The Tao of Innovation

I have been watching the complete, 50-episode, CCTV production of The Legend of Brue Lee. It is an introspective look into the lives of Lee and his wife, Linda Caldwell. Their daughter Shannon was closely involved in the production (as executive producer) that enhances the authenticity of this television bio-epic (screening on Sundays, 11.00am-1.00pm, MediaCorp 8, Singapore).

The Tao of Jeet Kune Do was martial-artist and actor, Bruce Lee’s only book he authored. He co-wrote it while he was recovering from a severe injury that left him almost paralysed. He experimented with electro-muscle stimulation (EMS), which is widely used today for rehabilitative purposes. He diligently performed his rehabilitative exercises, and more. His wife, Linda supported him – physically and mentally – through his personal ordeal as his voice of conscience and shadow.

Lee’s daily routine involved a 10km morning run. He followed this with drills that worked on his whole body. He would analyse, review, reflect and synthesise his evolving thesis of Jeet Kune Do (JKD). He would bounce ideas off his close aide, a Japanese academic on martial arts.

Lee studied various martial art forms, and adapted the philosophy and essence of each martial art form, and formulated his philosophy of JKD, the way of Intercepting Fist. His teacher, Ip Man who taught him the Weng Chun style also misunderstood Lee as being insubordinate. Lee convinced the wise Ip Man that his intentions were pure and genuine, and that he did not mean to upsurp Ip Man as his teacher. Like most martial art teachers at that time, the prevailing paradigm was to not teach martial arts to foreigners. Lee challenged that thought as he felt that extinction was the inevitable pathway to martial arts if it was hoarded and taught selectively.

Leadership Lessons: Invention is the mother of necessity. Innovative practices come from constant experimentation and research. Be knowledgeable, and add on to the body of knowledge. Test existing theories. Test your own theories.

[Photograph from CCTV set of pre-release stills]