Leadership Skills
ATA International has been creating leaders and instilling the power of traditional Songahm curriculum and philosophy for over 50 years. ATA’s ability to shape and mold people’s lives in a positive way has significantly contributed to the success of ATA members throughout the organization. That same power can help shape the lives of students of all ages by imparting vital life skills through the new ATA Leadership Program.
Over the course of time, the ATA Leadership Program has evolved into a core program for many licensees looking to offer even more to their students who wish to maximize their martial arts training both physically and mentally. Today’s curriculum focuses on specialty weapons and ATA-Xtreme for beginners and advanced practitioners while also incorporating the life skills of Discipline, Respect, Belief, Self-Esteem and Communication.
As Grand Master In Ho Lee explains, “The ATA Leadership Program offers students the personal development through these advanced training opportunities and the valuable life skills lessons that we hope students will apply inside and outside of their ATA classroom.”
Learning Life Skills
By joining the ATA Leadership Program, you will be provided with the ultimate challenge to become a superior marital artist and leader in your community. It’s a lot of fun, but it also requires dedication, self-discipline and personal commitment. If your instructor has already recommended you as an ATA Leader, then you’ve already been demonstrating these characteristics.
In order to further your personalized development, the ATA Leadership Program has established six life skills to help each student through their everyday living. Master Mark Burns, 6th Degree Black Belt of Karate Atlanta- Johns Creek, is excited about the new life skills and believe they are what build an ATA Leader in this core program. “These six life skills are crucial to mold a person’s character to one of a leader for themselves and others around them. Each life skill links to the next combining a solid foundation made to provide a student the structure of success in all areas of life.”
The six life skills are as follows:
- Belief is the conviction that no challenge is too hard and that all things are possible. Yes I Can!
- Communication is how we relate to ourselves and everything around us. Effective communication is crucial to a human being’s growth and is a necessary quality for every leader. The Link Between the World and Me
- Respect is the way we treat ourselves, others and one another’s beliefs and belongings. It is the way we follow the rules and regulations of society and the way we interact with the world around us. It’s Not What You Know; It’s What You Do
- Honesty starts with integrity, which is being honest with ourselves. To be honest is to obey our conscience; it is to take responsibility for our actions. As leaders we learn to apply honesty to all aspects of our lives. The First Step to an Abundant Life
- Self-esteem is taking pride in who you are and using your own individual gifts to lead others. The ATA Leadership Program teaches students to find their own strengths, then teaches them how to use those strengths to impact the world. The Joy of Being Myself
- Discipline is understanding structure and following the rules. Leaders obey the rules and are able to enforce the rules. Successful leaders are able to inspire others to do the same. To Obey What is Right
As Burns says, “By transforming a student’s behavior through these life skills, we are able to control the way they create positive habits which they project in their communities and even the world.