I’ve been reflecting a lot on the classic 80s film, The Karate Kid, lately. I find such a compelling analogy to the “wax on, wax off” training style of Mr. Miyagi to our current AI landscape and how we at The Bradbury Group are approaching our current AI enablement landscape. Let me explain.
Teenager Daniel LaRusso is unwillingly plucked from his Newark, New Jersey neighborhood and lands in a completely new culture called Los Angeles, California. Unbeknownst to him, the rules of engagement here were much different than on the East Coast. Daniel finds himself quickly in hot water with an aggressive group of teenage boys associated with a dojo called Cobra Kai. They don’t like to play by the rules, and Daniel’s unfamiliarity in their world earns him a black eye, sore ribs, and the empathy of an unlikely advocate named Mr. Miyagi.
So where are the parallels with AI? Oh, there are many…
The Unfamiliar Dojo: Navigating the New AI Enablement Landscape
Many professionals are navigating an unfamiliar world dominated by AI—an environment they never asked to be part of. Accelerating seamless AI adoption is critical for overcoming this. Just like Daniel, many of us are grappling with AI’s rapid integration into our lives. The rules seem to be shifting constantly—parallels to the confusion and fear some experience when engaging with AI due to security issues, lack of permissions, or data leaks. The AI world can seem ruthless and intimidating, especially given the significant skill gaps that exist.
Enter Mr. Miyagi, a soft spoken maintenance manager who steps in to guide Daniel. Mr. Miyagi’s higher-level perspective and strategic interventions created a safe space for Daniel to learn and grow. This is so much like the role mentors and leaders should play today in guiding others through the complexities of AI learning. In one memorable scene, Mr. Miyagi’s serene garden amidst chaos symbolizes the need for calm learning environments in our fast-paced digital world.
Mr. Miyagi assigned Daniel seemingly mundane tasks—painting fences, waxing cars—but these tasks built essential skills through repetitive movements. Similarly, learning AI requires consistent practice and focus on fundamentals like prompting, reinforcement feedback, balancing data handling and ethical considerations. Mr. Miyagi emphasized the power of breathing, eye contact, focus, balance, and muscle memory—all principles that, believe it or not, are also crucial for mastering AI.
Daniel initially saw these tasks as mere chores, unaware they were teaching him key karate movements for self-defense. Likewise, many may not immediately grasp why certain foundational skills in AI are vital but will appreciate them over time as they build competence and confidence.
Those I have the privilege to train will often hear me say, “wax on, wax off.” And they get it – keep getting those reps in.
Having spent nearly two years at the intersection of training and development, AI, and evidence-based learning, I’ve observed a growing need for Miyagis in our field—mentors who can help others navigate this complex landscape safely and effectively. Just as Mr. Miyagi provided psychological safety for Daniel-san, we must create environments where people feel secure exploring AI without fear of making mistakes.
On the flip side, we have adversaries like Cobra Kai that represent unregulated use of AI—akin to deploying agents without oversight, prompt injection, and data leaks. This can lead to dangerous outcomes that heighten fear and uncertainty.
Ultimately, we can learn much from Mr. Miyagi’s teaching style: embracing foundational practices even when their purpose isn’t immediately clear. This will build the muscle memory necessary for proficient AI usage.
For those nostalgic about the 80s or looking for timeless lessons in today’s context, I encourage you to go watch the movie and come back and share what parallels you find. The Karate Kid offers valuable insights.
As I teach my cohorts and executives today, I sense that I am embodying the role of Mr. Miyagi—guiding them through challenging exercises to drive strategic AI adoption and enablement. These wax on, wax off moments may seem tedious now, but will enable them to thrive once they gain their footing.