Page 14 - March 2022

Lessons on Leadership from the

Ancient Samurai

What the Japanese Bushido Spirit means for us today

We are all leaders in some sense. guided Japanese culture for centuries.
Whether you are in a position of Reflecting on and adopting the tenets of

authority as a parent, coach, teacher, this age-old Japanese teaching can help
office manager, or even CEO, you are, us to face our challenges so that we and
at the very least, leader of your own those we lead can thrive.

destiny- a destiny that is constructed
of the constant chain of decisions you “What exactly is Bushido Spirit?” you

make- big and small- minute by minute, may ask. Translated literally as “the
day by day. Sometimes, especially when warrior’s way,” Bushido describes the
having to make a crucial decision, it code of Samurai attitudes, behavior,

can feel as though you are on your own and lifestyle. Although its origins are
with no one to guide you. Those are the unclear, Bushido probably began about

moments when it is most beneficial to 800 years ago during the Kamakura
have a code of ethics to fall back on for period in Japan as the integration of
direction. Ingraining that code so that traditional swordsmanship and the

it becomes a road map to a successful, religious teachings of Buddhism,
happy life through good times and bad is Shintoism, and Confucianism. Evolving

a matter of conscious attention, refection, over the centuries, Bushido has come
and practice. to be known as ‘The Soul of Japan’
and influences nearly every aspect of

In all honesty, this is not a new idea. Japanese society.
People of all cultures have long

understood the value of guiding To understand the basics of Bushido
principles. However, understanding and Spirit is to understand its seven virtues.
doing are two different things, especially Let’s walk through them one by one and

in times of stress. Challenges can easily consider how we might apply them to
knock us off course if we are not firmly our everyday lives. I hope that as you

rooted in our convictions. contemplate these virtues and reflect on
how they may apply to your immediate
The Bushido Spirit of Japan is an problems, you will find something that

exemplary code of conduct that has touches your heart and stirs your soul.

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