I just did a new post for the MWA Jumpstart Program, and in thinking about it a bit more, I would greatly appreciate some help from all of you in the Ho‘ohana Community when it comes to describing what you feel Aloha actually is.
I fully realize that it can be hard for new readers to get past the Hawaiian words I use: it’s my on-going challenge in writing online, especially for those who have not yet read Managing with Aloha. [Tip on that by the way, you can start with the manifesto first for a 28-page preview.]
However according to a mentor of mine, Peter Apo of NaHHA, the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, studies by linguists show that the two Hawaiian words most universally known, at least by the literate world, are Hawai‘i, the name of our state, and Aloha.
So would you share with me what Aloha means for you? Not to give me any props on what you may have learned here, but for the benefit of those in the MWAJ program. I really think it would help them if they heard aloha articulated by someone besides me.
If you had to describe aloha to someone else, what would you say about it?
If you’d like to read it first, here’s the beginning of the MWA Jumpstart post I was referring to. However if you click away, do come back for I would truly appreciate your comments on this: What does aloha mean to you? How would you describe it?
From MWA Jumpstart:
When I coach managers and leaders who have made the commitment to manage with aloha, one of the first things I do is ask them to describe aloha for me the way they interpret it. When they use the word with the people they manage, their intention must be understood so that their expectations of aloha-filled performance are clear, in other words, there must be clarity in the workplace about their Language of Intention.
How can anyone take your cue if they aren’t sure what you mean? Read more here.
And in case you’re interested: Do you know what Hawai‘i means?
technorati tag: Aloha. click on the talking story category links in this post’s footer.
It is a big relief to me that you do know how hard it is for me to understand you when you use Hawaiian terms. I thought it was just me. I would have given up long ago but I have read some of your writing where you didn’t use Hawaiian terms and it was awesome. I also stick with you because the other bloggers I like like you so much. And even though I often don’t understand you, I do understand that you are a serene and beautiful person and that your intentions toward me (one of the people in your audience) are very good ones, that you are on my side and trying to help me.
I forgot to answer your question! I was told a long time ago that aloha means both hello and goodbye.
Thank you for your honesty Marianne, I do appreciate it! I have always had the realization about the Hawaiian being difficult for people not in Hawaii, and I have to balance that with the Hawaiian audience I do have who often tell me they want more of it: There are very few Hawaiian speakers in our islands, and there is a renaissance of sorts where we are trying to bring our language back to life- even if one word at a time. My Hawaiian readers use Talking Story to learn to use our culture’s words more often, with the managerial/ leadership intention of the MWA work philosophy.
Thank you for sticking with me, and for being part of my Ho’ohana Community. I promise you I will continue to seek as much clarity as possible, for my goal is that you “occasionally-to-rarely” may not understand me, not often!
Rosa, aloha is universal love and the same in any language as I understand it. The feeling of caring for your fellow man/woman without looking for something in return. Of giving naturally. Of sharing. Of helping. Of being there, physically or in spirit. The bond that ties us all together.
Rosa – I liken aloha to be much like “servant leadership,” in that it’s tough to really tie down, but it’s a very good thing. Steve’s definition is pretty close to what I would say as well. To me, it’s the power of love, unconditional love. It’s living without expecting anything in return. It’s digging in and helping out without being asked, and not worry about anyone saying thanks.
And yes, I think aloha also means hello and goodbye, at least to many, though I don’t believe that’s how you intended your book to be understood (Managing with Hello/Goodbye).
Teaching – Essential Attitudes (Part 2)
Discusses Love as an essential attitude to Teaching. Teaching is the fourth aspect of self-development.
My definition today of Aloha, is much different than what it would have been eighteen months ago. The very first thought that comes to mind is unconditional love. This is what I have learned from you Rosa. Aloha begins your book and permeates every other value that follows.
While new to this community, I have reasoned in my mind that Aloha is a beautiful expression that can be defined as one person’s way of passing “all that is good” to another person. It is often used as a greeting or a salutation, but it seems to me that Aloha flows at all times through both words and actions. I interpret the “unconditional love” definition as another way to express “trusting sincerity” without prejudice or qualification. Aloha is a state of mind as much as anything else I can think of at this time.
Aloha Rosa:
This is the impression of Aloha from a prairie person over 1500 miles to any ocean.
To me it means: we meet, we greet, we enter each others lives even for a moment, we part, and we carry a part of that meeting with us the rest of our lives.
David
Thank you so much everyone, please keep your comments coming! This is a big help to me, and to the MWA Jumpstart participants who are charged with doing this as an exercise in their program.
As you can imagine, I do have some thoughts, however I’ll share them later in a new post: for now I do not want to steer this conversation — you all have great insights to share, and whatever your answer is, it is the right one for you: mahalo plenty for your willingness to share here.
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Rosa, to me Aloha is a complex concept that begins with “we share the breath of life”. Aloha is a spirit of unconditional acceptance that carries with it malama, caring for in a nurturing way. Love is not an adequate word for it in English. Aloha includes the fact that I recognize in you and in me the Spirit, the light that shines in each person. And, for me, it includes a passion for life in all its forms. Best, Anne