The Belts of Leadership: Mastering Yourself Before Leading Others

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a ​video of a skinny kid getting his ass kicked on YouTube​.

At first, I didn’t think anything of it.

I thought it was another silly video posted to get “likes.”

And it was.

But I didn’t like it.

After seeing a ​breakdown by Hard2Hurt​ it reinforced for me that too many people seek public recognition before they’ve developed personal acceptance.

You can’t get from others what you don’t already give yourself and it reminded me of my own martial arts journey.

The martial arts analogy serves a powerful purpose:

The journey to mastery is a relentless pursuit of self-improvement.

Earning a black belt isn’t an overnight achievement;

It demands years of dedication, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth.

Similarly, true leadership, whether in your personal life, career, or public sphere, follows a similar path of progressive development.

Mastering Yourself: The White Belt of Personal Leadership

Your personal leadership foundation is where it all begins.

This white belt phase is about understanding and developing your core values, principles, and character.

It’s about building self-awareness, recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, and actively working on self-improvement.

This isn’t about being perfect; it’s about confronting your limitations and taking responsibility for your actions and emotions.

Think of it like this:

Before you can effectively control an opponent in martial arts, you must master your own body and mind.

You need to understand your limitations, your weaknesses, and how to push yourself beyond them.

The Sneako-Strickland Fiasco: A Cautionary Tale

The recent incident between social media personality Sneako and UFC fighter Sean Strickland serves as a cautionary tale.

Sneako, hoping to secure an interview for his podcast, challenged Strickland to a sparring session.

The outcome was widely documented, showcasing a significant skill disparity.

While the specifics of their personal relationship are not the focus, this scenario highlights the potential pitfalls of neglecting personal leadership.

Sneako, in his attempt to establish himself as a public leader, seemingly disregarded the importance of personal development.

Entering a challenging situation without the necessary skill or preparation reflects a lack of self-awareness and ultimately leads to an undesirable outcome.

If you haven’t seen the beatdown, ​here is the video and a great breakdown by Hard2Hurt​, one of my favorite YouTube creators.

Earning Your Stripes: The Blue and Brown Belts of Professional Leadership

As you solidify your personal leadership foundation, you can begin exploring professional leadership.

Here, you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to inspire and guide others within a professional setting.

This involves effective communication, delegation, conflict resolution, and fostering a positive work environment.

Imagine this:

Having mastered your body and basic fighting techniques, you now learn more advanced moves and strategies.

You practice applying your skills with others, learning to work together and adapt to different situations.

Building Your Voice: The Black Belt of Public Leadership

Finally, with a strong foundation in personal and professional leadership, you can consider public leadership.

This stage involves influencing and inspiring a broader audience, often beyond your immediate professional circle.

It requires the ability to articulate a clear vision, connect with diverse individuals, and earn their trust and respect.

Public leadership isn’t about demanding attention or forcing your ideas onto others.

It’s about earning your stripes through genuine leadership qualities and building a voice that resonates with your audience.

Remember:

Even black belts in martial arts can be defeated by a more skilled opponent.

Public leadership, like any other skill, requires constant refinement and adaptation to maintain trust and influence.

The Takeaway: A Journey, Not a Destination

Leadership development is a lifelong journey, not a destination.

Whether you aspire to be a better partner, a more effective manager, or a public figure, remember the importance of mastering yourself first.

Invest in personal growth, hone your professional skills, and build your leadership voice authentically.

The journey will be challenging, but the rewards of inspiring and empowering others are truly remarkable.

By understanding the different “belts” of leadership and prioritizing your personal growth,

You can avoid the pitfalls exemplified by the Sneako-Strickland situation and embark on a path toward becoming a true leader,

One who inspires and empowers others to reach their full potential.

Black Belt Leadership: Are You Committed to Putting in the Work?

Last year, I decided to start an online presence with social media, blogging, and digital product creation.

I wasn’t doing this for the money or fame but as a new way to challenge myself to grow and learn.

For a guy, who for most of his life, mostly kept to himself, busily and happily pursuing his life, this was a big change for me.

But, I had already set the stage by building my personal leadership through self-work and self-awareness, therapy, journaling, meditation, and deep work.

I had also built my foundation of professional leadership on the mat in Hapkido as a 2nd-degree black belt and a supervisor in construction, running crews on multi-billion dollar projects.

So I’m better prepared for the challenges, trolls, and rollercoaster ride of building an online brand of public leadership.

And, I’m not needing the approval of anybody else to help boost my ego, progress, and growth.

If you’re struggling with your own leadership, look within.

Where are you not leading yourself?

That’s what’s holding you back from leading others.

P.S. If you haven’t already received my FREE 3-week course on Personal Leadership, you can get it here: ​Learn to Lead