Black Belt Negotiating: Become a Master Negotiator Using Powerful Lessons from the Martial Arts

Disguising Your Weaknesses

All martial artists have weaknesses. Their punches may lack power or their kicks may be extended a bit too long, leaving them especially vulnerable. Weaknesses can’t be helped; this doesn’t mean, however, that you have to broadcast them to your opponent.

Sensei Tabuchi relates the story of a fighter who had a foot injury and could kick only from the left side. However, he was able to disguise the kicks from his one good leg so well that it was almost as if he had two good legs. Opponents never knew if they were going to see a hook kick, round kick, front kick, or side kick. As a result, he became a champion by maximizing his strengths (using the good leg for the real work) and concealing his weaknesses (only jabbing ...