Have you ever felt like a beginner again, even in a familiar field? Perhaps you’ve mastered the basics of a new software program but struggle to navigate its advanced features. This experience highlights the ongoing process of skill development, a concept beautifully captured by the Shu Ha Ri model.
Originating from Japanese martial arts, Shu Ha Ri translates to “first learn, then detach, and finally transcend.” It describes the progressive stages of learning any complex skill.
Shu (Learn): Imagine yourself as a student meticulously following your instructor’s every move. In the Shu stage, you’re diligently acquiring the fundamentals. Think of a new programmer learning the correct syntax for writing code. Repetition and strict adherence to established techniques are key.
Ha (Break Free): As your foundation solidifies, you enter the Ha stage. You begin to experiment, deviate from the script, and develop your own style. The programmer might now try different coding approaches to solve problems, exploring alternative solutions. Creativity and critical thinking flourish in this phase.
Ri (Transcend): In the final stage, Ri, mastery transcends mere technique. You become one with the skill, acting intuitively and effortlessly. The programmer doesn’t just write code; they craft elegant solutions with an almost unconscious understanding of the underlying principles.
The Shu Ha Ri model isn’t linear. We might revisit earlier stages as we encounter new challenges or refine our existing skills. The key takeaway is that mastery is a continuous journey, not a fixed destination.
I often use this model to reflect in which stage I’m while learning a new skill. And sometimes I am reluctant to switch from one level to the next one, e.g. in cooking 🙂
On the other side sometimes I experience friends whoe are bored of going through the Shu level and immediately jump to the Ri stage. But sooner or later their audience will give feedback about missing basic levels.
Sometimes I enjoy returning to the Shu level with a beginners mind .
Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuhari
https://martinfowler.com/bliki/ShuHaRi.html
https://resources.scrumalliance.org/Article/art-shu-ha-ri-scrum
Albrecht Günther 