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In his insightful Black Belt Essay, Steve Ivan offers an introspective look at leadership through the lens of his long-standing Taekwondo journey. At over 80 years old, Steve is not only one of the oldest practitioners in Florida, but also a testament to the enduring power of passion, discipline, and self-reflection. His essay encapsulates the wisdom gained over more than a decade of training at Red Tiger Martial Arts, where he has been deeply influenced by mentors like Grandmaster Hwang and Master Starry Jhoun. With humility and grace, Steve explores the core aspects of leadership that he strives to embody—setting an example, fostering confidence, and embracing patience. This essay is a heartfelt expression of how the principles of Taekwondo extend far beyond the dojang, influencing all aspects of life and empowering both the body and mind. The following is Steve Ivan’s reflections on leadership, aging, and the values that continue to guide him on this extraordinary journey.
"Being required to create an essay on my feelings of leadership and the three important aspects of leadership that I will strive for has given me an opportunity to be introspective.
As I might be the oldest Taekwondoist in the state of Florida and oldest student to test at Red Tiger Martial Arts this year, as it has been for the last ten plus years, I am honored and aware that it is a golden opportunity for me in these golden years as they are called, which are more realistically called the last years of one's life.
Being able to train at Red Tiger Martial Arts with Grandmaster Hwang and Master Starry Jhoun has been one of the highlights of my last ten and half years.
Even though I was not required to test this time, because I will most likely not be able to continue training for advancement indefinitely with my old body and declining cognitive mental abilities, this testing time has become the sweet spot of my Taekwondo experience because it is voluntary and not required.
Additionally, I am so much more aware of the wonderful feeling that is produced by testing and training with such a fine group of kids, young men and women and even a few seniors here and there.
It is a feeling that must be the same as what birds appreciate while flying together in a flock, all going in a direction that is good for the flock and good for each individual bird.
It's very much like the benefits that the fish have that swim in the waters together in schools, all grouped together, learning and benefiting from being a part of many.
Therefore, I am honored and delighted to have the chance to have trained with some of you for almost eleven years.
It has been a lesson in humility (even testing with five-year-olds) as well as a learning experience that has helped me and will continue to help me with my own challenges at this age.
So let's speak about the benefits of being Black Belt Taekwandoists and the way that it can help to become a leader not only in the way of Tae Kwon Do, but in our lives in general.
Three ways of leadership. Example, Confidence, Patience
The first of the three ways that I hope to lead with is by setting a good Example that young and old can continue to learn if they have the passion and desire to fulfill the goals that they set, own and become whatever it is that they desire, even aside from Black Belts attainment.
In my case it was a lifelong wish to get back to training in Tae Kwon Do as I did when I was a young man.
Fortunately, I had the opportunity to train with Grandmaster Hwang at Red Tiger Martial Arts. Because he humbly revealed that he is a good example, I hope to be a good example as well and be humble while inspiring people to know that despite being older, they could do so with joyful effort and gain strength, skills and the knowledge, wisdom philosophical understanding of Taekwondo
The second way is to lead with Confidence in myself and in what has been taught to me in these years of training at Tae Kwon Do.
Third and so important is to lead with Patience and to teach others the values of patience. Tae Kwon Do skills are not learned quickly. Techniques that are learned must be practiced over and over and over.
Gaining and earning a black belt influences trainees by instilling confidence when an individual is patient. With confidence and patience one can feel able to lead by example when the circumstances call on it.
As an individual who is in the last stages of his life at eighty plus years old, it is an honor to have been taught the practical and philosophical aspects of our sport, the art of Taekwondo.
My hope is to be able to lead by example to show others young and old that the Taekwondo training is good for both the body and the mind, and it helps to make for a better life, for ourselves, our parents and our children!
A better life that includes good health with fitness because it benefits all aspects of our lives.
And it also benefits those around us who benefit from the example we set.
As an older person my view is influenced by the experiences that I have had. That is my karma!
Having experienced both failures and successes it is easy to see that good leadership requires not only confidence in one's abilities but also to be humble while experiencing and teaching critical thinking and using accountability by taking ownership of and teaching others to own and to be responsible for the positive and the negative outcomes of our efforts.
I hope to learn to communicate the skills that I have been taught by Grandmaster Hwang and by the other great teachers whom he has brought forth such as Grandmaster Ahn and Grandmaster Kang and the in-house masters including Master Starry Jhoun, Master Tyler Brazil and Master Pat Chadwick, and the many instructors and interns from South Korea over the last ten and a half years.
And more ways of leadership.
Respect, Passion, Optimism, Focus, Empathy, Communication
Besides the three ways of leadership that I chose there are several more that are important such as Respect for the others who are teaching and learning.
Passion, believing in the value of Tae kwon do.
Optimism knowing the benefit of a positive and strong mindset.
Focus, focus on the individual needs as well as the teaching. Empathy, knowing Taekwondo life is a challenge just as life itself is a challenge.
Communication, communication by not only oral transmission but by using active listening and understanding and giving attention to the needs of others.
I am thankful for this opportunity to express myself and for the continued learning opportunities presented at Red Tiger Martial Arts. "
-Steve Ivan- November 2024
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