I sat in on a Sandan (3rd dan) grading panel over the weekend. Two of our second dans had been tasked with researching how other Goju Ryu clubs train, particularly how they interpret their kata and bunkai, and present it along with their views and observations. Both came back and performed an excellent demonstration of Goju Ryu that was subtly different from our own. Both had gained new insights into karate and the many ways it can be taught. 

What i found most exciting about it was not just their own obvious progress. It was the fact that their Sensei had the confidence to push students outside his own dojo to learn from good instructors elsewhere. This is the only way to ensure the quality of an association improves over time instead of diminishing, because without outside influence a student will never reach or surpass his teacher - nevertheless it is rarely encouraged in most dojos. All too often an instructor clings to his or her students at all costs. There comes a time to let them go elsewhere - and that time is probably around 3rd dan.