How Aikido Principles Shape Entrepreneurship – Aikido Journal

Feras is a 3rd-degree black belt in Aikido and is an assistant instructor and a youth instructor at Aikido Silicon Valley.

Feras’ first foray into entrepreneurship started with a layoff notice from the cutting-edge tech startup that he had joined after moving to Silicon Valley. This catalyst led him to found, grow, and sell businesses in Silicon Valley and abroad, scaling them from zero revenue to 7 and 8 figures.  Feras has since served as an advisor to 150+ founders. In his current venture, Start Up With Feras, he’s on a mission to help entrepreneurs in the consulting and services space start and grow their businesses smarter and stronger.  He’s also an author, speaker, and board member, and he continues his lifelong dedication to nonprofits.

In this article, Feras shares his perspective on the parallels he’s discovered between Aikido and entrepreneurship.

Though I had dabbled with a few other martial arts prior, I have been committed to Aikido and training at Aikido Silicon Valley for the last 15 years. For several years now, I have also been an assistant instructor and a youth instructor. I earned my sandan (3rd degree black belt) a few years ago, but I still don’t consider myself an Aikido authority. My Aikido training has, in any case, served me well, both on the mat and off the mat, in my personal life, and in my professional life. 

Since 2003, I have started and built 7 businesses, some growing to 7 and 8 figures. My first couple of ventures had humble beginnings. My business partner and I sold to small local businesses, barely making it, but we learned how to scale up and gradually expanded our client list to include some of the world’s most recognized brands such as Google and Salesforce, as well as the US government. None of this would have been possible without hard work, ongoing learning, and the martial arts training I was undertaking at the same time. I continue to be fascinated by the parallels I see between Aikido and business.

On the mat, we learn techniques and attacks, we practice blending, we experience Ki and harmony, we hone etiquette, and we develop mental toughness. If someone confronts us, we get out of the way and redirect their energy elsewhere (or as one of our senseis at the dojo says, “we introduce them to the mat :)”. Through all this, we establish friendships and camaraderie that spans geography and culture. And we come to understand the fluid reception of energy that represents a harmonization of wills and forms the foundation of Aikido. This unique and empowering dynamic can also form the foundation of a successful new business where client relationships are critical.

This article highlights 3 of the 8 martial arts principles that have inspired and guided me in my journey as an entrepreneur and that can also help you build a stronger business or a successful career.  If you have further interest, you can learn about the other 5 principles in the video accompanying this article.

If you happen to stumble upon this article and if you’re not a martial artist or you’re new to martial arts, these principles are still very applicable.

Principle 1: Know your opponent’s mind

Our evolution as a species dictates that we see situations primarily through our own narrow, self-centered standpoint. Aikido teaches us to instead consider a confrontation from the opponent’s perspective, grasping their strengths and vulnerabilities, and rechanneling their energy.  On the spot and in the heat of the moment, one must react (or, phrased differently, take an initiative without anticipating) to get out of the way, blend, and then apply a technique to bring an encounter to a favorable resolution. 

Business forces us to face at least two types of opposing energy. The first is actual competitors vying for the same customers. Especially when you’re just starting out, it’s important to carefully and objectively assess your competitors so you can see the landscape from their viewpoint and articulate a value proposition that is unique in the market.

The second source of opposing energy is leads and clients themselves. They want to satisfy a legitimate business need, and they may be striving for the strongest and most advantageous position relative to yourself as the service provider.

Understand, respect, and appreciate these motivations. They can benefit you as much as they benefit the client. Listen to their needs with empathy, harness their energy, propose and deliver good solutions, and strengthen your standing as a trusted advisor and a catalyst for change.

Principle 2: Learn from mentors and peers (and beginners)

No matter how many videos of O’Sensei, Saito Sensei, or other senseis you watch, you’re not going to learn Aikido just from YouTube. Martial arts involve hand-to-hand interaction, sometimes with peers, sometimes with practitioners at different levels. This direct engagement provides endless opportunities to observe and learn how to achieve results with less energy, effort, and resistance. 

In our dojo, we encourage beginning students to train with the most senior students. I remember when I started training, and I was seated on the far left of the line, as soon as the sensei bowed to start the class, I’d run to the far right of the line and train with the most senior student. I did that for months, every time I could. (Sometimes other beginners beat me to it.) The proficiency in execution, guidance, and patience demonstrated by the senior students were humbling to a beginner like me, and invaluable to my training and growth. 

As I later advanced in rank, I started to train beginners. I was surprised to discover the many learning opportunities for me as a more senior student to learn from the novices. They don’t move in a way you expect them to, they ask questions you don’t have answers to, and they react to attacks and techniques in ways you haven’t thought of.  Similarly, you’re not going to get a handle on business by just asking ChatGPT or Google Gemini or the latest AI tool to sell for you or deliver services. You have to seek out chances to interact with other real people and learn in the field.

You can ask an expert in your industry to serve as an advisor. You can pay other consultants who will help you fill specific knowledge gaps. Or you can meet someone at an industry event who casually imparts a key insight. I’ve learned a lot from others in business, even from gracious competitors. Don’t hesitate to ask, and always remain an attentive and humble disciple.

Principle 3: Focus on your own practice

When you’re starting in Aikido, as important as it is to learn from others, it’s equally important to focus on your own practice. 

Just as you hear from teachers to stay focused and balanced when you’re engaged in a specific technique, it’s equally important to stay centered as you face training partners with different levels of fitness, experience, and natural talent, and as your overall journey inevitably twists and shifts.

If, when you’re reflecting on your training, you don’t feel you’re making progress at the same rate as others, you might develop negative feelings and stop training for a while. Or if you’re injured and feeling less competitive, thoughts of quitting can quickly overwhelm you.  Some comparison is beneficial, but overcomparing diverts your energy from practice and progress.

Likewise, in business, we sometimes behold other people’s achievements without considering the years of struggle they had to overcome. What appears as overnight success has usually taken lots of time and effort. Learn from other successful individuals, but remember the essential truth that no two people’s journeys are hard or easy in the same ways. Walk your own path, step by step, without distraction.

One final thought

Decisiveness is a principle I learned in business, and in martial arts. But when it came to producing this article and its corresponding video, I kept having second thoughts.  We finalized the video concept and script in October 2023 but didn’t record the video till March 2024: 5 months later! I’m still not sure why I was hesitating. I think my reservations were subconscious.

Maybe because I’m putting myself out there, maybe I felt I’d be showing off, or maybe because I think people who know me would be taking jabs at me (much more than they usually do). But as I discussed it with our team, we felt it was important to share this journey with our community, so we proceeded and produced this video.

I would love to hear your comments on the impact that Aikido or another pursuit or practice has had on your life and business. 

I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to my martial arts teachers and fellow practitioners, and to the people in the business community who continue to guide me throughout my journey. (Special thanks to my training partner in the video, Knox.)