Tag: The Black Belt in Leadership

Discipline, Resilience, Leadership: A Review of ‘The Black Belt in Leadership’

Leading like a black belt – how martial arts principles can shape modern leaders. Photo: Barnes & Noble

📚Book Review: The Black Belt in Leadership: 20 Tested Lessons from the Dojo to the Boardroom

In The Black Belt in Leadership, Aslak de Silva bridges the worlds of martial arts and corporate leadership with clarity, humility, and practical wisdom. Drawing on his experience as both a world champion martial artist and a two-time multinational CEO, de Silva distills twenty lessons that are just as relevant on the dojo floor as they are in the boardroom.

This book isn’t another collection of recycled business strategies. Instead, de Silva uses martial arts philosophy—discipline, resilience, respect, and continuous learning—to highlight the mindset shifts leaders need to thrive. His stories are engaging and vivid, showing how timeless principles of training, focus, and humility can shape how we manage teams, make decisions under pressure, and build trust.

🥋What’s Inside

  • Part I: The Dojo of Discipline
  • Part II: The Mindset of a Master
  • Part III: The Inner Fight
  • Part IV: The Path Forward

Each section builds on the idea that leadership is not about control but about character, self-awareness, and the ability to stay centered when everything around you feels unstable.

💡Key Highlights

Lesson 4: Progress Over Perfection – The Coachable Leader’s Advantage

True leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about embracing progress. De Silva admits that when he first started in sales, he lacked experience. But as a martial artist, he was coachable, open to feedback, and resilient in the face of correction.

“Martial arts taught me that the moment you think you’re untouchable, someone finds your opening.”

Lesson 5: Leading Through Contradiction in a World That Does Not Make Sense

Leadership means constant change. Success is temporary, and you won’t win every time. What matters most is staying true to your values without hiding behind them as excuses.

“I’ve always done it this way” should never be a reason to stop learning and growing.

Why You Should Read It

The lessons in this book are grounded in lived experience and paired with actionable takeaways. Most chapters end with reflection questions, making it easy to apply insights directly to your life and leadership journey. The conversational tone and straightforward language make it an accessible, inspiring read for anyone—executives, managers, or individuals simply striving to grow.

De Silva reminds us that leadership is less about appearing strong and more about staying centered when the world shakes. Most importantly, the finest leaders are not always the smartest—they’re the ones trained to lead under pressure.

So step into the dojo and pick up your copy of The Black Belt in Leadership. It’s an ultimate guide to leading with power, presence, and principle.

“You do not need a martial arts background to lead like a black belt. But if you want to move with clarity, resilience, and presence—especially under pressure—you need to train like one.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*Thank you to Aslak de Silva for the gifted copy for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.