Exposing Frauds in Martial Arts

There is a growing movement in martial arts that works to expose frauds and fakes. It works to "out" those with no skills so as not to mislead vulnerable people into believing them. As long term martial artists who have put in the many years of hard work, isn't it our duty to expose frauds? After all, no one likes a charlatan!

At first glance this movement, seems great. Unfortunately, the practice of "outing" others has the potential to be much more dangerous than the positive it seems to attempts to accomplish.

In fact, it can be a breeding ground for bullying and politics in martial arts. The reality is that there are a lot of egotistic martial arts teachers out there. Many seek to judge and then belittle others based on their limited views of correctness simply as a play for power. This is politics at its worst.

What's more, some of the most experienced and skillful martial artists choose to engage in this. They assume their years of experience and know-how give them some kind of right to put down and belittle others. 

But let me put it very simply in order to make myself clear...
there is never a good reason to put down someone else! 

The world is full of all kinds of people. Unless directed at us, what they do ultimately has no bearing on us. As martial artists and leaders of others, we must be examples not judges. 

I teach my students not to talk bad about others, as I believe every leader of any group should. 

It doesn't matter how bad you think someone else is or how poor you assess their abilities to be.

What matters is how YOU treat people and how hard YOU work. 

Talking bad about others specifically shows YOUR poor character, not theirs.

Regardless of how skilled you become, character is always more important than ability!

Keep it simple. Work hard and treat people right.

What else is there?


Posted by Adam Williss, Founder of The Dragon Institute

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There is a growing movement in martial arts that works to expose frauds and fakes. It works to "out" those with no skills so as not to mislead vulnerable people into believing them. As long term martial artists who have put in the many years of hard work, isn't it our duty to expose frauds? After all, no one likes a charlatan! At first glance this movement, seems great. Unfortunately, the practice of "outing" others has the potential to be much more dangerous than the positive it seems to attempts to accomplish. In fact, it can be a breeding ground for bullying and politics in martial arts. The reality is that there are a lot of egotistic martial arts teachers out there. Many seek to judge and then belittle others based on their limited views of correctness simply as a play for power. This is politics at its worst. What's more, some of the most experienced and skillful martial artists choose to engage in this. They assume their years of experience and know-how give them some kind of right to put down and belittle others.  But let me put it very simply in order to make myself clear... there is never a good reason to put down someone else!  The world is full of all kinds of people. Unless directed at us, what they do ultimately has no bearing on us. As martial artists and leaders of others, we must be examples not judges.  I teach my students not to talk bad about others, as I believe every leader of any group should.  It doesn't matter how bad you think someone else is or how poor you assess their abilities to be. What matters is how YOU treat people and how hard YOU work.  Talking bad about others specifically shows YOUR poor character, not theirs. Regardless of how skilled you become, character is always more important than ability! Keep it simple. Work hard and treat people right. What else is there? Posted by Adam Williss, Founder of The Dragon Institute