Acquire, Adapt, and Apply!
Bruce Lee, the Asian American-born actor, was known by many as an amazing martial artist. But not only that, but he was also a profound thinker. “He left behind seven volumes of writings on everything from quantum physics to philosophy” [1]. Mr. Lee developed a martial technique called “jeet kune do,” which resulted from his studies of kung fu, fencing, boxing, and philosophy [2].
Kobe Bryant, one of the best professional basketball players ever and a hall of famer. He was drafted for NBA right after graduation from High School and became the second youngest to ever play in the NBA [3]. He may be naturally born with the talent to play the sport, but not only that, we have seen that he was surrounded by mentors or people in his life that helped him to excel in that sport. Mr. Bryant at one time during the formation of career leading up to becoming a professional is mentored, guided and influenced by both his athletic sisters that played basketball [4], cousin and his father who were both professional basketball players [5].
Martin Luther King Jr., famous African American religious leader and civil-rights activist, advocated for the nonviolent methods of protest, organizer of countless marches and boycotts, and well known for his “I Have a Dream” speech. Dr. King had a solid educational background. He attended and graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA (1948), then on to Crozer Theological Seminary and then on to his doctoral studies in Boston University (1955). Besides these educational accomplishments, he was mentored and coached by several significant individuals. At Morehouse College, he was mentored by the Benjamin Mays, the College President. While studying at the Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester Pennsylvania, he became acquainted with Mohandas Gandhi’s nonviolence philosophy. And finally at the Boston University, he did his doctoral studies based on the thinking of Paul Tillich and Henry Nelson Wieman [6].
Chantelle Argent, in the “Coaching & Mentoring” section of Wise up Networks, wrote an article entitled “Top 9 Influential People Who Succeeded Because Of Their Mentors.” In this article, she said, “The role of a mentor as a catalyst for success is becoming increasingly clear [7].” In this article she listed names from Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Bill Gates from Microsoft, Richard Branson of Virgin Group, J.J. Abrams the young successful filmmaker, Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo, and even to the ancient philosophers like Plato and Socrates. For example, Mark Zuckerberg was said to be mentored by Apple chairman, CEO, and co-founder Steve Jobs. Co-founder of Microsoft, Mr. Gates is also said to be mentored by one of the business tycoon Mr. Warren Buffet. Another Business tycoon, Richard Branson credited his success to his most influential mentor Sir Freddie Laker. Young filmmaker and director J.J. Abrams after being mentored by Spielberg went on to direct such blockbuster movies like Mission Impossible 3, Star Trek and Cloverfield[ibid]. The trend of success as a direct and indirect result of mentorship and/or coaching continues.
When I asked myself the question, “What is the takeaway from this concept?” I have to think about the answer within the context of leadership, biblical leadership, and leadership with global perspectives. Austin Kleon in his book, “Steal Like An Artist,” said, “All creative work builds on what came before. Nothing is completely original [8].” What I have learn from this is that learning or acquiring knowledge is essential, however, it does not end there. The knowledge that is acquired are the basic building blocks of the newfound knowledge that we can claim as ours. Therefore, we must acquire knowledge, adapt it to our context, apply it to whatever field that we are in and owned it.
The Apostle Paul said in the book Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ [9].” Previously in chapter 10, Paul confronted the Corinthians believers about their claimed freedom. He emphasized that though they have the freedom, not everything is beneficial and constructive. Therefore, seek to do good for the benefit of other believers as well, not only their own. And most of all in chapter 10:31, he said, “So whether you eat or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God [ibid].” And this is the ultimate guide to our leadership, follow the example of Apostle Paul as he followed the example of Christ. The example that was portrayed by our Lord Jesus is “doing it” for the glory of God.
Reference.
Blake, J. (2020, July 20). Enter the mind of Bruce Lee. https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/19/world/bruce-lee-philsophical-legacy-trnd/index.html.
Augustyn, A. (2023, March 8). The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bruce-Lee.
Editors (March 01, 2023). The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kobe-Bryant
Editors. (April 15, 2021) Famous Athletes. https://www.biography.com/athletes/kobe-bryant.
Kobe Bryant. (March 12, 2023). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant
Carson, C., Lewis, D. L. (March 05, 2023). Martin Luther King, Jr. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Luther-King-Jr/The-letter-from-the-Birmingham-jail.
Argent, C. (September 28, 2020). Top 9 Influential People Who Succeeded Because of Their Mentors. https://wiseupnetworks.com/blog/top-9-influential-people-who-succeeded-because-of-their-mentors#.
Kleon, A. (2022). Steal Like An Artist. New York. Workman.
New International Version Bible. (2011). NIV Online. https://www.scribbr.com/apa-examples/bible/
About the Author
Noel Liemam
One response to “Acquire, Adapt, and Apply!”
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Hi Noel,
thank you for your post! I wanted you to know someone read it:). You really brought a wide spectrum of artist’s to steal from and how they stole! Well done.