Executive Research Initiative

The "Becoming Samurai" online course

YPO Launch Kit

(Latest Update: July 31, 2025)

For YPO members

who explored the path of ancient wisdom during Don Schmincke’s keynote

— and are ready to bring it into practice.

Watch: 90-Second Intro from Don Schmincke

How to get started quickly

Introduction

Welcome. I'm Don Schmincke.

This course is designed for YPO members seeking an edge in strategic execution, cultural alignment, and leadership legacy — grounded in field-tested research and ancient warrior principles

You probably got here because during my YPO speech you expressed interest in this project on the audience request form, or another member invited you.

Thanks for stepping up. By participatiing in this research you've part of something that started with a few asking, “Could we make Samurai training digital?” I asked why. Many said my earlier workshops changed their lives and they wanted to share it. So, I said yes, uploaded it, and figured that was that.

I was wrong.

Suddenly, execs were using it for International Women’s Day. Coaches asked to weave it into 1-1s. Colleagues started pitching it for publication. Apparently, ancient Samurai wisdom still has some legs left.

Members then started asking if they could use this course in their groups to impact their leadership experiences. This was a good idea. If it produces results, I'll release it to industry.

What You'll Gain

- Apply samurai codes to resolve modern leadership breakdowns.
- Increase your leadership resilience using ancient warrior frameworks.
- Strengthen your capacity to drive team alignment without relying on generic management theory.
- Access exclusive tools tested with 30,000+ CEOs worldwide.

So, here we go . . .

The Program

Purpose: Test how ancient Samurai principles impact modern CEO performance.

Metric: Improvement in execution speed, decision-making clarity, and problem-solving precision.

Environment: CEO peer groups using 1-1 pair-ups with other members.

Method:

• A 7-module, self-paced online course developed from my early Samurai research (Hopkins/Oxford).
• Bite-sized lessons tailored for high-performance schedules.
• Immediate application to real-world business challenges.
• Designed for busy executives – quick modules, rapid application.
• Core teachings include Samurai training on fear, death, bravery, honor.
• Featuring guest insights from George Stalk on the OODA Loop (yes, that Harvard one).

Tuition: Member-only, at-cost tuition—subsidized scholarship to support this research initiative.

BONUS: You’ll meet SamurAI, our AI support coach—a digital warrior designed to challenge, provoke, and occasionally bewilder (just like a real Zen master).

Early Results

Participants are already reporting progress:

“I now wake up asking, ‘How can I be braver today?’”

“I used to avoid feedback. Now, with the OODA Loop, it’s my daily vitamin.”

“The hourly reminder of mortality? Unexpectedly... freeing.”

“After two modules, I tackled a past fear and saved my marriage.”

“I finally called the owner of a company I wanted to acquire. We had dinner. I’m now on their radar.”

Bottom line: This course is for time-strapped executives ready to act more boldly, more clearly, and more effectively. Prepare to do brave things faster.

So, let’s get started!

Get Started: How to Implement This (Fast)

Simple. This takes very little time. Don’t overthink it. The Samurai didn’t have spreadsheets.

Step 1: Get Enrolled

Already enrolled? Awesome. You’ve completed this Step.

Not enrolled yet? Begin Your Journey — Enroll Today
This program is invitation-only and optimized for high-performing CEO peers inside YPO.

Use the link below:
👉 Enroll here

NOTE: Spam algorithms aren't smart. So check your JUNK folder if you don’t see your login and receipts. Look for something from "Kajabi", our learning management system.

Step 2: Select a Fellow Member to Be Your Partner

Select a peer to be your partner to take the course with you. Then you can help coach each through the course. This should be someone you trust to hold you accountable and willing to help you probe into deeper issues; and you doing the same for them!

Step 3: Take the Lessons

Both of you take your next lesson module.
After the lesson, fill out the Progress Tracker form (get the PDF below)

Download your Progress Tracker Form here

Step 4: Meet With Your Member Partner (1 on 1)

Instructions:
Schedule a 1-on-1 with your paired member. During the session:

1) Share: One member presents their key actions, reflections, and the Progress Tracker form for that lesson.

2) Deepen: The other listens, challenges, and explores the breakthroughs or resistances. If a pattern was expected to emerge, dive into it — or allow new issues to surface.

3) Switch: Reverse roles and repeat.

Next: Schedule your next 1-on-1 meeting with each other.

REMINDER: These private peer dialogues are where the real transformation takes root.

Rinse and repeat STEPS 3 and 4.

Final Step: Report Your Results

Why It Matters: Your insights fuel our research and shape future publications — including submissions to HBR and academic journals.

How to Contribute: Tell us what happened as you go—wins, weirdness, epiphanies, resistance. We want it all. This helps us shape future publications (including one we’re submitting to HBR and other academic journals). Just email me: [email protected]

Then each member submits this quick form to log performance shifts:
https://forms.gle/Do65qfemEz1uKFvM7

This marks the official close of the research phase.

Thank you for bringing the Samurai spirit into your leadership journey.

FAQ

1. How long does this take?
a. Not long. Most modules are less than 10 minutes. Short enough to squeeze in during coffee breaks.

2. What if I feel I’m too busy?
a. Remember, this was designed by CEOs for busy people!
b. The busiest executives always invest time sharpening the blade.
c. Transform your "busyness" into bold, strategic action.
d. Try one module — resistance shrinks.

3. If I’m a Member Partner, do I have to be an expert or coach?
a. Nope. The course does the heavy lifting. You just guide the conversations.

4. Can I space out the Modules?
a. Yes, up to you. We usually recommend doing one per week or month, depending on your meeting schedule. You can even double up modules as needed.

5. In the Progress Checkpoint halfway through this course, how do we apply this.
a. Process it with your partner member during the 1-1s using the instructions in that module.