Do you lead by example? Do you lead by your actions? Do you lead by the position of leadership, i.e. shido? Do you have the ability to lead skillfully? Do you inspire others? Are you able by your mere presence to instill a will and desire to exceed in practice, training and application? How many Sensei are actually qualified leaders in their system of choice?
Do you have a positive influence on those who follow your guidance in martial arts? Can you gain support and aid form others to accomplish tasks without effort? Do you live a process of social influence by which others excel in a discipline? Do you aid and support others in accomplishments both personal and group oriented? Do you encourage leadership in others so it emerges naturally? Are you a good organizer? Can you achieve common goals with the assistance of others? Are you able to follow the leadership of others? Is your dojo one that is cohesive and coherent?
Do you have the social skills indicative of a leader? Do you have an open-minded perception of all things? Are you able to make decisions and then live those decisions as an example to others? Does your communication skills foster your leadership in the dojo?
Do you have the trust and confidence of those you lead? of those you follow? Do you help your kohai? Do you go the extra mile to communicate the system in the dojo? Do you share readily and easily the information necessary for practitioners to achieve proficiency or even mastery of the system and way? Are you trustworthy? Are you flexible? Do you apply attention to those who follow you?
Principles of Leadership, i.e. Shido:
Know thyself; seek self-improvement diligently and continuously.
Be technically proficient in your system.
Seek out responsibility.
Be responsible for your words, deeds and actions.
Be decisive yet willing to admit errors.
Know your practitioners and keep aware of their well-being.
Keep all persons informed.
Have a strong sense of responsibility for your practitioners.
Ensure your teachings are fully understood, monitored in practice, and accomplished.
Train and practice as a synergetic group.
Use the full capabilities of your system, style, group, dojo and fellow martial artists.
Be and always remain professional in and out of the dojo. Remain loyal, selfless and responsible for the dojo and its members. Be honest, competent, have candor, be committed, remain of high integrity, have unfailing courage, be straightforward, and keep your imagination lively and relevant.
Know that you are a follower, leader, communicator and listener. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Remain diligently in control of your emotions and how others respond to stress. Know when and where to go for help. Know the culture and beliefs of your system and your practitioners and how they relate in teaching, practice and training. Provide proper direction such as setting of realistic and valid goals; properly resolving problems and issues; planning; and create a culture, atmosphere, environment and belief in a morale and esprit de corps in the dojo, in training, and in reality.
Shido, not an easy path to follow but a hallmark of all good Sensei.
Nice. I've never heard of shido before. Will be playing with it a lot in my head in the Japanese context.
ReplyDelete