Wado Ryu karate was first introduced to Australia by Sensei Wally Maclean in 1967.  Sensei Maclean, an accomplished Judo practitioner operating a Judo school for fifteen years, decided to learn Karate. Why not, at the age of fifty-one?
He commenced his study of karate and in 1966, Sensei Maclean travelled to Japan where he was introduced to one of the leading instructors of the Wado-Ryu style, Sensei Kazuo Sakai.

Sensei Maclean commenced his study of Wado-Ryu at Sensei Sakai’s dojo in Yokohama where he received his Shodan grading. On his return to Melbourne, Sensei Maclean commenced teaching Wado-Ryu Karate in Box Hill in the state of Victoria, Australia. After bringing the Wado style to Australia, Sensei Maclean returned to Japan many times and encouraged his senior students to do likewise. He constantly tried to improve the standard within his dojos and to adhere as close as possible to the correct method of practice and instruction as intended by the Grand Master Hironori Ohtsuka.

I commenced my studies under Sensei Maclean as a teenager.  Wally’s two-hour classes were intense.  Countless pushups and sit-ups, excruciating stretching, hundreds of punches, kicks and throws.  Wally’s classes also included periods of meditation and reflection, where he taught his students the importance of mental and spiritual fortification and discipline.

Sensei Maclean would have been in his late-60’s, possibly early 70’s at the time and my most powerful memory of this ‘old man’ involves a single strike to the chest.
My chest.  Delivered by Sensei Maclean.
At that moment, Sensei Maclean’s movements appeared slow yet measured to me.  Deceptively slow, right up to the point his boulder of a fist made contact with my body.

Instantly, I came to understand what decades of martial arts training and experience result in.  A deep understanding and high level of competence in the art/profession and a big punch.
Today, we might label Wally an ‘expert’ in his field.

Though I considered myself a capable practitioner of Karate at the time, I came to the realisation that, compared to Wally, I was still a white belt – with so much more to learn.  And Wally, the ‘expert’ would help me on my journey towards improving myself.  Without someone like Wally, I might never be able to become the best I could be.

To this day, Wally’s teachings shape the way I carry out my life.  I value tradition, culture, respect for others and physical wellbeing.  No matter how much business and life experience or education I accumulate, I consider myself a white belt of life.  There is always more to learn.  Excellence to continue to strive for.

Sensei Maclean passed away on the 7th of September 2003.  If 2003’s culture was similar  to that of 2018, Wally would have been considered unemployable during the years leading up to his death.  An unfortunate victim of a workforce reduction strategy.

Why? The guy was ‘old’. Younger, probably cheaper teachers could surely take his place. Do the same job. Just as effectively as Wally. Right?

However, in business and in life, who would you rather be taught by, led by and influenced by?  Wally, or a less experienced and learned alternative?

When we cast aside the Sensai’s of this world from the workforce prematurely, we lose more than decades of accumulated knowledge. We also help ensure becoming a master is something many of our young blood, with their enthusiasm, creativity and modern perspective are robbed of.

Consider the consequences of that.

In my opinion, we all should strive to be white belts.  Forever looking forward to learning more.  And when the time comes, hopefully helping the next generation achieve great things.

Would you wish to be the one electing to send Wally to pasture prematurely?

Footnote; I recently joined a karate school after an absence of a few decades (with my eight-year-old son).  My journey begins once more.  It feels great being a white belt again.

#leadership #knowledge #workforce