Be the Samurai Sword
Relationships are constantly facing crisis. Everywhere we look people are in dispute with one another. Companies are in dispute with one another. Countries are even in dispute with one another.
Arguments, litigation, divorce, even war are the products of relationships in crisis.
What is the purpose of fuelling animosity? Life is so short. It's too short to waste precious time with such unproductive pursuits. Do we really need to keep conflict going? What can possibly be achieved by constantly fanning the flame of conflict? But people do it.
When one party has the strength to step back, conflict, or the escalation of it, can often be avoided.
Strength? Yes I did say strength. It takes strength and courage to take the first bold step of reconciliation and peace. Some might consider such a move as being soft or weak.
Allow me to give you an example of strength borne through softness.
The samurai sword, or katana, as it is more correctly known, is made of the strongest steel. Made hundreds of years ago in feudal Japan, many examples of these swords are still in pristine condition. They will stand up to the very best modern steel making technology of today.
The katana gets its strength from the many separate and symbiotic processes that the sword smiths of the era employed. (Re "The Craft of the Japanese Sword" - Kapp and Yoshihara - ISBN 0-87011-798-X - for more information)
One of the most important qualities is the katana's soft malleable inner core. This embedded soft steel inner core allows the weapon to absorb outer hits on its striking surface without serious damage.
There is little doubt that the katana was a fearsome weapon in its time. It still is. Yet at its heart lies the softest metal giving the weapon its greatest strength.
You can learn to be like the samurai sword. You can develop strength through softness. Be the samurai sword.
[If you like this article and would like to use it on your own website or ezine you may do so ONLY if the article is not changed in any way and the final paragraph: "About the author", with all links intact, is included.]
About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Gary's email address is budo@iinet.net.au. Click here to go to his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his "Zenspirational Thoughts" plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book "The Power of Choice."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unleash It!
On airplanes, in restaurants, in the newspaper and on television,... Read More
Get Angry And Then Get Results
Leadership is not about winning a popularity contest, it's about... Read More
5 Human Capital Asset Enrichment Strategies for Leaders!
Here's a really simple way to think about the ins... Read More
Leadership Skills and Ability
What is true Leadership.Is leadership something we are born with... Read More
Seven Personal Characteristics Of A Good Leader
How often have you heard the comment, "He or she... Read More
Who Is Randy Gage and Why Is He One of My Mentors and Heroes?
Who is Randy Gage? I first read about him in... Read More
The Code of the Conference Leader
Are your meetings generally a waste of time? Do you... Read More
The Leader Within
Each and every one of you has hidden deep inside... Read More
Weakness, Struggle, Fear, Knowledge, Growth, Courage, Leader
Theodore Roosevelt was one of the most remarkable men in... Read More
3 Elements of Leadership Power!
In an article discussing the need for innovative products and... Read More
5 Power Keys For Leadership Success!
Did you know that you can successfully handle most leadership... Read More
Extraordinary People in Mediocre Times
My grandfather used to speak of the days when people... Read More
Is Your Life Ready For Groundhog Day?
In the hit comedic movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray's character,... Read More
Wanted: A Dictionary-Perfect Leader
Answers are often before our very eyes or in front... Read More
Leaders ARE; Are you?
Identity CrisisIt's not only the knowledge you carry around in... Read More
Pure Discipline
General George S. Patton was born on November 11, 1885... Read More
A Winning Choice for Leadership!
"The only way to enjoy anything in this life, is... Read More
Leadership
Webster's defines leadership as : "1. the office of position... Read More
C4 Leadership: Taking Your Leadership (and your Life) from Good...To Explosive!
Chances are if you're interested in this post, you're looking... Read More
Leadership Is Power: Test Your Ethics
"The payoff for the ethical person is a reputation for... Read More
Make The Elephant Jump -- Leading With A Kind Heart
Leadership is not about getting people to do what they... Read More
Choose To Become An Encourager
"...I know that the only source of happiness is within... Read More
Being an Extraordinary Leader Through Tough and Challenging Times
Tough and challenging times will surely come. That is a... Read More
Would Socrates Be A Celebrity Today?
Last week, as I was standing in the checkout line... Read More
Career Advice for Business Leaders: Empowering Others
Many potential leaders in business sabotage themselves and their organizations... Read More
Leadership Tips From My Dad
Lee (L.B.) Weiss (Sept. 21/25 ? April 30/82)My dad has... Read More
7 AAA Ways To Succeed!
[Abounding Abundant Ample Ways To Boost Your Growth!] This may... Read More
Chris Top 7 Favorite Leadership Books
1. The West Point Way of Leadership.GREAT book by a... Read More
The Metamorphosis of the Successful Executive . . . Overcoming Professional Stagnation
You're a bright, successful business executive making good money and... Read More
Give Your Valentine A Very Special Gift - Empowerment
Delegating is a commonly misunderstood concept. Delegating is not about... Read More
Introduction to the The Enneagram as a Leadership Tool
The Enneagram is a fascinating tool of nine orientations that... Read More
Awaken the Leader in You: 10 Easy Steps To Develop Your Leadership Skills
"The miracle power that elevates the few is to be... Read More
Five Surprisingly Hip Politicial Ideas From Plato
Don't you love politics?Me, neither. But I do like thinking... Read More
The Four Laws Of Leadership (Part One)
Leadership is motivational or it's stumbling in the dark. After... Read More
The Three Factors of Leadership Motivation
Leaders do nothing more important than get results. But you... Read More
Leadership Tips From My Dad
Lee (L.B.) Weiss (Sept. 21/25 ? April 30/82)My dad has... Read More
Leadership Training: The Bit They Didn?t Tell You About Changing!
A willingness to change first is one of the major... Read More
Chris Top 7 Favorite Leadership Books
1. The West Point Way of Leadership.GREAT book by a... Read More
Shades of Grey: Government, Religion, & People
Some think that everything is black and white. I'm beginning... Read More
Leadership For Deep Results: Without Them Are You Wasting Your Leadership And Your Life? (Part One)
I've challenged all leaders I have worked with during the... Read More
Leadership Skills Training Empowers Problem-solving and Visioning
Leadership skills training programs empower you to influence, persuade or... Read More
Dont Be a Complainer
Complaining. There's room for legitimate complaining, but if you let... Read More
Building Teams and Teamwork
A tight knit team is a group of competent individuals... Read More
Two Vital Abilities Any Leader Must Have
As a business owner, you are a leader whether you... Read More
To Be An Effective Leader, Do A Check-up From The Neck Up
Before we can effectively lead anyone, we must take an... Read More
Is Your Life Ready For Groundhog Day?
In the hit comedic movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray's character,... Read More
Make The Elephant Jump -- Leading With A Kind Heart
Leadership is not about getting people to do what they... Read More
Characteristics of a Good Leader
It's interesting to hear the responses from executives when I... Read More
Rationalize Success Away
I was invited to do a Leadership workshop at a... Read More
The Leadership Talk As A Living Hologram
The hologram is a three-dimensional photograph made on a flat... Read More
Leadership and Followership in a Team Setting
Many solopreneurs work in a team environment either with their... Read More
The Leadership Strategy: An Unmined Comstock Lode of Results
During the Second World War, Winston Churchill had a framed... Read More
The Qualities of Skillful Leadership
If you want to be a leader who attracts quality... Read More
The Code of the Conference Leader
Are your meetings generally a waste of time? Do you... Read More
Unleash It!
On airplanes, in restaurants, in the newspaper and on television,... Read More
Make the Most of Your Mentoring Relationships
Mentoring is one of the best ways to learn, to... Read More
Transformational Leadership
"What is leadership?" When this question is asked most of... Read More
Strengthening Leadership Development with Employees
Within every business lies a network of people who are... Read More
Common Mistakes Extraordinary Leaders Dont Make
When people make a decision (either consciously or unconsciously) to... Read More
Recommended Books on Leadership and Team Building
The single most important thing a leader can do is... Read More
Miraculous Leadership
It was a time of turmoil. In November 1979, supporters... Read More
The Seven Army Values - Theyre Not Just For The Military
The Army defines seven values that soldiers should strive to... Read More
7 Core Elements Of Your Vivid Vision!
What you are about to read may be found in... Read More
Who Is Randy Gage and Why Is He One of My Mentors and Heroes?
Who is Randy Gage? I first read about him in... Read More
BIG-3 Leadership!
"Do what you do so well that they will want... Read More
What Every Manager Should Know About How to See the Talents of Effective Leaders
An organization of any size, from the family to the... Read More
Leadership |