Jim Bouchard presents The Sensei Leader, arguing that courage, compassion, and wisdom make leaders who serve others over ego. He went from dropout to leader through deliberate practice, using the dojo principle: knocked down seven times, get up eight.
I'm Jim Bouchard, and I'm here to talk about my new book, The Sensei Leader. I don't get deeply into the academic or the technical side of leadership theory. There's plenty of information out there on that. I talk about the human side of leadership, the essential characteristics you need to be an effective leader, and the relationships that define leadership. I do share some of the key strategies and tactics that I learned along the way, but again, I'm focused on the human side of leadership, especially courage, compassion, and wisdom. For example, one of my strategies is be tough yet compassionate. Too many people confuse compassion with weakness. It couldn't be more opposite. Genuine compassion always comes from strength. You need strength to set aside your ego and to really focus on the needs and desires of the people who trust you. It's not an autobiography, but I do share a lot of my own stories and the experiences that shaped me as a person and as a leader. Leaders are definitely not born. Some are made in the sense that you can train certain characteristics and behaviors that can help you be a better leader. But more important, leaders are transformed. You're gonna go one of two ways. Either you're gonna face up to it and you're gonna do what needs to be done, or Or are you going to wait for someone else to do it? The people who step up are transformed, and they become the leaders. That's why I share my backstory about being a loser and a dropout. By all rights, I should be dead or in jail. I'm very proud that I made that transformation, and I can tell you from the heart that if I can do it, so can you. I do share some stories from the dojo, but very few of them are about fighting. It's about learning the process, about learning how to do something difficult and sticking with it. Knock down 7 times, get up 8. That's an essential ideal for a leader. Yes, that's a theme I want people to take away from the book and from my workshops, that a leader is someone with the ability to attract willing followers. And the will to serve them. And the best leaders are leaders by example. That type of leader can be above you, below you, or standing right beside you. Sum it all up: listen more, learn more, fear less.
The Sensei Leader is now available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions, or order direct at thatblackbeltguy.com. Volume discounts available for your organization on orders as low as 10 copies. Jim Bouchard also presents the Sensei Leader as a keynote for your next meeting or conference and as half and full-day workshops for your business or association. Call 800-786-8502 for details.
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