THE SWORDS
The Book of Five Rings was written by Miyamoto Musashi, a sixteenth-century samurai who taught warriors to battle with both the short and the long sword. To lead, and to fight fuckery, we’ve adopted Musashi’s metaphor, introducing the short sword of Discovery and the long sword of Direction. Leaders use the short sword with confidence to listen, ask questions, and build relationship. The long sword is used to set the course, advocate a position, and establish accountability. Your aim, with both swords, is to root out and kill habits that damage trust.
Discovery requires you to step close. Paying attention is key, as is curiosity. You must engage all your senses, cueing in on motivation, resistance, and any threats to trust. Permission is required to advance. The short sword is precise in nature and seeks to understand.
Standing back and swinging a long sword is both energy-consuming and imprecise. Direction has its place, but not as a singular approach. The long sword, seeking to be understood, works once you’ve established a relationship and committed to listening first. Most of us make the mistake of leading with the long sword.
See below for details on the swords.
“Fuckery is not just a book. It is a user guide to help leaders map out the issues within their team. The “Fuckery” discovery process is a set of tools to eliminate the personal petty conflicts that inhibit true teamwork and prevent high performance achievements. Applying the principles and exercises creates greater trust between employees and a more productive and trusting organization.”
Give your team the opportunity to realize their own fuckery—and how they can overcome it.
Book a workshop, virtual coaching cohort, or off-site exploration with Lori.