Grandiose!!

[sensei8]

Grandiose!! That's how I'd describe, as of late, the Executive Team of the Shindokan Hombu. I'd even say that the Shindokan Hombu's Executive Team was suffering from grandiose delusions.

Here's why, imho.

Speaking with the current Kancho last night, the Hombu is wanting me to reassume my previous Hombu duties as Chief Instructor of the Hombu. Why? "Because you're the highest ranking in Shindokan!"

I hung up the phone!

Kancho calls me back almost immediately and asked me to hear him out before I hang up on him again. With reservation, I listened.

Here's his swiss cheese of an arguement...

1) Soke passed away 2 years ago....(Yeah)

2) Dai-Soke just passed away....(Yeah)

3) Newly elected San Dai-Soke isn't Judan....(Why?)

4) Newly elected Kaicho isn't Kudan....(Again...why?)

Dumb reasons, imho!!

I'm retired and that's that! Yes, Soke and Dai-Soke are no longer with us and yes, they were both Judan. But, to me, they were more than rank and title; they always have been and they always will be to me. Don't start a conversation with me with the words..."Rank"...and..."Title" because those things have nothing to do with the worth of the martial artist; no, it's knowledge that's paramount, and it's to the betterment that's paramount to me as well.

Why hasn't the new San Dai-Soke, who's the son of our late Dai-Soke, assumed/accepted the rank of Judan, as it's written within the By-Laws? No, Soke's don't have to be the highest ranking in the ryu, but, that specific title per our By-Laws as written requires that the "Soke" must hold a Judan...automatically!

When our Soke retired shortly before his death, our then Kaicho became the new Dai-Soke and the only Menkyo Kaiden, and in that, our Dai-Soke was promoted from Kudan to Judan by the outgoing Soke according to our By-Laws!

Then, I was promoted from the Director of the Board of Regents to Kaicho, but, I refused anything that smelled like a rank promotion because I didn't want it! I've never wanted Kudan, I never sought out for it, and as a matter of fact, I've never sought out for any Yudansha rank after Sandan for personal reasons. I sought out for Sandan because Sandan is the accepted rank required to open a dojo under the Shindokan Chartership. On another note, I cherish my Hanshi title much more than my two Hachidan's because titles like, Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi are very extremely rare and in that, one can't test for those. Those titles are bestowed upon by the Hombu ONLY!! My refusal of Kudan infuriated our Dai-Soke because it went againt his wishes, that he finally came to accept, understand, and respect, and it was against the By-Laws.

The new Kaicho per our By-Laws is to be promoted to Kudan. Our new Kaicho is Hachidan currently, yet, he's refused the Kudan promotion for his own personal reasons. It appears that I've started something by refusing what's been ordained in our By-Laws. Sorry!

The Hombu DOESN'T need to do anything. The Executive Team is solid. The new San Dai-Soke, the new Kaicho/Chief Instructor, and the new Kancho [btw, this administrative title isn't required a rank promotion; only Soke and Kaicho] are solid individuals who are also great leaders, and more importantly, they're very extremely solid karateka's across the board. The Hombu and the student body is in great hands under these three, albeit, temporarily confused.

The only reason I'm the so-called highest ranking is because the new appointees, Mr. Takahashi and Mr. Forsythe, have refused their new rank promotions, Judan and Kudan respectively, and therefore, I'm the highest ranking Shindokanist, by...6 months: I started learning Shindokan under Takahashi Sensei 6 months before Mr. Forsythe did, and by some freak thing or two, I was also promoted to Hachidan in Shindokan Karate-do 6 months before Mr. Forsythe. Yes, these are facts, but, again, they're dumb reasons...sorry...illadvised reasons.

What's grandiose about the whole thing is that the Executive Team is looking at rank and it's supposed importantance. STOP IT!! I'm happy to be Kaiso [senior Advisor] and I'M RETIRED!! Imho, what the Hombu needs to do is LEAD and not look to rank...EVER!! I don't want to be the highest ranking of anything...IT MEANS NOTHING TO ME!!

Our conversation ended with me...yes...hanging up on Kancho again because our conversation wasn't making any progress, and/or any sense to me. The Hombu can do what they want to do, but, it better not include me in any grandiose plans.

Aaaaarrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

I'm completly disappointed in my Hombu!

Edited September 30, 2010 by sensei8

[Jeffrey]

I'm not going to lie. I really enjoyed reading your rant. I now know that I'm not the only one that finds the political policies that interfere with the martial arts disgusting.

My suggestion to you is write a letter to the Hombu with an outline of what you think should be done and why. The written word is a powerful tool because they can’t tune you out and can’t interrupt. Basically state your case on paper. Make sure everyone is included. This helps discouraging other from forming their own poisons to dish out as they please.

[ps1]

Sorry to hear your troubles. This is common, however, once the leader of an organization dies. Have you considered offering your services as a consultant until the Hombu becomes reorganized? This may serve well to both keep you retired but allowing you to pass on how to run the system to those who are clearly a bit lost. This is very common for company presidents and CEOs to do before they really get to lay back and enjoy retirement.

Good luck and I hope things turn out for the best.

[DWx]

Maybe writing a letter in is the way to go. Sounds frustrating to say the least. Least you're standing by your principles and it seems to be brushing off too. How does rank affect your ability to run things anyway? Our org's current leader doesn't even have a 9th gup... he was brought in partly because he had no rank and so supposedly wasn't going to get tied up in petty rank politics.

[bushido_man96]

I think Jeffey has a good idea. I'd consider that, and see if it helps in any way.

[isshinryu5toforever]

That would be extremely frustrating. You have no interest in politics, you're retired, and they're asking you to come back. You could be a little flattered that they want you back, and they remember you haha.

But I'll echo what everyone else said. Write a carefully thought out letter explaining yourself, and they should be able to take that into consideration.

[bushido_man96]

Part of the problem could be not necessarily the "grandioseness," but it could be related to the fact that it was the only way things were done, and they don't understand how it can be any other way. So, instead of rocking the boat, they are looking for that familiar equillibrium. Remember, humans tend to be creatures of habit, and change can be tough for many.

[JiuJitsuNation]

Sensei8, I have to say I'm a bit confused. You have many years experience, you are currently bored out of your skull, you obviously disagree with the way things are being done and you have stated that they are lost and or confused. The way I see it is they are looking to you for all the right reasons, but maybe chose the wrong words. I would say any conversation would probably use the same references as your personal feelings on things are just that yours and they are quite possibly oblivious to the way you feel or see things. Seems you are in a position to lead at a point in your life in which you are most qualified to do so. I believe you could lead them in the right direction and make some lasting changes and impressions. Of course if you are not interested then I understand. At the same time I myself don't quite understand it entirely as you do so i'm aware there is a lot that I am unaware of lol

[Jeffrey]

Part of the problem could be not necessarily the "grandioseness," but it could be related to the fact that it was the only way things were done, and they don't understand how it can be any other way. So, instead of rocking the boat, they are looking for that familiar equillibrium. Remember, humans tend to be creatures of habit, and change can be tough for many.

Agreed! Change can be difficult at the best of times. Sometimes the boat has to flip before you learn how to swim.

[Kruczek]

Excellent post, and I applaud you for sticking to your guns. All too often we see the politics of Karate messing up the Karate itself. While I don't know if you will fix anything - I am glad you are not contributing to the stupidity.