In Japanese culture, the relationship between an apprentice and a master—the Kohai and the Senpai—is sacred. It isn’t a temporary arrangement; it’s a lifelong bond forged through shared growth and the test of time.
When I wrote my book, Mentoring Mastery, I wanted to capture that essence. To me, mentoring isn’t just about giving advice; it’s about the journey. My Kenshin Coaching program will launch its first cohort on February 3rd, and I built it on the Shuhari principle. In this program, I will teach you everything I know about leading yourself effectively as a project manager or leader. I will walk you through the processes and tools I have used to define my reason for being, my professional ambition and direction, and the daily tools I use to help prevent burnout.
It breaks down into three distinct phases:
Phase 1: The “Shu” of Self-Discovery
守 Shu (Protect/Obey): Learning the rules, copying the master, and building a rock-solid foundation.
In the Japanese tradition of Shu, the first step is to protect the foundation. You cannot lead a complex project portfolio if you haven’t first mastered the “scope” of your own soul. Before we look at your calendars or your backlogs, we look inward. We will spend this phase:
- Identifying your Core Values: Moving beyond buzzwords to find the non-negotiables that drive your energy.
- The Bushidō Connection: Mapping your values to the ancient virtues of the Bushidō code—integrity, courage, and respect—to see how they show up in your modern workspace.
- Cultivating Ikigai: We will explore what truly brings joy and purpose to your life (your Ikigai). This isn’t about a chart; it’s about that quiet, internal “reason for being” that makes you want to show up and do the work.
When you understand who you are, the friction of “living two lives” disappears. You stop performing and start leading.
Phase 2: The “Ha” of Life Architecture
破 Ha (Detach/Stretch): Breaking the rules, experimenting, and finding where the boundaries of the craft truly lie.
Once the foundation is set, we move into the Ha stage—where we begin to stretch, detach from old habits, and architect a new system. In Phase 2 of the Kenshin Compass, we move from “Who am I?” to “Where am I going?”
This is the System Architecture phase. We aren’t just looking for productivity hacks; we are designing a life strategy. Key highlights include:
- The Kokorozashi Statement: You will craft your “will” or “personal mission”—a powerful statement of intent that ensures every project you take on aligns with the life you actually want to lead.
- Eliminating Life Waste: Using a Kaizen mindset, we will identify the incremental improvements and the “waste” in your current workflows that are draining your battery.
- Self-Discipline as Freedom: We will develop the discipline required to move toward your Kokorozashi every single day, turning “Operational Harmony” from a concept into a daily practice.
With your life strategy in place and a firm understanding of the life you want to lead, we transition into the final stage where you learn how to maintain this life you have designed for yourself. Let’s be honest, life happens, and when it does,, you will need to have some tools and skills in place to help you stay focused and on track.
Phase 3: The “Ri” of Self-Command
離 Ri (Separate/Transcend): Moving beyond the rules to create your own methodologies and unique interpretations.
The final stage of our journey together is Ri—transcendence. This is where you move beyond the rules and step into Decisive Self-Command. In Phase 3 of the Kenshin Compass, we focus on sustainability and legacy. We ensure that the harmony you’ve built isn’t just a “phase,” but a permanent state of being.
What we will cover in Phase 3:
- The SDCA Cycle: You’ve heard of PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act), but we focus on Standardize-Do-Check-Act. This is the stabilizer that maintains your gains and prevents you from ever sliding back into “firefighter” mode.
- 5S for Life Directionality: We take the 5S methodology out of the factory and apply it to your life direction. We standardize, sort, and create a cadence of self-discipline so your focus and your path remain clear.
- The Dokkōdō Principles: Inspired by Miyamoto Musashi’s “Path of Aloneness,” we explore what it means to lead yourself first. You cannot command a team, a project, or a portfolio until you have achieved total command over your own choices and reactions.
By the end of these three phases, you won’t just be a more efficient Project Manager. You will be an architect of your own future, ending every week energized and in harmony.
This is a long road. Real mastery—whether in project management or leadership—isn’t something you complete in a weekend workshop. It’s a commitment to your craft and to the people you lead.
This philosophy is exactly how I built the Kenshin Compass Coaching Program. I’m not looking to give you a few “hacks” to get through the week. I’m looking to help you navigate the stages of Shuhari so you can move from a “rule-follower” to an architect of operational harmony.
If you haven’t read Mentoring Mastery yet and want to dive deeper into this mindset before we start, you can find it on Amazon.
I’m curious—where do you feel you are in your current role: Shu, Ha, or Ri? Hit comment and let me know.
On February 3rd, we begin Phase 1 of the Kenshin Compass Coaching Program, you can learn more about the program here.
The Details:
First Call: Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026
Time: 4 PM – 6 PM Mountain Time (Every Tuesday)
Goal: Absolute clarity on your internal compass.
The clock is ticking toward February 3rd. Are you ready to move from Shu to Ri? The cart closes on February 1st at 11:59pm, don’t wait to secure your spot.
Steve Beauchamp 