The Randori Principles : The Path of Effortless Leadership - Hardcover

Baum, David H.; Hassinger, Jim

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0793148626 ISBN 13: 9780793148622

Publisher: Kaplan Publishing, 2002

Synopsis

Randori/ ran-door-ee/ v. (from the Japanese martial art Aikido) means to be in the right place, with the right technique, at the right time, with the right level of power.

 

Out of the chaos of business change, mergers, acquisitions, and upheavals, leaders continually seek practical new ways of thinking about-and doing-business. Many will identify with this description: “Suddenly you are attacked from multiple directions at once, seemingly with no pattern or reason. Unrelenting, simultaneous, and armed, the attacks keep coming.”

 

The solution draws from ancient Aikido principles. It is called Randori.

 

In the above attack, consider: “Instead of panicking or flailing, you respond effortlessly and impeccably. Each movement, each technique you bring forward perfectly parries every force you encounter. You flow with the attacks, almost without thought, and in doing so rise brilliantly above the flurry of opposition.” THAT is Randori.

Applying The Randori Principles to business is a perfect match, for Aikido is about mastering the chaos of multiple attacks, the scenario facing companies daily. Leaders will learn to:

• Apply the right action, right timing, and right use of power.

• Bring focus to leadership.

• Master Irimi-the use of the single sword strike.

• Turn resistance into collaboration.

• Know when to disengage.

Coauthors Baum and Hassinger identify essential techniques and encourage heightened awareness in 60 time-tested management lessons. Their fast-paced and refreshingly brief scenarios are rich with action ideas to try.

About this title

About the Author

With 20-plus years of experience as a consultant, David Baum provides clients with innovative, creative solutions to change. Drawing on a rich and varied background from experience as a clown, to resolving conflicts in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to revitalizing Native American communities, Baum is sought after by such clients as Shell Oil, Condé Nast, Barclays Bank, Johnson & Johnson, and Outward Bound.

Jim Hassinger holds a black belt in Aikido and has spent the past 12 years applying the principles of this innovative martial art to organizational performance. With more than 20 years’ experience as a business consultant, he is sought by corporate leaders for his wise counsel. Such clients as Avid Technology, Disney, Fleet Bank, Lotus Development, Liberty Mutual Funds, and Hewlett-Packard have benefited from the coaching of this master of integration.

From the Inside Flap

What Is Randori?

Randori (/ran-'door-ee/ v.; from the Japanese martial art aikido) means to be in the right place, with the right technique, at the right time, with the right level of power. Through nearly 60 insightful, entertaining anecdotes, lessons, and stories, authors David Baum and Jim Hassinger illustrate how the randori principles can be applied to the heart of successful business leadership.

Business—as in aikido—is more than just the rote performance of essential knowledge. The true master (or great business leader) studies his or her environment, tracks challenges, and maintains a sense of internal balance. By doing so, he or she can quickly decide what to do, what level of force to use, and the best time to take action. Otherwise, by applying wrong technique, wrong timing, or inappropriate force, unnecessary resistance or struggle will likely be encountered. And, while few executives have actually lost their heads in corporate battle, many have lost their jobs over the misuse of action, timing, or application.

Consider the following: A multi-billion-dollar global bank is changing its customer model to one of market management. An international oil company is implementing a new $200 million information system. A small foundation needs to respond to multiple simultaneous requests for funding. A health care system wants to transform its care delivery system in the midst of a hostile reimbursement environment. These are all clients with whom the authors have worked and, in doing so, have brought forward the “spirit” of randori.

In aikido, when you are so present that all the techniques you know are evenly available to you, it is said: “The fight is over before it begins.” The same is also true in business.

Reviews

Consultants Baum and Hassinger apply stories from the Japanese martial art aikido and the wisdom of anthropologist Angeles Arrien to develop leadership skills. Taken from aikido, randori means being in the right place at the right time with the right techniques and the right level of power. The authors have developed what they term randori principles to establish a path of effortless leadership that can create extraordinary results. Section one presents the philosophy of randori, sections two and three address different ways to enhance leadership and minimize resistance and struggle, and sections four and five look at the impact of decisive and deliberate moves and the skill of disengagement. The final section, devoted to being advanced as a leader, includes suggestions for developing the soul of a warrior, becoming a worthy adversary, understanding that today's leadership skills won't be good enough tomorrow, and generating the full-hearted commitment necessary for effortless success. With leadership being a mix of art and science, many will find the authors' approach intriguing. Mary Whaley
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Edition details

• Publisher: Kaplan Publishing
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0793148626
• ISBN 13: 9780793148622
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240