Underestimate me—that’s your first mistake: leadership Lessons from the mate!

Not long after earning my 1st Degree Black Belt, I was invited by my instructor, Mr. Oliver Miller, to compete as part of a 5-person team at a traditional Karate Kumite tournament at Delta State University. The team was handpicked by his instructor, Grandmaster D.J. Sias—two elite fighters, Mr. Miller himself, and to my surprise, me and fellow student Tom Brocksmith.
 
When we arrived and met the rest of the team, I felt humbled and honored to stand beside some of the best martial artists I had ever seen.
 
The tournament followed Traditional Karate Kumite rules: first to 5 points wins, with standard target zones—except for one. Unlike other tournaments I’d competed in, this one allowed groin strikes.
 
When I was paired with my opponent, I let him know I wasn’t wearing a groin protector and suggested we agree as gentlemen not to strike there. He declined, saying he wanted to follow the rules. I suspected he thought my inexperience with this rule would be a disadvantage.
 
What he didn’t realize: there’s a difference between not knowing something—and choosing not to use it.
 
As we faced off, I used a variation of a front kick (what I knew then as a flip kick) and struck him in the groin using the top of my foot. It was a kick unfamiliar to him and difficult to defend against. I followed up with four more quick points, winning the match 5–0.
 
That moment taught me more than how to adapt under pressure—it taught me about leadership.
 
3 Leadership Lessons from the Mat:
 
1. Leadership Chooses Preparedness
When the stakes are high, leaders choose those who’ve shown results, not those with the most flash or talk. Consistent performance earns trust when it matters.
 
2. Don’t Underestimate Others Based on Surface Details
Making assumptions about someone’s experience, skill, or readiness without deeper understanding can lead to missed opportunities—or unexpected defeat.
 
3. Know the Difference Between Can’t and Don’t
Competence is more than what you show--it’s what you reserve until the right moment. Great leaders know how to leverage restraint and preparation into decisive action.
 
That day wasn’t just about winning a match--it was about being ready when the call came, showing respect even when it wasn’t returned, and remembering that leadership is built over time, not claimed in a moment.

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