Degrees of Black Belt

A few years ago I earned a degree through Tom Callos' Ultimate Black Belt Test. It was a test that took two years and involved a lot of different requirements - some necessary, some not so. It was a great experience. It changed the way I looked at Black Belt testing in some ways and re-affirmed it in others.

There is one thing that has remained constant though, I could care less how many bars I have on my belt. The rank does not make the black belt. In 1985, I moved to Madison, Wisconsin, with my instructor Randy Reid to start the first Karate America. We grew quickly, adding schools throughout the state, and some fellas even moving to Florida and Colorado.

As time passed, we started getting all of these black belts, and we had to figure out what to do with them all, and so we started developing a 2nd degree program, which led to a third degree, and then on to a fourth, and for a few - a fifth degree.

One of the unintended consequences of adding degrees to our black belts is that some of them fell into the trap of believing that the person wearing a 3rd degree is morally superior than than the once with a 2nd degree, and so they base their self-worth on how many gold bars they have on their belt.

So you had a cultural hierarchy develop where some thought they were better than others simply by the rank achieved, with no regard to experience, potential or ability. It was kind of like Animal Farm, where everyone is equal, except some are more equal than others. I hated that.

"IT is not what you wear it is what you do."

It is not what you wear that makes you what you are, but rather  it is the experiences that you endure that make the degrees on your belt bearable. Personally, I have done more than some, but far less than others, but that's okay, I still have time.

Be true to yourself.

"Stay thirsty my friends."

Top Characteristics of Successful Instructors (part 2)

6. Successful Instructors are enthusiastic

They are always in a positive mood - even during difficult times - and their enthusiasm is contagious. They seldom talk poorly of their school or        business. When faced with unpleasant or negative situations, they choose to focus on the positive elements instead of allowing themselves to be dragged down. Remember, enthusiasm is not taught, it’s caught!

7. Successful Instructors take responsibility for their results

They do not blame internal problems, the economy, tough competitors, or anything else if they fail to meet their goals. They know that their actions alone will determine their results and they do what is necessary.

8. Successful Instructors work hard

Most people want to be successful but they aren’t prepared to work hard to achieve it. Superstar Instructors don’t wait for students to come to them; they go after them. They usually start work earlier than their colleagues and stay later than everyone else. They make more calls, prospect more consistently, talk to more people, and teach more classes. Successful instructors do what unsuccessful instructors won’t do; they do “Whatever it takes”.

9. Successful Instructors keep in touch with their students

They know that constant contact helps keep students so they use a variety of approaches to accomplish this. They send thank-you, birthday, and              anniversary cards. They make phone calls and schedule regular ‘progress reviews’. They are constantly on the lookout for new and creative ways to keep their name in their students’ minds. They work 110% with students to help them progress their martial arts skills, achieve their individual goals and ensure they have an enjoyable time.

10. Successful Instructors show value

Today’s world is more competitive than ever before and most        Instructors think that price is the only motivating buying factor. Successful Instructors recognize that price is a factor but it is seldom the primary reason someone chooses their school. They know that a well-informed buyer will usually base much of her decision on the value proposition presented by the Instructor. They know how to create this value with each student, they encounter.

Top Characteristics of Successful Instructors (Pt. 1)

1. They are persistent

Running a business for a living requires a tremendous amount of persistence. Obstacles loom in front of us on a regular basis. But it’s what you do when faced with these barriers that will determine your level of success. It was Brian Tracy who once said that “A person will face the most  challenging obstacle just before they achieve their goal”. The most successful people in any industry have learned to face the obstacles that get in their way. They look for new solutions. They are tenacious. They refuse to give up.

2. Successful Instructors are avid goal setters

They know what they want to accomplish and they plan their approach. They make sure their goals are specific, motivational, achievable yet challenging, relevant to their personal situation, and time-framed. They visualize their   target, determine how they will achieve their goal, and take action on a daily basis.

3. Great Instructors ask quality questions

The best Instructors ask their students and prospect plenty of quality questions to fully determine their situation and buying needs. They know that the most effective way to present their program is to uncover their customer's goals, objectives, concerns and hesitations. This allows them to effectively discuss the features and benefits of their program that most relate to each customer.

4. Successful Instructors listen

Most Instructors will ask a question then give their student the answer, or continue to talk afterward instead of waiting for their response. Great Instructors know that students will tell them everything they need to know if given the right opportunity. They ask questions and listen carefully to the   responses, often taking notes and summarizing their understanding of the student’s comments. They have learned that silence is golden.

5. Successful Instructors are passionate 

                      Most Instructors will ask a question then give their student the answer, or continue to talk    afterward instead of waiting for their response. Great Instructors know that students will tell them everything they need to know if given the right opportunity. They ask questions and listen carefully to the   responses, often taking notes and summarizing their understanding of the student’s comments. They have learned that silence is golden. 
 

Instructors - Random Thoughts

1. Schedule everything
2. It is not about what someone gets to do, but what they can become
3. Practice pays off - practice privately 100 times for every public performance
4. To be interesting become interested
5. Exceed expectations - consistently
6. Pause before responding
7. You have only 1 chance to make a good 1st impression.
8. Education is experience
9. Confidence is the result of experience
10. Become your own competition

4 Things Every Karate Instructor Should Know

1. It is not necessarily about teaching martial arts, but developing relationships.

2. It is not necessarily about your style, the 'what', but about your settings expectations, the 'why', and holding your students accountable, 'the how'.

3. It is not necessarily about skill development, but about learning the ability to set goals and accomplish them. Instructors need to remember that it karate skills are only a means to an end, and not the end in themselves.


4. It is not necessarily about you. Don't let your ego get in the way. The minute you realize that your job is to be respected through your professional example and not be popular with your students your will be well on your way to a rewarding career as a martial arts instructor.

Seven Steps on the Black Belt's Journey...

How we look at the world and approach our daily lives will dictate the quality of our life. When we focus on our ego's and are driven by our fears and desires we are in direct conflict with our Black Belt ideal. 

Here is a short list from several sources including Wayne Dyer, Stephen Covey, Spencer Johnson, and the Arbinger Institute. 

Remember: "Copying from one source is plagiarism, while copying from many is research!"

1.  Stop being offended. 

     We all know people who go out of their way to be offended by something and carry a grudge. Don't let people have that kind of control over you.

2.  Let go of your need to win.

     Try your best when competing, but understand that winning is a matter of preparation over luck, and the game is won far in advance. Don't be consumed with winning, but with preparing yourself to be your best.

3.  Let go of your need to be right.

     Insecure people are those who constantly need to prove themselves. The personalize every argument, and when they are wrong they will refuse to admit it. If you are wrong or have made a mistake, then admit it! This is the mark of a true leader.

4.  Let go of your need to be superior.

     Don't be distracted with being better than others, rather concentrate on being better than you used to be. Stay focus on your own growth, remembering that no one is any more important than anyone else.

5.  Let go of your need to have more.

     Don't judge your worth on your possessions. You are not the stuff you've accumulated. Remember that it is in the giving of yourself - time, industry or knowledge that gives your life meaning. 

6.  Let go of identifying yourself on the basis of your achievements.

     Be grateful for the talents and abilities you possess and that they have allowed you to achieve, but understand that the root of your talents is not you but your Creator, and so give credit where credit is due. 

7.  Let go of your reputation.

     Your reputation is not you, but is located in the minds of others. You have no control of what others think of you, and so stop worrying about it. Make decisions based on your head and heart with scant attention paid to how it looks to others. 

Thanks for visiting, I hope you enjoyed our thoughts! 


CJ

Is Your Instructor Invincible?

           Do you remember Superman? Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful... you know rest. (I used to watch these old re-runs as a kid and I always loved it when the bad guy unloaded his revolver at the Man of Steel - with Superman standing around bored as the bullets bounced harmlessly off of his torso, only to have the ne'er-do-well heave the emptied gun at him in frustration , causing Superman to quickly duck out of the way - as if he's thinking 'Hey buddy, bullets are one thing, but tossing that gun could put an eye out!')

Where was I? Oh yes, have ever seen an young instructor act as if he is like the Man of Steel? Invincible to attack, impervious to heat, cold, an expert with guns, with knives...listen to the Colonel:

       How many young black belts are being trained to act as if they have all of the answers and training promised by a school's advertisements?

Usually these young instructors are put through a superficial Instructors Training Program, or a Leadership Program in which they are taught Personality Traits:

• How to shake hands
• 100 ways to say good job
• 'Everyone is a winner' 
• 'Hi 5's'

It is like they have a shell that they put on and wear. You can't put your finger on it, but something seems to be missing, something fake, and contrived.

Why? Because the owner wants to expand and he's bought into the fact that it is easy to build instructors like McDonald's build a fry cooks. 

Too many instructors are put through contrived programs created by someone else. The school owner, who is either unwilling or unable to create a meaningful instructor's program buys a training program from the MAIA convention, and then figures that a three ring binder and a couple of months of role playing is enough training to start teaching.

The young instructor models himself after the older black belt and slowly stops demonstrating, and little by little stops sharing his skills, and starts telling others what to do versus sharing with others on what he loves to do, causing a wall of separation between the students and himself.

Owners, we are to blame. We are comfortable teaching the 'what', but not so hot teaching the 'why', and the 'how'. The passion that inspired us to dedicate our lives to building a dream business is lost because we fail to continue doing the difficult task of building a quality instructor, of setting high expectations, and holding people accountable. We have often settled for less because we would rather have an inferior employee out on the floor rather than have to work ourselves.

So when the quality drops we scratch our heads. Karate schools are not health clubs. A health club is by it's nature superficial and trendy. A karate school is just an empty room with a black belt waiting to lead.

Character over Personality
What makes a great instructor? Well, what is the definition of the term, 'sensei'? It translates into 'one who was born before.' It isn't intended to mean chronological age, but experience. A great instructor is one who has been there before, actually been out in the ring, one who has put it all on the line versus reading it in a manual and giving the answer rehearsed in their I.T. classes. (that's 'instructor training', not 'information technology')

Two thine own self be true.
(Hey, not bad! We went from Superman to Rambo to Hamlet's Polonius in one caffeine induced blog entry!)

If you desire to be an instructor please understand that there are no shortcuts to the knowledge that comes from experience.

Understand that as a new instructor the thing that counts most is integrity and your ability to develop relationships based on trust. If you are not good at something, then admit it...  

"Hey folks, this is a difficult move, heck, I'm still struggling with it, let's work on it together and see how we do!"

I don't know about you but when someone is honest with me it goes a long way to building a solid relationship.

New Instructors, please remember that your biggest asset is your enthusiasm for the martial arts, and you will be successful when you approach class as a fellow student who is leading the class rather than playing the part of the all-knowing, all powerful black belt who has misplaced his cape.