Lessons from Aikido: Workplace Conflict Management

Nigel Carruthers-Taylor

Who am I? Director and Principal Consultant

iCognition Pty Ltd Information Management Consultancy and

Implementation Company 12 staff, several part time contractors Offices in Canberra & Sydney. Melbourne

soon

Aikido 3rd Dan 25 years practice Two years study in Japan

What is Aikido?

ai ki doai – harmonyki – energydo - way

What is Aikido? a modern Japanese martial art (1930’s-

40’s)

consolidated in post WWII Japan

the founder, Morihei Ueshiba, called it the Art of Peace: ‘techniques of harmony, not contention… a

way of avoiding fighting and war.’

Aikido

teaches self-defence

but the greater essence includes: How to resolve conflict positively Learning to let go of fear Combines physical and mental control

Some Aikido Techniques (1)

© WESTBROOK, A. AND O.

RATTI

Some Aikido Techniques (2)

© WESTBROOK, A. AND O.

RATTI

Some Aikido Techniques (3)

© WESTBROOK, A. AND O.

RATTI

What is noticeable? No blocking ‘merging’ of movement

‘Go with the flow’ Non-resistance Neither passive nor aggressive

Definitely assertive Not really win/win, but not really

win/lose

Why Non-Resistance? Each action causes a similar or greater

reaction Force vs Force = Greater Force Wins and/or Loss = Determination to Seek Revenge

Sometimes we don’t have the greater force

We don’t need enemies (more than we already have?)

Non-Resistance

Going with your opponents puts you into a position of power Takes you off the path of conflict Helps you understand your opponent Empathises with them Allows you to walk them in the right

direction

What stops us doing this?

Fear

Wanting to dominate

Needing to control

How to stop fear - Centering Harmony of mind and body is required

Where does your body and mind unify? Asians believe it is the pit of the abdomen Makes sense – it’s where the kidneys and

liver are

From center our awareness extends out

Acknowledgements

Illustrations from: Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere,

WESTBROOK, A. AND O. RATTI

Aikido Kenkyu Kai club: www.aikidocanberra.com