TEBABlog

“Sensei” is a Japanese  honorific  which is roughly equivalent to “gentleman” or “Mr.” in English, although the Japanese refer to both men and women as “sensei.” This honorific is used as a mark of respect to someone who is regarded as a teacher, mentor, or authority. Practitioners of art forms native to Japan may address their instructors as “sensei,” whether or not their teachers are Japanese. This term can mean “teacher” or “master.” Lawyers, doctors, and teachers are addressed with this honorific, and the term is also used to describe someone who has achieved a high level of skill in the arts, or someone who is regarded as an authority on an art form such as music, dance, painting, or poetry. Many skilled artists and artisans in Japan are also teachers, making the term especially appropriate. In disciplines such as  martial arts  and religious practice, this term is used to refer to high ranking individuals and instructors, and the most widespread use of this...

We have all met them. Those unique Karate teachers that make everything feel like instant enlightenment. Those sensei who have a seemingly magical ability to repeatedly find critical points of improvement in an art that we’ve been practising for years. Those sensei who always make you feel safe and happy in the dojo, yet somehow manage to push your limits above and beyond what you thought was even possible (often without you even noticing!). Those sensei who, not unlike a burning candle, consume themselves to light the way for others. (If you haven’t met a sensei like this, don’t worry. You were probably just too busy to notice.) But how do they do it? How do these inspiring individuals find ways to constantly improve and encourage their students to become the best they can be? There has to be a secret recipe! Well, I’ve had this theory on my mind for some time now… And I think I’ve found the answer: I call it the “Shin-Gi-Tai of Teaching”. That’s right. Shin. ...

Back in 2002, Alistair Cockburn wrote about three levels  of practice: learn, detach, transcend that we can apply to our listening, reading and coaching. He used  Shu-Ha-Ri  from Aikido to illustrate that these three levels of practice are found in other skill areas. Shu, the student copies techniques without adapting them. Ha, the student reflects on what has been learned and breaks free from traditions. Ri, the student is now a practitioner extending the art. In the 2nd edition of  Agile Software Development , Alistair adds "You can apply Shu-Ha-Ri to designing courses and writing technique materials." Although he takes care to say "Organize your material to reassure the advanced people in your course that it is not being presented as a cure-all, but simply as another technique in the toolbox of the professional. .. But before you finish, put the technique into a larger context so that the beginners can start to see where they will expand to and so t...