Melanie Gibson Class Diaries, Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

Leaders Let Others Soar

Balance Bikes Overtake Training Wheels for Teaching Young Riders - NBC News
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Like most children first learning how to ride a bike, I used training wheels. The more confident I became, the more I enjoyed riding my bike, within the parameters of the training wheels of course.

One day my dad was helping me ride my bike without training wheels. At first I was afraid I might fall. But in a seamless moment, my dad let go. The moment of joyously soaring down the driveway is etched into my memory. I felt like I could do anything. After that, I loved riding for miles with my brother and friends (it was the 1980s in rural West Texas, so riding bikes all over town was no big deal).

Sometimes all it takes for someone to soar is for their leader to let go.

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Melanie Gibson Self-Development and Leadership, Work and Martial Arts

The Satisfying Alternative to Leadership

Over the course of my career, people ranging from my dad to multiple bosses have asked, encouraged, and even pressured me to pursue leadership positions. Many seemed surprised or baffled at my aversion to it. Twenty years into my tenure at my company and nearly thirty years of being employed in some fashion, I can still say with confidence: NOPE.

And that’s not a bad thing.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers

Guest Post: How to Secure a Job in the Martial Arts Industry

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Article by Emma Grace Brown from https://emmagracebrown.com/

If you would like to be a guest writer for Little Black Belt, please review these guidelines.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, My Guest Posts, Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

My Guest Post: How to Train Leaders Before They Become Black Belts

I’ve worked in leadership development for ten years, but I’ve learned just as much or even more about leadership “on the mat” in my martial arts training. In martial arts, we don’t wait until someone is in the job of a leader (i.e., a black belt) to help them build their leadership skills.

In this month’s Martial Journal article, “How to Train Leaders Before They Become Black Belts,” my former taekwondo master (Sabumnim) and I share tips on developing leaders before they even get close to testing for black belt.

This post is a nice story about one of my last training sessions with my Sabumnim.

Melanie Gibson Mental Health

The Power of a Teacher

Over the last month, two of my friends and mentors died suddenly. One was my classical guitar teacher and the other was a taekwondo master from my former dojang. Both men in their early/mid-sixties, they were taken from their loved ones too quickly and too soon. They were both gentle and patient. They both made a big impact on me and the things I love to spend my time doing. They will both be missed by many.

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Melanie Gibson Self-Development and Leadership, Work and Martial Arts

Black Belt Bravery: Be Honest About What You Want and Don’t Want

saying no

Recently my Master asked me if I wanted to do competition (forms and board breaking) or focus on testing for third Dan. Without hesitation I said I wanted to focus on third Dan. Breaking boards is fun as hell, but I’m not interested in competing. Continue reading “Black Belt Bravery: Be Honest About What You Want and Don’t Want” →

Melanie Gibson Self-Development and Leadership, Work and Martial Arts

Giving More By Taking Back

metal heart.jpg

“I’m very cautious about who has access to me lately. And it’s not out of arrogance. It’s out of the need to protect my space and energy as I continue to do the work to elevate myself. This chapter requires me to be a little less accessible.”

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Melanie Gibson Self-Development and Leadership, Work and Martial Arts

Keeping It Fresh…Or, How To Be An Engaging Public Speaker

public speaking

Last Friday I was helping a coworker set up for a class he was teaching. It was one we had both taught at least ten times in the past and would teach many more times in the future. Before the class started he was jokingly saying to me and my manager that he was nervous.

You have to understand my coworker–he is larger than life, an incredible presenter, a talented singer, and a Toastmasters competitor. Public speaking is not something new or foreign to him.

“Is it stage fright?” I asked.

“No,” he said. “It’s a good kind of nervous. I always get this way before a class because I don’t want it to be stale. I want it to feel like the first time I’m teaching it for this audience.”
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Melanie Gibson Class Diaries, Training Tips

Do You Speak Korean in Your Dojang?

speak Korean

“Come on, guys, let’s count in Korean,” I said with mock exasperation. A few nights ago my instructor had given me and my fellow classmates (teenage black belts) a series of exercises to do for our warm-up: jumping jacks, squats, mountain climbers, and push-ups. We were instructed to count out loud so we could stay together. I gritted my teeth though counting the first set of jumping jacks in English–it made me feel like a white belt–and spoke up as soon as I had the chance.

Saying, “Hana, dool, set…” never felt so sweet.*

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Melanie Gibson Work and Martial Arts

When Starting is More Difficult Than Finishing

FirstStep

I can win a game of pool, but I’m not very good at starting one. Let’s just be real–I’m terrible at breaking. I can never seem to get enough power to create a smooth and clean strike. More often than not, the cue ball barely moves the rack of balls, and sometimes I end up scratching. The last time I did a decent break had more to do with the extra-smooth surface of the table I was playing on than any of my technique.

Come to think of it, I could never get the hang of serving in a tennis match either. Sure, I could chase after the ball and lob it over the net, but starting the game on a strong note always seemed to elude me.
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