I’m a 4th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. In addition to teaching, I am an avid student of the art. Often times we hear writers reference the martial arts and how martial arts principles can be applied in business. While I agree, saying it doesn’t make it so. Yes, martial arts principles can be applied to business, but it is so much easier to say it than to do it.
Take the often used phrase “I got your back”. In the martial arts world, these words have real meaning. It is not just a nice thing to say; it’s certainly not a throw away line. It has meaning, and it has real consequences. Where I have seen it most, and experienced it personally, is in a Black Belt test. Each Black belt candidate has an uke (a partner who helps him/her by being their training partner and the attacker for the self-defense portion of the test – and part of the self defense is against weapons: knife, club and gun). An uke can make you look great or incompetent. Or worse, can get you hurt. That’s why the choice is so important. When I train Black Belt candidates, I insist they train with their uke. Students taking the test can also commit to one another by helping each other get through the test (it’s a multiple day test that tests you mentally, physically and it tests your martial arts skills) – this is an absolutely amazing thing to watch when it happens.
The uke is committed to making you look good and keeping you from getting hurt. Their job is to bring out the best in you. They will push you, challenge you, bring the techniques on hard (it can be unsettling with a knife), and push you to the brink, but they will never let you fail or underperform during the test or let you get rattled by the instructors running the test. Talk about balance. They are the hardest on you in private and your greatest protector in public (i.e. the test). No outsider can penetrate that relationship during the test. Interestingly, it carries over after test.
When we think of it in the business context, there are very few parallels. Too often people are willing to sell someone out just to look good, make a few more dollars or get a promotion. Businesses don’t form teams, they manage committees. The way of business we guess. Partnerships can be destroyed by many things. Just ask your accountant or lawyer about the wisdom of partnerships. Listen to the sour stories that abound. Business friendships can end sometimes when it’s not convenient, or it gets too hard. But it doesn’t have to be this way. “I got your back” brings you to what we refer to as a “formidable team”. It can’t be dislodged. The team works together for a common end. In business we’re not that concerned about competing against partners or friends, what makes us stand up and be concerned is when we know we’re going up against a formidable team. That’s tough competition.
There is a parallel between the principles and teachings in the martial arts with the business environment, especially working in a partnership. But it’s a whole lot harder than you can imagine. It is doable, but like preparing for a Black Belt test, it takes training, persistence, patience and an outstanding uke / partner, who truly has your back.
Copyright 2009 Kubica and LaForest
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