Wing Chun and Profession - Fred Chong
I’ve been learning Wing Chun for about two and a half years. Over the past two years, I’ve been surprised regularly at the practicality of Wing Chun, not only as a martial art form, but also its applications in daily living, maintaining physical fitness and business careers.
I should clarify that there are two broad aspects about Wing Chun that I’ve found widely applicable. The first aspect is inherent in the Wing Chun martial art form itself, while the second aspect is in the way I’ve been approaching Wing Chun practice, which also has a lot to do with how the art is being taught and emphasized by my sifu.
Here, I’d like to share some thoughts on Wing Chun’s relevance in professional business practice.
Principles as Cornerstone
The foundation of Wing Chun is based on a set of principles for developing solid body structure. Without structure integrity, it is challenging for one to deliver hand techniques effectively against trained opponents. The principles are likened to “universal truth” and should not change unless the meta- assumptions on physical laws of gravity, acceleration and distance change. (e.g. fighting on the moon may require a different set of principles). Techniques, on the other hand, depend on the situation at hand (no punt intended). New techniques may get discovered or adapted as one finds more effective way of dealing with a specific attack. The set of Wing Chun principles apply in all situations whether in solo practice, friendly sparring or physically threatening situation. When in doubt, we always want to make sure that the fundamental principles are not compromised.
I find the principle-first approach consistent with my practice as an IT architect - where laying down the design principles is key to getting everyone aligned on how the team is going to approach the problem. Often times in the solution design process, there will be new approaches that get introduced and considered. If not managed carefully, it can make the solution complicated and in worse case, destabilize the final solution. Design principles provides the litmus tests to validate any chosen approach. Wing Chun reinforces my belief as an IT architect - principles before techniques is the key to elegant solution, whether in martial arts or in IT solutions.
Attention to Details
Becoming good at Wing Chun is not easy, it requires lots of purposeful practice by focusing on details and persevering at correcting mistakes. Getting good at Wing Chun is more like traveling on a journey than reaching a destination. That is to say that the process of becoming proficient can be arduous and also enjoyable, and there are many surprises along the way – if one is attentive enough at observing the details that goes beyond the visually obvious. Often times, refinement comes not from changing what one can see, but by adjusting internal tension or breathing techniques. The imperfections that get manifested externally is only the symptoms of invisible root causes that lie within.
Similarly, improving a business practice is also hard work, and it’s the details that matter. I’ve worked with many people who are good workers, but can’t seem to succeed at maturing their business. Usually, I see two main problems – either ignoring the importance of details, or focusing on the wrong details. Wing Chun has taught me that attention to details is what separate the masters from the amateurs, but just as important is persevering at improving the right element, and not be distracted by superficial short cuts.
Strategy and Roadmap
There are many levels of understanding the Wing Chun principles and techniques. As one devote time and effort to think and practice, the result is deeper understanding and gradual mastery of the art. In my own journey, one of the things I find useful is to figure out a roadmap to get to the next level. I am not referring to a practice schedule or forms curriculum. Rather, this strategy and roadmap is about the approach to train one’s nervous system and should be unique to everyone, since everyone’s body is different. This training roadmap include mindful practice of the forms, and constantly seeking to soften muscles that are too stiff, and awaken nerves that are not as tactile. Without a purposeful roadmap, one’s training becomes time spent going through the motion, and is likely to be unproductive.
It is easy to get into “mindless busy work” in business. In my profession, busy work means spending lots of time replying to email and IMs (regardless of whether they are important or not), reading and writing operation-oriented reports, or tidying-up work (like organizing folders, email, desktops etc). Even when a business is operation-oriented, it is easy to get into cruise-control mode with the status-quo. For a business to continuously make progress requires discipline in strategizing, planning, putting the plan into action, reevaluating the results and iterating through the process again. This is exactly the Wing Chun improvement process.
Sustainability
Good fitness is a balance of strength, flexibility, endurance. There are many physical activities that can help one get to a “fit” body. Prior to picking up Wing Chun, I’ve done a number of different sports to stay fit, including playing squash, running, swimming etc. Outwardly, I’m very athletic. In reality, I have quite a few sports-related injury that over the years have aggravated joints and caused stiffness and pains. Once I started training Wing Chun, I began to think about all the other sports I’ve been doing and whether it was a sustainable way of maintaining fitness. I’ve gradually given up most other sports and Wing Chun is the main physical activity I do now. Today I’ve become more flexible, balanced and the old injuries are also beginning to heal. My conclusion is not all sports lead to sustainable fitness.
In this world of intense business competition, there are many practices and games one can play to get ahead. I’ve encountered many colleagues who are looking for short term gains and promotions, and will do whatever it takes to get ahead. These people may get some immediate gratifications and reward, but in every case, I’ve seen them fallen from grace eventually. Whatever we are doing to get ahead in business today, we should question if it is sustainable – for ourselves, family, society and environment.
Structure and Moving Parts
The Wing Chun martial art style is “scientific” and can be explained through physical and mechanical theories. Much of its effectiveness is attributed to sound body structure. Fundamentally, the entire human skeletal system provides the framework for positioning the body structure. Wing Chun techniques requires harmonizing shifts and movements in various body parts, such as elbows, knees, shoulder, hip, ankles, wrists, feet, hands, spine, neck and head. When these moving parts are properly coordinated, the body structure becomes effective offensive and/or defensive human weapon.
Any successful business should know its optimal “structure”. Within the structure, business capabilities are the moving parts used for accomplishing business goals. For example, in a software company, software development should be its core capability. For most businesses, there are other obvious key capabilities such as finance, human resources, marketing and sales that are commonly required business functions. In some other cases, there might also be product fulfillment and supply chain, legal, strategy and planning, and customer support capabilities. Understanding the functions that each capability should provide, the relationship and interconnections between business capabilities is key to day-to-day execution. When the capabilities are equipped to do their job and are coordinated, the result is an organization structure that performs with fluidity– similar to seeing a Wing Chun master flowing through each movement in the forms.
Agility, Not Rigidity
One of the most basic thing to understand in Wing Chun is the concept of “relaxation”. Actually, relaxation is not the best word to explain the desired bodily state as it usually implies a totally limped body that is not ready to spring into action. However, being able to relax the muscles is actually a pre- requisite for the nervous system to be effectively activated and apply Wing Chun techniques. The art of relaxation is key as it enables the practitioner to put into practice the principles of position, sensitivity and timing.
Many large business enterprises I’ve seen are very rigidly operated. Tons and tons of rules and procedures govern the day-to-day operations. Furthermore, employees are not given any flexibility to make independent decisions and must “play by the book”. As an employee, such working environment offers no personal challenge and opportunity for innovation. As a customer or partner, it can be frustrating dealing with a company that leaves no room for negotiations or improvements. Over time, these companies become irresponsive to real market needs and lose its ability to survive. A “relaxed” company provides guidelines (rather than hard or no rules) that empower the entire organization to adapt to the business environment. In both Wing Chun and business, “relaxation” are means to an end, and should lead to agility.
The Business Warrior
My company once adopted the slogan “Realize Your Potentials” as the rallying call for every employee to take their career destiny in their own hands. I personally think that the art of Wing Chun is so deep that it can help one realize his potential broadly and continuously, the limit is only what he chooses to place on himself - as the business warrior.
I should clarify that there are two broad aspects about Wing Chun that I’ve found widely applicable. The first aspect is inherent in the Wing Chun martial art form itself, while the second aspect is in the way I’ve been approaching Wing Chun practice, which also has a lot to do with how the art is being taught and emphasized by my sifu.
Here, I’d like to share some thoughts on Wing Chun’s relevance in professional business practice.
Principles as Cornerstone
The foundation of Wing Chun is based on a set of principles for developing solid body structure. Without structure integrity, it is challenging for one to deliver hand techniques effectively against trained opponents. The principles are likened to “universal truth” and should not change unless the meta- assumptions on physical laws of gravity, acceleration and distance change. (e.g. fighting on the moon may require a different set of principles). Techniques, on the other hand, depend on the situation at hand (no punt intended). New techniques may get discovered or adapted as one finds more effective way of dealing with a specific attack. The set of Wing Chun principles apply in all situations whether in solo practice, friendly sparring or physically threatening situation. When in doubt, we always want to make sure that the fundamental principles are not compromised.
I find the principle-first approach consistent with my practice as an IT architect - where laying down the design principles is key to getting everyone aligned on how the team is going to approach the problem. Often times in the solution design process, there will be new approaches that get introduced and considered. If not managed carefully, it can make the solution complicated and in worse case, destabilize the final solution. Design principles provides the litmus tests to validate any chosen approach. Wing Chun reinforces my belief as an IT architect - principles before techniques is the key to elegant solution, whether in martial arts or in IT solutions.
Attention to Details
Becoming good at Wing Chun is not easy, it requires lots of purposeful practice by focusing on details and persevering at correcting mistakes. Getting good at Wing Chun is more like traveling on a journey than reaching a destination. That is to say that the process of becoming proficient can be arduous and also enjoyable, and there are many surprises along the way – if one is attentive enough at observing the details that goes beyond the visually obvious. Often times, refinement comes not from changing what one can see, but by adjusting internal tension or breathing techniques. The imperfections that get manifested externally is only the symptoms of invisible root causes that lie within.
Similarly, improving a business practice is also hard work, and it’s the details that matter. I’ve worked with many people who are good workers, but can’t seem to succeed at maturing their business. Usually, I see two main problems – either ignoring the importance of details, or focusing on the wrong details. Wing Chun has taught me that attention to details is what separate the masters from the amateurs, but just as important is persevering at improving the right element, and not be distracted by superficial short cuts.
Strategy and Roadmap
There are many levels of understanding the Wing Chun principles and techniques. As one devote time and effort to think and practice, the result is deeper understanding and gradual mastery of the art. In my own journey, one of the things I find useful is to figure out a roadmap to get to the next level. I am not referring to a practice schedule or forms curriculum. Rather, this strategy and roadmap is about the approach to train one’s nervous system and should be unique to everyone, since everyone’s body is different. This training roadmap include mindful practice of the forms, and constantly seeking to soften muscles that are too stiff, and awaken nerves that are not as tactile. Without a purposeful roadmap, one’s training becomes time spent going through the motion, and is likely to be unproductive.
It is easy to get into “mindless busy work” in business. In my profession, busy work means spending lots of time replying to email and IMs (regardless of whether they are important or not), reading and writing operation-oriented reports, or tidying-up work (like organizing folders, email, desktops etc). Even when a business is operation-oriented, it is easy to get into cruise-control mode with the status-quo. For a business to continuously make progress requires discipline in strategizing, planning, putting the plan into action, reevaluating the results and iterating through the process again. This is exactly the Wing Chun improvement process.
Sustainability
Good fitness is a balance of strength, flexibility, endurance. There are many physical activities that can help one get to a “fit” body. Prior to picking up Wing Chun, I’ve done a number of different sports to stay fit, including playing squash, running, swimming etc. Outwardly, I’m very athletic. In reality, I have quite a few sports-related injury that over the years have aggravated joints and caused stiffness and pains. Once I started training Wing Chun, I began to think about all the other sports I’ve been doing and whether it was a sustainable way of maintaining fitness. I’ve gradually given up most other sports and Wing Chun is the main physical activity I do now. Today I’ve become more flexible, balanced and the old injuries are also beginning to heal. My conclusion is not all sports lead to sustainable fitness.
In this world of intense business competition, there are many practices and games one can play to get ahead. I’ve encountered many colleagues who are looking for short term gains and promotions, and will do whatever it takes to get ahead. These people may get some immediate gratifications and reward, but in every case, I’ve seen them fallen from grace eventually. Whatever we are doing to get ahead in business today, we should question if it is sustainable – for ourselves, family, society and environment.
Structure and Moving Parts
The Wing Chun martial art style is “scientific” and can be explained through physical and mechanical theories. Much of its effectiveness is attributed to sound body structure. Fundamentally, the entire human skeletal system provides the framework for positioning the body structure. Wing Chun techniques requires harmonizing shifts and movements in various body parts, such as elbows, knees, shoulder, hip, ankles, wrists, feet, hands, spine, neck and head. When these moving parts are properly coordinated, the body structure becomes effective offensive and/or defensive human weapon.
Any successful business should know its optimal “structure”. Within the structure, business capabilities are the moving parts used for accomplishing business goals. For example, in a software company, software development should be its core capability. For most businesses, there are other obvious key capabilities such as finance, human resources, marketing and sales that are commonly required business functions. In some other cases, there might also be product fulfillment and supply chain, legal, strategy and planning, and customer support capabilities. Understanding the functions that each capability should provide, the relationship and interconnections between business capabilities is key to day-to-day execution. When the capabilities are equipped to do their job and are coordinated, the result is an organization structure that performs with fluidity– similar to seeing a Wing Chun master flowing through each movement in the forms.
Agility, Not Rigidity
One of the most basic thing to understand in Wing Chun is the concept of “relaxation”. Actually, relaxation is not the best word to explain the desired bodily state as it usually implies a totally limped body that is not ready to spring into action. However, being able to relax the muscles is actually a pre- requisite for the nervous system to be effectively activated and apply Wing Chun techniques. The art of relaxation is key as it enables the practitioner to put into practice the principles of position, sensitivity and timing.
Many large business enterprises I’ve seen are very rigidly operated. Tons and tons of rules and procedures govern the day-to-day operations. Furthermore, employees are not given any flexibility to make independent decisions and must “play by the book”. As an employee, such working environment offers no personal challenge and opportunity for innovation. As a customer or partner, it can be frustrating dealing with a company that leaves no room for negotiations or improvements. Over time, these companies become irresponsive to real market needs and lose its ability to survive. A “relaxed” company provides guidelines (rather than hard or no rules) that empower the entire organization to adapt to the business environment. In both Wing Chun and business, “relaxation” are means to an end, and should lead to agility.
The Business Warrior
My company once adopted the slogan “Realize Your Potentials” as the rallying call for every employee to take their career destiny in their own hands. I personally think that the art of Wing Chun is so deep that it can help one realize his potential broadly and continuously, the limit is only what he chooses to place on himself - as the business warrior.
