We want to learn like a White Belt, lead like a Black Belt, and live like a Leader.
The Power of Humility is best led by our white belts. Sometimes as Leaders and Black Belts, we can follow the humility of a White Belt.
Often we speak about how to move, think, and speak like a Black Belt. This is the beginning of a white belt’s journey to Black Belt. Black Belts are the example of drive, perseverance, persistence, confidence, self esteem, and training. We often define our journey based off Black Belt, but our White Belts are a very important part of this process. As White Belts, we have to be open to growth and to do so we have to be willing to raise our standards and give perfect effort. In the process, we constantly remind white belts there are up and downs and how to embrace the journey and appreciate the rush of a short term victory, the commitment of a setback while still seeing the long term and how both our victories and setbacks contribute to our long term goals and push us forward. The ability to look at a journey and see both the mountains and valleys and focus on the hope and faith to take action is the power in humility. So, even though we use Legacy, Leadership and Black Belts to become examples in life, White Belts are the leader and example of the power of humility.
White Belts grow and learn quickly. A White Belt is new and this clean slate allows them to easily approach things with an empty cup with no prior perceptions. Because they have to trust the learning process more, they give up some of the control that may hinder growth and learning. They are not focusing on their vulnerabilities and setbacks but embracing them because they are focusing on the potential that training brings. They are already outside their comfort zone so a variance of increased discomfort does not seem much different. Feedback, help, and practice are often appreciated and utilized. There is no lower level than ground zero. They put all their energies in moving forward and there’s little time in focusing on setbacks because at ground zero – there are not many heights to fall from.
Often, as Black Belts and Leaders, we have realized great heights of skills and need to be reminded of the power in humility. Receiving setbacks, enduring struggles in such a public arena can be very difficult- especially when those we lead are watching. Often because we have reached great heights, we have preconceived ideas which get in the way of emptying our cup. The first step is accepting the setback, and, understanding that while we did a great job and we wanted things in our own timing that there is God’s timing and it’s time to learn like a White Belt. We can lead with our vulnerabilities as Black Belt Leaders by raising ground zero from the point of the setback, asking for help and feedback, and trusting the learning process just like a White Belt.
White Belts lead with their vulnerabilities and so do the best Leaders who build their own Legacies of helping others grow. Black Belts and Leaders who continue to learn like White Belts benefit from the Power Of Humility.
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