through the student and teacher mentality

Becoming a beginner in karate as a child wasn’t always easy. My confidence was fragile and every practice my Sensei (instructor) would point out areas of improvement. However, being in a safe environment where everyone genuinely aimed to support my growth, where my Sensei skillfully managed the perfect blend between constructive feedback and encouragement, decreased my fear of failing. Determined to improve even the smallest technique everyday, I learned to embrace failure as a natural part of my development. As I climbed to higher belts, I also got to practice giving and receiving feedback by assuming the roles of both a student and teacher every class.

Similarly, leaders can foster a growth mindset among their teams. By creating a safe environment, failing will be perceived as a learning opportunity rather than permanent setbacks, enabling the courage for team members to continuously improve. Establishing a balanced feedback loop between leaders and team members creates a culture of mutual respect and continuous learning, where everyone is safe to alternate between the role of a student and teacher, contributing to collective growth.

4. Practicing respectful leadership

In martial arts, teaching respect is one of the core values all students must learn and perform both in and outside the dojo (training hall). It entails treating every person with decency and kindness. This means we always bow to instructors and fellow karatekas during practice and competitions, as well as upon entering and leaving the dojo. Moreover, practicing karate means training alongside different generations and skill levels at the same time, having to respect different needs and physical limitations. Mutual respect is essential for adapting teaching methods, coaching approaches, and training intensity to each individual. This way, we also minimize injuries and foster a safe training environment.

Translating back to leadership, a core element of empathy and a fundamental behavior that defines great leadership according to science is respect. By respect I mean recognizing and honoring the inherent worth and value of every individual?- including their words, actions, and behaviors.

I’ve learned that a crucial aspect of embodying respectful leadership is investing time in getting to know your team members while also allowing them to do the same with you. By sharing a bit of yourself and showing genuine curiosity for their motivations, strength and limitations? - ?supporting their individual needs? - ?you cultivate a culture of trust, safety and mutual respect. Understanding how each individual contributes to the team’s success enables a dynamic and safe work environment with high engagement and ultimately high-performance.

Respectful leadership will also inspire others to adopt the same behavior and reduce conflict and tension within the team.

Final reflections

My karate journey began when I was 11 years old, stumbling upon a simple note in school, announcing the opening of a new karate club. Driven by curiosity, I convinced my mom to let me give it a try, taking a leap into something equally scary as fascinating. Now, over two decades later, I am profoundly grateful for the invaluable lessons and values karate has taught me, shaping me into the person I am today and profoundly influencing my professional life in HR.

So, to my younger self - thank you for bringing me on this lifelong journey.

What childhood pursuit has left an indelible mark on your character and leadership qualities?

Enjoy this read or know someone who share these values and I should connect with? Feel free to connect or repost!