Last week, I hit the ebb. The wave I’d been riding—the ideas, the energy, the progress—started to fade. I felt stuck. Not broken, but heavy. Like I was paddling hard with no momentum behind me.

Instead of forcing my way forward, I did something I rarely used to: I paused. I listened. I looked at the data, my rhythms, and what nature always teaches—after the swell comes stillness.

In Japanese philosophy, there’s a word: 間 (Ma). It’s the space between things—not empty, but full of possibility. The kanji shows a gate, with sunlight shining through. It’s the pause that lets the light back in.

This week, I remembered: you don’t lose progress in the pause. You find your power there. Read More…

Empathy. Self-awareness. Presence. These aren’t just “soft skills”—they’re survival skills in a tech-saturated world. In my journey of blending ancestral stories with AI tools, I uncovered something deeper: the future of leadership doesn’t lie in choosing between innovation and tradition, but in learning to lead from both. From my conversation with David Cory of EITC to the robot monk at Kyoto’s Kōdai-ji Temple, I’ve seen how the ancient and the emerging can harmonize. The real edge today? It’s in embracing the paradox—rooted in heritage, open to what’s next.

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My journey with the Ensō Mindset began with the quiet presence of my Jiichan, my Japanese grandfather. Though I never watched him practice calligraphy, I can imagine his brush moving across the canvas, creating bold strokes in his shodō paintings—an artist and a businessman shaping the world with deliberate, intentional movement. His art, now in my hands, became the inspiration for how I understood leadership, resilience, and ultimately, how my own brain worked.

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The Ensō (円相) circle, inspired by Zen philosophy, represents the beauty of imperfection, continuous practice, and the fluidity of mastery. In the heart of Japanese tradition lies a profound approach to mastery—one that transcends skill acquisition and delves into the very essence of learning, growth, and transformation. This philosophy is encapsulated in Shu Ha Ri (守破離), a framework that guides practitioners through stages of disciplined practice, adaptation, and ultimate transcendence. Rooted in centuries of martial arts, tea ceremony, and other revered disciplines, Shu Ha Ri is not just a method; it is a way of life.

To dive deeper and truly embody these principles, be sure to join my free webinar, where I will guide you through this path of intentional practice and real-world application. Sign up here 👉 Register Now

🔹 Mastery isn’t just about learning—it’s about embodying. Are you ready to step into the journey? 🔹

Have you ever had a leader who said all the right things—but you didn’t feel them? They meant well, but deep down, you wondered… Do you truly see me? Do you understand what fills my cup?

That gap—between words and presence—is what separates transactional leadership from authentic, felt leadership.

In Zen Buddhism, the Ensō (円相) is a hand-drawn circle—imperfect, fluid, and never complete. It symbolizes growth, presence, and continuous learning.

The deeper I explored Japanese philosophy, the more I saw a pattern: words tied to leadership, resilience, and transformation all shared one kanji—心 (Kokoro, heart-mind).

My Jiichan (grandfather) embodied this. While I grew up in Canada, he remained deeply rooted in Japan, shaping me in ways I only later understood.

You know that perfect hum when you rub the rim of a crystal wine glass? It’s not magic—it’s alignment. The right balance of pressure and motion creates a resonance that’s both powerful and harmonious.

What if your life could hum like that?

At Ensō Mindset, we explore the art of aligning your why—your core purpose—with your actions. Through the synergy of Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle and the wisdom of the Ensō, we’ll guide you to create harmony between your internal values and your external world.

Start your journey toward clarity, flow, and purpose today. Together, let’s turn your “And So” moments into a legacy of growth and impact.

In coaching, the phrase “and so” signifies a moment of insight, a shift from reflection to action. It marks the point where thoughts connect, realizations surface, and clarity unfolds, guiding the conversation towards meaningful change. Much like the Zen concept of ensō, representing a continuous journey, "and so" embodies growth and transformation. Discover how listening deeply to these moments can empower you to align your inner world with the life you want to create.