Interestingly, I do have a way to quickly identify aptitude, hegemony, and flair by way of a story which occurred in my teenage years. As a result many of my clients will ask a young interviewee the following conundrum: Picture yourself as a young 14 year old martial artist in an open men’s full contact competition. The competition is graded by rank, not age, and you are to fight a 78 year old man in the same ability grouping. You are told by the elderly man’s club mates to take it easy as he is more of a club mascot than a competitor; that he enjoys the involvement but has little strength or ability. However, you are undefeated and he is an opponent none the less, one who shares the same grade as you. What do you do?
It is my belief that anyone who answers similarly as to how I actually acted would generally be a future highflyer; someone able to make tough decisions based on logic, balance, fairness, and weighing up opportunity costs.
Those were my considerations as I buried my foot deep into the old boy’s midriff. My straight thrust kick was easily my most potent weapon at the time and when he advanced with an open stance I took the shot. His defences were inadequate and his core stability was woefully left wanting. The match was barely 4 seconds long.
He sank, clutching his abdomen as if he expected his innards to spill out through the bellybutton. Unable to continue I was awarded the win, although I initially couldn’t hear the referee’s explanation over the crowds jeering hiss. It was bedlam and all manner of items were getting thrown – bottles, burgers, shoes, chairs, the lot. The officials hastened to remove me from the dojo and I was instructed to remain locked in the club manager’s office until order was restored.
If faced with the same situation today I would respond with equal ferociousness. I see no other solution. Had I taken my elderly opponent lightly I risked injury, fatigue, or worse still, shock defeat. I was young and had my reputation to think of. Also, I think of his mind set too. He knew the risks when he jumped on the mat. As the old saying goes ‘If you’re chewing a lemon don’t complain that it’s sour’.
It turns out that his club mates gave me one hell of a hiding in the car park that night. Ten of the cowards rampaged me, although I knocked three of them out before they got me properly. I heard that old bastard yelling to hold me still just before I lost consciousness. That doesn’t concern me greatly. I was more annoyed that I was unable to get medical clearance to continue in the competition. Still, I remained undefeated.
Any young graduate or apprentice prepared to make the same sacrifice I did and cut that old man down like felling an ageing Eucalyptus tree has the gumption and bravery to prosper in any environment.
Life’s a fight so knuckle up.
Franco Skinns
Life Expert
