Institutionalize Shu-ha-ri for sustained growth

In the last decade the noise around forming and dissolving of businesses has reached deafening levels. Even though the ecosystem world wide is incubating new/disruptive ideas at lightening speed and there are success stories to celebrate, a large number of businesses are struggling to traverse the rough waters and many are drowning rapidly. The news breaks about troubled times for star performing businesses doesn’t surprise anyone anymore since it’s no longer a one-off case and has become the norm. One of the primary causes of failure is the fatal undercurrent of non-conformance to fundamentals that is flowing under the newly formed businesses which at some point explodes resulting into catastrophes.

The blame game can’t be played here only from a singular point of view because on one hand there is immense pressure on capturing market and on the other hand there is the challenge of building a sustainable business model. In the race to the top, this thin line of separation has become so bleak that the best of steering committees are finding it difficult to balance both sides due to the complexities involved.

Though these challenges are not new to businesses and have been around for ages, the intensity with which they are banging on the door now is multi-fold. Such times call for disruptive measures but at the same time they also warrant some insight into proven models from the past. Shu-ha-ri is one of such models from past which can be very effective in laying strong foundations.

Shuhari is a Japanese martial art (particularly Aikido) concept and describes the stages of learning to mastery.

Shu      - "protect", "obey"

ha          - "detach", "digress"

ri            - "leave", "separate"

Shu-ha-ri roughly translates to "first learn, then detach, and finally transcend."

Phase-1 “Shu” : Learn and imbibe. This phase is only and only about putting all the energy towards learning of the new skill/area and investing adequate amount of time towards understanding the basics. Go through this phase thoroughly as knowledge of the core will form the base for your future flight. Its utmost important to keep all the deviating ideas/thoughts at bay during this phase as they can dilute the learning.

Phase-2 “ha” : Branch out. Now it’s time to start detaching from the specific learning and looking at the bigger picture. Look at integrating the pieces together from the surroundings and expanding the view, this is crucial for exploring areas of opportunities. Tread diligently through this phase to explore the eco-system as a whole and start identifying the areas of interest.

Phase-3 “ri” : Break free, fly high. You are the master and the next set of learnings will come from within and not outside. This is the phase for introspection and brainstorming to create your unique value proposition. Finding your niche happens here as you realize your strengths and put a plan in place to achieve the goals. This phase is not where the journey ends, rather this is the start of iterative reinvention.

To me, the idea of Shu-ha-ri provides the right approach towards learning/starting anything new. At the start a variety of ideas may act more like deterrents and may not always be helpful. Once the basics are understood firmly it leads to exploration in a meaningful manner and then it can show the path towards constant evolution and innovation. So, this model if imbibed in the business DNA conscientiously can ascertain positive outcome and provide sustained growth.