Welcome to The Black Belt in Leadership

My name is Aslak de Silva. I’ve led companies across industries, spoken at over 100 events on three continents, and spent nearly two decades studying leadership. But long before boardrooms and keynote stages, I was in the dojo. Competing in nearly 100 full-contact fights taught me more about leadership than any management book ever could.

The Black Belt in Leadership is the result of that journey.

It’s a concept built on the principles I’ve lived: discipline, presence, resilience, adaptability, and continuous growth. The same principles that shape world-class martial artists can transform leaders too — not just in how they think, but in how they show up for others.

This platform is more than a podcast, keynote series, or book. It’s a path. One that starts with a white belt mindset – being open, willing to learn, and ready to do the work. From there, the progression is earned. Not by theory alone, but by action and application.

Whether you are a CEO, entrepreneur, team lead, or someone simply looking to lead yourself better, I invite you to explore what leadership could look like when trained like a black belt pursuit.

In this blog, I’ll be sharing personal stories, behind-the-scenes moments, leadership insights, and lessons from others walking the path. My goal is simple — to help you grow, challenge you to lead with intention, and support you as you build your own black belt in leadership.

Welcome to the dojo.