I don’t wear rank stripes on my black belt.
Not because they’re wrong—some systems use them effectively—but because I’ve never believed rank should need advertising.
I hold the rank of Rokudan (6th Dan). I’ve earned titles. I own the belts that go with them.
I just don’t wear them.
Because in my experience, symbols can mislead.
In today’s martial arts culture—and frankly, in business as well—people often assume:
Authority based on appearance
Competence based on titles
Expertise based on optics
And too often, they’re wrong.
I’ve seen high-ranking practitioners who couldn’t perform at a basic level.
So I don’t focus on rank.
I watch:
How someone carries themselves
How they treat others
How they train and improve
How they perform when it matters
That tells me everything.
There was a time when rank carried weight because it was rare and earned.
Today, titles are too easy to find—but true capability is not.
So what does a belt—or a title—really represent?
Position. Not proficiency.
In martial arts and in leadership, what actually matters is much simpler:
Effort
Consistency
Respect for others
Willingness to lead by example
Demonstrated skill
Everything else is just window dressing.
DCG