Shūha Ri: Learn, Challenge, & Innovate.

Hey ,

Founders are often considered as the vanguard of innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Yet, even the most creative minds can find themselves at a crossroads where nothing seems to work or make apt sense.

I was at a similar juncture few days back and I found about a Japanese concept Shūha Ri, something that helped a lot.

It’s a concept from Martial arts, but the learnings it holds for us, founders, is amazing.

Really excited to share it with you guys.

Shūha Ri breaks down the process of learning into three distinct phases:

1. Shu (守): Obey/Follow the rules. In this initial phase, the learner follows the teachings of their masters rigorously, learning the fundamentals and techniques that form the foundation of their craft.

2. Ha (破): Detach/Break the rules. Once the basics are mastered, the learner begins to diverge from traditional methods, exploring innovative applications and variations.

3. Ri (離): Transcend/Leave the rules. In the final stage, the practitioner transcends the rules, integrating and moving beyond learned techniques to develop original methods and insights.

In nutshell:

Here’s how each stage can align with and benefit the entrepreneurial mindset:

1) Shu – Learning from the Past: As a founder, we can start by understanding and mastering conventional business strategies.

This might involve deep dives into industry best practices, successful business models, and established methodologies.

By building a solid foundation, we can equip ourselves with the tools necessary for effective decision-making and risk management.

2) Ha – Challenging the Status Quo: Once we have a firm grasp of traditional approaches, we start questioning them. Can these practices be improved? What are their limitations?

This phase can encourage us to think critically about existing models and to innovate within or around them. It’s about tweaking, adapting, and sometimes even disrupting to create better solutions.

3) Ri – Pioneering New Paths: The final stage of Shūha Ri is where true innovation occurs. Here, we can transcend conventional wisdom to forge new paths.

This might involve developing new products, pioneering novel business models, or venturing into unexplored markets.

It’s the stage of creativity and invention, where unique insights gained from the previous stages culminate in groundbreaking achievements.

Understanding Shūha Ri is one thing, but applying it to the startup world can unleash significant benefits.

What benefits?

Literally, Shūha Ri offers a structured yet flexible approach to learning and innovation that can be incredibly beneficial for founders.

My mentor often tells me:

Thanks for taking out your precious time for reading this.

If you have any specific feedback or anything interesting, you’d like to share, please let us know by replying to this email.

Stay tuned for the next one. Until then, keep building consciously.

Thank you,

Santhosh, founder of WeBuidl