Children are dependent on their parents, adults can operate independently from others, and professionals understand the importance of interdependence to get to Dream Team status. Interdependence is the connectivity of systems, or people, to accomplish a goal, vision, or mission for an organization. Fostering an understanding of interdependence across the team will instill a sense of self-worth, expectation, and ownership across the team, reaching a high-performance level, relative to how a NASCAR Pit-crew, or pro sports teams function.
Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, the better for us all.” ~Erik Erikson, Childhood and Society
Humans are social beings and accepting that everyone contributes to society in their own way will surely make the world a better place. I’ve had the privilege to be a part of entities which have to embrace interdependence as an ideology and it’s made me a better person for my family, profession, and every team I’m associated with. If the concept of interdependence was not a core value of the military, it would not be nearly as effective as it is today.
Complex interdependence theory is defined as a mutual dependence between transnational actors due to growing ties that make each one vulnerable to each other’s actions.”
Waheeda Rana, “Theory of Complex Interdependence: A Comparative Analysis of Realist and Neoliberal Thoughts,” International Journal of Business and Social Science 6 (February 2015): 291.
Inspiration
This past week my unit conducted a Command Post Exercise to stress systems in a time-constrained environment. This involved a rep with the rest of the staff members with the Military Decision Making Process. In short, the experience is equivalent to Sim City, Dungeons and Dragons, and Live-action Role Playing (LARP) all in one grand experience. If the staff does not come together and prioritize mission accomplishment over their own War-fighting Function, there will be a higher probability of generating a poor plan that will put the unit at risk of failing to accomplish the mission. The phrase, “it’s not my job” will surely sink the battleship and could cause the brigade commander to restart the planning process all over again to, which would be timely and painfully emotional event for everyone.
Proof of Principle
Since the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) hit the U.S. this year, it’s been apparent our society was not equipped to make it through this pandemic alone. Corporate America and federal organizations had to adjust to a demand of social-distancing and face-covering procedures, along with an extensive tele-work culture. This does not even scratch the surface of all the small businesses that suffered to the point of closing doors due to being on the brink of bankruptcy. There was, however, a singular technique used which helped struggling small businesses weather the storm.
Community partnership, a method of consolidating resources collectively for a mutual benefit to a desired objective, survival in this case. Emphasizing interdependence and adaptability helped my gym, Zen Martial Arts El Paso, weather the storm and come out on top. It was a great demonstration of Entrepreneurial Leadership without a doubt.
Entrepreneurial leadership is the concept of influencing and directing performance of an organization’s members to identify and capitalize on new opportunities.”
Mozhdeh Mozhdeh, Gi G. Tan, Amin Vakilbashi, Nor Aiza Mohd Zamil, and Rohaida Basiruddin, “Impact of Entrepreneurial Leadership on Organization Demand for Innovation: Moderating Role of Employees’ Innovative Self-Efficacy,” International Review of Management and Marketing 6, no. 3 (2016): 418.
Every aspect of the Zen Martial Arts approach was coupled with amplifying sister martial arts academies on their social media platforms along with those of its members. This technique inspired loyalty and ensured the return of its members once the restriction of gym use was lifted in El Paso. Furthermore, members of Zen Martial Arts were brought into help work through alternative options for training such as virtual training sessions and additional classes by subject-matter experts that were associated with the academy. Not only is Zen Martial Arts in good shape, it continues to grow its client base. It’s fitting I use my academy as the case study because jiu-jitsu is a passion of mine, and also because this week marked my Rollerversary.
Rollerversary
It’s been six years, Aug. 7, since I began my jiu-jitsu journey in 2014 at 10th Planet Kansas City. I remember those formative months when I used to think of every reason not to go to practice because of my fear of getting rolled up in some other pretzel form, I’ve never seen before. The gentle art journey is self-paced and is designed to challenge you mentally, physically, and emotionally every step of the way. If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t keep doing it, and I simply want to say thank you to all of my teammates, coaches, and professors who have gotten me to this point.
One of the most important lessons learned is to trust the process. There is no shortcut at any phase of mastering the Arte Suave, nor should there be. To put things in perspective, many novice, or potential practitioners, wonder how long it takes to earn a black belt? It’s often the goal of every pajama wrestler to wrap a black belt around his or her waist eventually, but did you know it takes a minimum of 30 years as a black belt at no less than 50 years of age, by the International Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Graduation System to qualify for that honor.
Recap
The concept of interdependence runs strong in my journey. I will do my part for my mat family, because they have done so much to make me the best version of myself for my family and my profession. It’s reciprocal, I am challenged mentally, physically, and emotionally in all aspects of my life. My family, profession, and combat sports therapy work in concert to present challenges and opportunities for me to grow at each phase of my life. I’m a fortunate man, and I am grateful to have the experiences which have made me the person I am today. One team, one family!
