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 Executive Research Initiative

"Becoming Samurai" 


An experiment evaluating 
the impact of ancient secrets on leadership performance

 

!!! Only offered to a select group of CEO and Executive audience members for a limited time !!!

 

This investigation evaluates how much ancient Samurai wisdoms:

  • Drive Higher Performance
  • Enhance Decisiveness
  • Increase Speed of Execution
  • Generate Superior Leadership
  • Create Honor and Bravery:
    • Forge trust and integrity so unbreakable that teams follow without hesitation. 
    • Uncover fears that stop greatness by hindering actions of you and your team.

“I want to expand my business through acquisitions.
This helped stop my fear of calling companies cold.”
CEO Member

“Pushed me from just thinking about fear and death
to actually living with more urgency and intention.” 
CEO Member

“Within days, I recognized how fear was holding me back
—and began seeing opportunities I’d long ignored.”

—CEO Participant, Pilot Cohort

 

An exclusive program 
developed at Johns Hopkins University and based on the bestseller

"The Code of the Executive"

by Don Schmincke 

Enroll Now

Why This Research is Needed?

 

Most executives want people who:  

  • Innovate.

  • Take risks.

  • Say uncomfortable truths.

  • Challenge and are willing to be challenged.

  • Win in targeted markets.

  • Are honest and transparent.

But findings reveal continued organizational dysfunction:  

  • Change resistance.

  • Risk avoidance.

  • Slow decisiveness. 

  • Lack of accountability.

  • Fear and hesitation.

  • Missed performance targets.

  • Misalignment with your vision.

  • Unproductive behaviors.

  •  Lack of bravery  to confront the real issues.

RESULT: Executive frustration because they've done all the right stuff:

  • Coaches

  • TEDx talks

  • Seminars

  • Thought leaders

  • Bestselling books

  • The best operating system

 

So why is it not working?

This experiment explores if something deeper sabotages these efforts?

Human Fear and Selfishness

Is it possible that ancient wisdom can stop 

Fear and Selfishness

from sabotaging executive efforts?

 

The Research Behind the Initiative

  • A Samurai training manual first codified during Japan’s Kamakura era over 700 years ago.(1) 
  • Permission granted by Oxford to adapt and test its insights.

 

 

Now you will learn it.

 (1) the content emerged during the Japanese Heian period (794–1185) and formalized during the Kamakura period (1185–1333).

INTRODUCING

 

Designed for busy CEOs.

 

 

What Participation Looks Like

 

We will measure your performance enhancment in just 7-modules:

  • Fast, short video lessons (only 5 - 7 minutes long)
  • Implementation exercises to apply each principle in your own executive decisions immediately
  • Rapid instructional modalities
  • Brief, easily consumable content
  • Useful downloads

 

And Performance Checkpoints

with your Chair, Guide, or Coach

Why Use Samurai Training?

(a brief 20-second overview)

 

What's In The Program?

MODULE 1: Initiation
Prepare yourself emotionally, mentally, and physically for the journey ahead. 

MODULE 2: Fear
Identify what stops you from reaching higher, taking risks, and improving your performance.  Learn how to move beyond your fears, and seek higher potential.

MODULE 3: Death
Sustaining strength requires continuous evolution. Change is necessary. What must "die" in order for you to ascend higher? 

MODULE 4: Dying
Primal, selfish, ego-driven behaviors hinder growth and performance. Understand how to deal with removing the EGO and let go of what's holding you back.

MODULE 5: Progress Checkpoint
Here you check your development with your manager or trusted colleague. The observations and feedback help you evolve and drive your journey to the next level.

MODULE 6: Bravery
How to be brave enough to do the right thing, create superior results, make wise decisions, and honor your values and purpose.

MODULE 7: Honor
Honor is critical for successful leadership. It drives trust, honesty, and integrity. Your journey becomes strained when disrespect arises from others, but a Samurai has no excuse to violate this Code.

Initial Research Reported from Members:

  • “I now wake up every morning asking myself how can I be braver today”

  • “The OODA loop process helped me become fearless about feedback. It’s been incredible. Before I was nervous about getting feedback. Now it's absolutely a must!”

  • "After the first two modules I decided to address a past fear stopping me from improving my marriage. The training to become fearless empowered me to finally have this conversation with my wife and take action.”

  • “The hourly reminder that someday I must die was surprisingly powerful. It interrupted the subconscious. It made me check my motives, my energy, and how I was showing up in real time.”

Too busy?

Exactly why this program was designed for you.

 

The busiest executives always invest time sharpening the blade.
To transform "busyness" into bold, strategic action. 

 

Now dig deeper to explore a new level within yourself.

Individual Member

Tuition 

$2750

$375

Provided at-cost to fund this research project only.

(Seats are limited)

Enroll Here Now

 

© 2025 Strategic Growth Alliance
—
Note: This program is offered strictly as a research collaboration. All findings will be published in aggregate; individual data remains confidential.