Isshinryu Leadership

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What is leadership? As many answers as there are people in the world especially those who hold a position of leader of a discipline. Seldom have I come across, in the Isshinryu world, an accepted definition of what an Isshinryu leader is and how the express those traits and skills in any leadership role. 

• Some assume rank indicates leadership, but what kind of leadership?
• Some assume time spent in practice, say decades, along with titles, accolades and other ancillary titles, symbols and promotions indicate leadership?
• Black belt wearers are often seen in leadership roles? 
• Connection to the style's creator or master as indicated in Isshinryu as first-gen students is assumed a leadership role in Isshinryu, is it? 

In general, fundamentally, what is a leader and what is leadership? 

A leader is:

A person who leads or commands a group, org, or country, i.e., also known as a chief, head-person, principal, boss, commander, captain, director and so on. 

Leadership is: 

The actions of leading a group or people or an organization, i.e., also known as a directorship, captaincy, controller, ruler, commander, etc.

So, with that basics set, what are the traits of a leader, i.e., leadership traits:

• Judgement;
• Dependability;
• Initiative; 
• Decisiveness; 
• Tact; 
• Integrity; 
• Endurance; 
• Bearing; 
• Unselfishness; 
• Courage; 
• Knowledge with Understanding; 
• Loyalty; 
• Enthusiasm;
• Character and Personality. 

I would go so far as to state that one must first and foremost have character and personality that exemplifies all the other traits with a stronger emphasis on knowledge and understanding with the common sense ability to bring skills, disciplines, knowledge and understanding to the power of the skill and/or discipline. 

• One can have rank and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
• One can have a lot of time in a discipline along with rank and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
• One can have and wear a black belt in a discipline and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
• One can have a direct or close relationship with the creator/master of a style or system and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
• One can have a direct and close relationship with one holding high rank and high credentials and high level position within an organization and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
• One can teach a style or system or skills owning a dojo and organization and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
• One can hold trophies, certificates and other symbols of achievements such as winning titles and accolades in a competitive environment and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.

So, do you hold such symbols, titles and achievements as indications of great knowledge and understanding along with the traits of a leader in a leadership position as being a “leader” with “leadership abilities?” 

In Isshinryu, as example, I found many who were leadership material who I would follow and utilize in creating my skill-sets along with character and personality toward being an inspirational leader much like the person themselves, call that mentorship and mentoring and guiding one who follows toward a skill of being the one who others follow and those held ranks lower than others making the same claims and having dojo and members who they freely “give” back what was learned freely and unencumbered with the trappings of what others see as successful dojo, etc. 

I quote, "I didn't train for X (me: forty plus) years so I could keep it, I learned it so I could give it away." – Ken Bent

Something to contemplate, something to aspire to be and do and believe and something to hold as a standard within oneself in the hopes and aspiration that others will find it of value.

For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)

Shido [指導] translated into English as, "leadership; guidance; instruction; direction; coaching." The first character translates to English as, "finger; point to; indicate; put into," and the second as, "leading; guidance; conduct; usher." 

Add a character to get, Shidosha [指導者] translated to English as, "leader; guide; mentor; coach."