The GSD Dispatch: FORMING THE NINJA-COLLABORATOR BOND

(How to Tailor Your Leadership Like a Dojo Master in 3 steps)

Author

Jason Gwin
April 30, 2025

The Problem

Most leaders use one leadership style for every situation, which kills collaboration and feedback.

The Fix

Adjust your approach in 3 steps (takes<5 min/team member).

STEP 1: DIAGNOSE THEIR "DOJO RANK" (60 SECONDS)

Ask yourself if the employee is:
🔹 "Apprentice" = Needs clear direction + hands-on practice
🔹 "Journeyman" = Needs autonomy + occasional course-correction
🔹 Black Belt = Needs big challenges + protection from BS

(Example: If they constantly ask "How should I do this?" → Apprentice.)

STEP 2: PICK YOUR NINJA TOOL (30 SECONDS)

Dojo Rank

Apprentice

Journeyman

Black Belt

Your Leadership Tool

Show & Shadow: Demo-Do Together- Observe- Debrief

Echo & Empower: “I hear x frustrates you. What’s the solution?” Remove 1 blocker

Silent Sparring: Get written input pre-meeting- Publicly credit- Protect focus time

STEP 3: TRACK & ADJUST (90 SECONDS/WEEK)

After trying a tool:
1️⃣ Note their reaction (Engaged? Resistant?)
2️⃣ Ask 1 question → "What helped most this week?"
3️⃣ Adjust next week’s tool if needed

(Pro Tip: Start with your most frustrated team member first.)

📌 REAL-WORD EXAMPLE

A new manager at a recent client felt they had to check everyone’s work daily and coach them every step of the way. The team’s KPI’s were falling fast, and they complained that they no longer felt trusted.

  • 40% team disengagement

  • Zero upward feedback

We implemented Our 3 Moves:

  1. Had the leader rank their team (Step 1)

  2. Taught 3 tools above (Step 2)

  3. Added weekly 5-min check-ins (Step 3)

Result in 60 Days:

  • Collaboration ↑ 35%

  • Ideas shared ↑ 4x

🥷 YOUR SELF-AUDIT

Which style do you OVERUSE?
▢ The Directive ("Just do it this way")
▢ The Democrat ("What does everyone think?")
▢ The Ghost ("Figure it out yourself")

⚡ Dojo Assignment:
Pick one team member this week and:

  1. Diagnose their needs (Skill/Motivation/Comms)

  2. Try one tailored approach above

  3. Report back (Hit reply with results)

Ready to Fix Your Team? Here’s Your Next Move

🔴 Hit reply and tell me your #1 leadership challenge. I’ll give you a custom game plan.
🟢 Forward this to a leader who’s drowning in chaos—they’ll thank you later.
🔵 Snag a FREE 30-minute “Culture Rescue” call – Let’s discuss how to start fixing your biggest team problems. [Click to Claim Your Spot Now ]

No sales pitch. No fluff. Just real solutions.

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