Why Ethical Leadership?

I told my friend Jack Hoban that I am getting a lot of questions from my friends about our up-coming ethical leadership seminar. Martial arts practitioners and spiritual seekers alike want to know why I have chosen to make such a boldly different move in my presentation for this event. I tell my friends I am doing this because I have passed the 60-year mark and there is much I have learned in my decades of study that I have not taught because it just did not seem to be in demand yet. But now things are different. I can no longer wait for my seniors in their 70s and 80s to take that initiative in teaching, and the world seems different now, suffering from financial, ethical, and health crises that have caused so many to question the way they live their lives. I feel morally compelled to do it.

I asked Jack what he tells his friends. Give it to me straight, I said. Why should people trust us on this one, and make it happen to be there with us on this special day in March?

Here’s what Jack wrote back:

Some people (actually many people) have asked about the seminar I am giving in two weeks with Stephen Hayes.

The first question is: Why? Answer: Because I want to. I have been friends with Stephen for almost 30 years. Our lives took different paths over that time, but our friendship remained strong. He introduced me to Hatsumi Sensei at his house and facilitated my first extended solo visit to Japan. He is a brilliant guy with many interesting experiences to share – and I want to continue to share them, and I want my friends to have that opportunity, as well. If they want to.

Second question: What is it about? Answer: It is about ethics, leadership and warriorship. While not a martial arts seminar, per se, it will have all the elements of the sanhsin: body, mind, spirit. We will draw from our martial arts experiences, military experiences, experiences in Tibet and with the Dalai Lama, business…in other words, LIFE. How do you live in the REAL world as an ethical person, a leader and a warrior. You do not need a martial arts uniform (loose-fitting business casual clothing is appropriate) but this ain’t going to be no Anthony Robbins workshop.

Third question: Should I go? Answer: Only you can answer that. But if you agree that the world needs some fierce, ethical leadership in this day and age, you may want to join us. Because that’s what Stephen and I think.

Fourth, (and unspoken) question: You are confusing me – Is this some weird twisting of the Bujinkan? Answer: Bujinkan is Masaaki Hatsumi’s martial art. So, no, this is not Bujinkan. Have both both Stephen Hayes’ and my perspectives of life been impacted by our (very different) experiences with Hatsumi Sensei? Absolutely, and that is part of who we are and what we will present. But this is not a martial arts class. This is an ethics and leadership workshop – for warriors willing to take the lead in their lives.

There is an agenda posted RGI. Check the bottom of the page.

7 comments to “Why Ethical Leadership?”

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  1. Any chance this work will be recorded and available to the public? I am sure many others would benefit from this workshop who are unable to attend.

  2. Great response from Mr. Hoban. Good to see that real friends last throughout the years.

  3. Will this seminar help if you currently have only your family to lead?

  4. If you do the right thing because it is the right thing
    you will find out your family is a little bigger than you
    thought. And getting the people who want to follow
    to be leaders in their own right is . . . challenging.

  5. Terry Garrett says: -#1

    Ethics are essential in every aspect of life. This just goes along with the idea that martial arts is truely a way of life and not just a sport. A philosophy and not just a set of self defense techniques. Ethics separate the TRUE martial artist from the thug. I would really love to be able to sit in on the sessions because I do believe that this is a topic that has been saddly overlooked in many areas in life. Martial arts included. Thank you An-shu for the life lessons you continue to present to us.

  6. Having only come into the martial arts culture in the last four years, I have been amazed at the amount of unethical conduct there is. I applaud you for this much needed step for a community that once held the warrior virtue at its heart. It seems that the potential economic and physical benefits of martial arts have impacted the practice more than anything else of late.

    Thank you for taking this bold step and blazing a trail for others to follow.

  7. Terry Garrett says: -#1

    Please, please, PLEASE record or video the workshop for those of us who are unable to attend.

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