Martial Arts Perspective |
Life Skills Perspective |
As a Tae Kwon Do student, what kind of instructor |
If you reflect on the way you have been taught |
do you want to follow? Is it the one who has the |
over the last few years, you may realize that your |
highest kick and the strongest punch? Or, would you |
instructors often used different leadership styles for |
prefer one who treats you well and shows genuine |
different situations and individuals. At the white belt |
concern for your development? As you approach |
level, instructors were very motivational and watched |
Black Belt rank, it is important to realize that many |
over you carefully. At the intermediate level, |
students will look to you as a leader. They will |
they may have allowed you to work on your own |
recognize your superior skills, and respect your |
more. And as a senior belt, you were likely given |
experience. However, directing others by virtue of |
the opportunity to help instruct others. Depending |
your physical technique and your rank alone will |
on the individual student, and the task at hand, the |
not be an effective leadership style for very long. |
instructors may be supportive, directive, interactive, |
Instead, you must develop positive relationships with |
or even delegate. This “different strokes for different |
your junior belts. These relationships need to be |
folks” and “different strokes for the same folks at |
based on mutual respect. When others realize that |
different times” is a highly effective leadership style. |
you have their concerns at heart, you will not just be |
Try to be aware of the various personalities and |
accepted, you will be followed as a Tae Kwon Do |
learning stages of those you work with, whether it be |
leader. |
a project group, family or sports team. Resolve not to |
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be only the type of leader you wish to be, but the type |
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of leader your followers need. By doing this, you |
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will gain their effort and support. |
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