Kenzo Matsuzaki



Humility




What I learned from Kenzo Matsuzaki:


Or more to the point what I haven't learned well enough.

Humility.

I guess coming to America with nothing, learning in her military from the very best and then earning a few dollars closing deals over the years had given me a pretty egotistical outlook. There is a very fine line between confidence and arrogance. Stepping over that line may hone the competitive edge, harden us and feed the ego but it feels hollow and fraudulent after any significant introspection. None of us are as good as we think we are but don't try to tell us that - It's humbling.

Looking back on it Kenzo Matsuzaki was a cerebral life saver.

Kenzo knew a thing or two as an Aikido master and eastern renaissance man. He had virtually seen and done everything in the ninety plus years of his life. His quiet serenity seemed immune to challenge or circumstance and like some enormous rock the waves of life, whether crashing or gently caressing against him, produced the same steadfast countenance. It was truly remarkable to observe.

  • "When you think you Know - You Don't"
  • "When you think you're Good - You're Not"

He banged the point home with a sledgehammer, again and again.
You will never get better - "Kaizen cannot occur - If you think you know or think you are good" - he would always say.

Humility and Kaizen must dance together.

Kaizen - Continuous Improvement was what I wanted - and he knew it.

Humility was essential.



Humility.



Kaizen.


That's what I needed to learn from Kenzo Matsuzaki.

Learn more about Kaizen:

Kaizen - wikipedia article




No comments: