A Journey on a Waka

Jump on my Waka - Championing Ambitions and Aspirations for Indigenous World Views in Sustainability Development

Embracing Leadership for Sustainable Development through Indigenous Worldviews is at an Intersection of Consistency, Discipline and Cultural Wisdom, which can only be explored by at least talking about it.

Here is my first attempt at it, with my personal insights into my research so far.

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The West Rules with an Iron fist when it comes to Modern Commercial Business Concepts

It is widely understood that the primary struggle for sustainability is within the struggle of formulating strategies that have blended economic trade with sustainability, and for a long time, differences in context and content itself have polarised these.

To explore more fully the growing connection being made between economic trade, sustainability, and business strategies, I want to return briefly to the early work that formed the ideas and models of sustained competitive strategies in business today. This is exemplified by one of the most significant works to come out of the 1990s in the field of strategy.

Professor Jay Barney's 1991 paper developed a framework for distinguishing among several different types of firm performance—i.e., competitive disadvantage, competitive parity, temporary competitive advantage, and sustained?competitive advantage—and identified the attributes of resources and capabilities that would make them costly to imitate.?

The work Barney carried out in a resource-based view of the firm and how firms might be able to build sustained competitive advantage has stood the test of time itself, crisis after crisis.

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A Bright Star Shines as a calling

There is an underlying request for modern commercial business practices to intersect with Indigenous Values, particularly within the scope of sustainability development.

Drawing together mainstream strategy frameworks that are Euro-centric or American–centric has had its fair share of critics. Some argue that the capability of strategically delivering on sustainability might constitute a?unique bundling of traditional firm resources based on indigenous values that are more aligned with the sustainability agenda due to a connection with the land and collective cultural values.

Indigenous value systems will allow firms to have a truly sustainable competitive advantage.

However, what is not understood well is how to understand indigenous worldviews and their contribution to sustainability in terms of strategy and sustainable competitive advantage.

Therefore, my research question for this series is:

How can indigenous worldviews be incorporated into a strategy for sustainability outcomes?

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In my research attempt to connect some basic Indigenous Views to that of our current modern commercial business world, I came across some very interesting frameworks that can be adopted and used.

I must stress and remind readers that these are purely the personal insights I have gathered and how I think we can begin to make some bridging connections with context. There are gaps and improvements which I welcome. Hence, this series of articles is a working, ever-evolving thesis.

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Voyage with me on my waka (boat) as I explore a few concepts from in and around the Pacific Rim that can be adopted and used to inspire and promote the convergence of Indigenous World Views (IWV) and Modern Commercial Business models.

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We first launch our waka from – Aotearoa. The melting pot of diversity when it comes to Oceania

Here, I explored some of the commonly used Te Aro Māori and Pasifika phrases that have been used and adopted by intuitions, thought leaders, speakers, scholars and Subject Matter Experts in Aotearoa.

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1. Defining a Vision for Sustainable Development

Leadership in sustainable development begins with a clear vision. This parallels indigenous perspectives like Te Ao Māori, where the concept of 'whakapapa' emphasises the interconnectedness of everything and the importance of seeing the broader picture. Leaders must define their vision for sustainable development in a holistic manner, taking into account the economic, social, and environmental dimensions and how they interconnect.

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2. Crafting a Strategic Plan

Strategic planning is crucial in leading sustainable initiatives, akin to the 'Va' in Pasifika culture, which refers to the space that relates, the context that gives meaning. A clear plan that outlines the steps needed to achieve sustainability goals, much like the navigational prowess of Pacific Islanders, can guide a community towards the desired outcome.

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3. Cultivating Confidence

Confidence is key to leadership, and this is mirrored in the Māori concept of 'mana', which refers to authority, influence, and spiritual power. Leaders must have faith in their abilities to steer their communities towards sustainable development, inspiring others to contribute positively to these efforts.

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4. Building Sustainable Habits

Leaders must foster sustainable habits within their communities. This resonates with the Māori concept of 'kaitiakitanga' or guardianship, which underscores the importance of protecting and preserving resources for future generations. By promoting the adoption of sustainable practices, leaders can help establish a culture of conservation and responsibility.

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5. Resource Management

Effective leadership involves judicious use of time and resources. This aligns with the Māori principle of 'rangatiratanga', which embodies the attributes of good governance and resource management. Within a business setting, Rangatiratanga speaks to the qualities and attributes of leadership forged through relationships, knowledge, and practice. This, in turn, empowers individuals and communities to ensure collective benefit from learned and shared knowledge. Rangatiratanga may be demonstrated by the quality of decision-making that is reflective of the social, environmental, spiritual, and material needs of communities. Rangatiratanga recognises and is inclusive of many forms of leadership that will enhance old and develop new practices to serve current and future generations.

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6. Starting with Small Initiatives

Leaders should encourage the community to start with small, manageable initiatives in the journey towards sustainable development. This reflects the Pasifika concept of 'tā-vā', the weaving of time and space in small steps, eventually leading to the creation of something larger and more significant. Adopted from the working of Tēvita O. Ka'ili, ōkusitino Māhina, and Ping-Ann Addo

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7. Prioritising Health and Well-being

Leaders must prioritise the health and well-being of their communities. This is in line with the Māori health philosophy 'hauora', which emphasises the importance of maintaining physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. Leaders can promote sustainable development by ensuring that these aspects of well-being are considered and addressed.

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8. Cultivating Self-Accountability

Finally, leaders must cultivate a sense of self-accountability, closely mirroring the Māori concept of 'utu', a complex principle encompassing balance and reciprocal actions. Leaders should foster a culture where each member feels accountable for their actions and their impact on the community's sustainability.

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Leadership for sustainable development can greatly benefit from indigenous wisdom, such as the Māori and Pasifika worldviews that are fast becoming commonly used frameworks here in Aotearoa amongst the few that are making that effort to connect two worlds. By intertwining consistency and discipline with these rich cultural insights, leaders can drive their communities towards a more sustainable, harmonious future.

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My next stop is a closer look at my homeland – Fiji

The Fijian concepts of 'Vanua' and 'Talanoa' are intertwined with the indigenous worldview and provide a unique perspective that can enrich sustainable development efforts. These concepts can be woven into the eight points discussed above to foster a more inclusive, holistic approach to leadership and sustainability.

?1. Vanua

The term 'Vanua' in Fijian culture refers to the interconnectedness of people, place, and environment. It resonates deeply with the principles of sustainable development, emphasising the need for harmony between human activities and nature. This concept parallels the holistic vision formation in leadership for sustainable development. It also mirrors the idea of building sustainable habits and prioritising health and well-being, as 'Vanua' recognises that the health of the land is intrinsically tied to the health of people. The interpretation of the context of this has been adopted by the work of by Dr Unaisi Nabobo-Baba

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In the context of time and resource management, 'Vanua' underscores the importance of respecting and preserving natural resources for future generations. The concept encourages starting with small initiatives that respect the delicate balance of the 'Vanua'. It also echoes the need for self-accountability in the stewardship of the environment.

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2. Talanoa

'Talanoa' is a Fijian term for open, empathetic, and respectful dialogue. It serves as a traditional method of collective decision-making and problem-solving. 'Talanoa' can be seen as a framework for crafting strategic plans for sustainable development. Through 'Talanoa', community members can collaborate, share knowledge, and develop strategies that respect the 'Vanua'. Many Pasifika researchers have done countless hours of research into how we can use ‘Talanoa’ to facilitate Collaborative Engagement and Understanding between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Communities.

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When developing self-confidence, the inclusive dialogue of 'Talanoa' can help leaders and community members validate their abilities and contributions. 'Talanoa' also encourages accountability by providing a platform for transparent discussion about community actions and their impacts on sustainability.

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The Fijian framework of 'Vanua' and 'Talanoa' offers valuable insights that align well with the principles of leadership in sustainable development. Incorporating these indigenous perspectives can foster a sense of unity and shared responsibility for sustainability, ensuring that development efforts are rooted in respect for the environment and the well-being of all community members.

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We take the long voyage North – to our First Nations people of Canada

Connecting this principle to the previously discussed points can help deepen our understanding of sustainable leadership. We now look at our cousins to the far north, the First Nations of the Americas, particularly Canada.

The Seventh Generation Principle

The First Nations people of Canada have a profound philosophy known as the "Seventh Generation Principle" that can provide invaluable insights into sustainable development and leadership. This principle teaches that decisions made today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future. It embodies the concept of long-term responsibility, emphasising the need for present actions to consider the well-being of descendants far into the future.

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1.?????? Vision and Planning

The Seventh Generation Principle aligns with defining a clear vision and establishing a strategic plan. It extends these concepts by urging leaders to look forward, beyond immediate needs, to consider the impacts of their decisions on future generations.

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2.?????? Confidence and Habits

This principle encourages leaders to have confidence in their ability to make sustainable decisions and to instil habits that will support the well-being of future generations. It emphasizes the importance of developing sustainable habits that align with the long-term vision of seven generations.

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3.?????? Time Management and Starting Small

The Seventh Generation Principle resonates with the idea of starting small and managing time effectively. It encourages us to make consistent, incremental changes that, over time, will result in a sustainable future for many generations to come.

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4.?????? Health and Well-being:

The principle also underscores the importance of ensuring the health and well-being of not just the current generation but of future generations as well. It reinforces the idea that decisions should not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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5.?????? Self-Accountability:

The Seventh Generation Principle fosters a strong sense of self-accountability. It instils the understanding that our actions today have far-reaching impacts. This perspective can encourage leaders to hold themselves accountable for the long-term consequences of their decisions.

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Incorporating the Seventh Generation Principle into leadership for sustainable development can help ensure that our actions today contribute to a prosperous, equitable, and sustainable world for generations to come. It demonstrates a profound respect for the future, an understanding of our role as stewards, and a commitment to making decisions that benefit the seventh generation and beyond.

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Our last stop is the land down under.

Our Aboriginal Cousins in Australia offer value far beyond the richness of its land and the raw materials it mines for the global economy.

The Aboriginal peoples of Australia have a rich cultural heritage that spans thousands of years, offering profound insights and philosophies that can be applied to sustainable development and leadership. Two significant concepts from Aboriginal culture are 'Dreaming' and 'Caring for Country'.

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1. Dreaming:

The concept of 'Dreaming' or 'Tjukurpa' is fundamental to Aboriginal spirituality and serves as a guide for living. It refers to the ancestral period when the world was being formed, and it establishes the rules governing behaviors, the structure of society, and the relationship between people and the land. Dreaming can be related to the process of defining a vision and establishing a strategic plan in leadership. It encourages leaders to draw on ancestral wisdom and tradition when forming their visions and strategies for sustainable development.

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2. Caring for Country:

Caring for Country' is an Aboriginal approach to environmental management that highlights the interconnectedness of people and nature. It involves maintaining and protecting the land, sea, and culture, ensuring the survival of future generations. This concept aligns with the principles of building sustainable habits, managing time and resources effectively, starting small, and prioritising health and well-being. By adopting the 'Caring for Country' approach, leaders can foster sustainable practices within their communities, ensuring the well-being of both the environment and people.

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Furthermore, the Aboriginal concept of 'Community Lore' can be associated with the idea of self-accountability. This refers to the rules and norms established by the community, which every member is expected to follow. In this context, leaders can promote self-accountability by encouraging each individual to take responsibility for their actions and their impact on the community's sustainability.

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Let's wrap up this journey - Dry up from this deep dive and reflect

In many highly polysemic languages spoken and referenced in this article, such as Te Reo Māori, Fijian, Tongan, Samoan or Aboriginal First Nations, undoubtedly each has its origins and own technical meaning that could be identified in connection with its people. ?

Each indigenous term used in this article was overwhelmingly difficult to navigate customary boundaries and link to the intention of this series of writings.?

This leads us to the holy grail of rules; users of each term shared here must first invoke and respect the customary usage of its meaning before applying it in different settings and prominence or perhaps even relevance in commercial discourse.

In short, the process of identifying technical business glosses with that of Indigenous World View is a start to navigate the journey of bringing context to content, in a way that is desirable for a common bilingual dictionary in sustainability within business.

In conclusion, the journey I have taken you on is only the start, the tip of the untapped potential that is as vast as the Pacific Ocean itself. It offers insights into sustainable leadership that can be crafted and moulded to benefit not only a few but everyone. ?By incorporating some of these indigenous perspectives, leaders can foster a deep sense of respect for the environment, a commitment to community well-being, and an understanding of our role as custodians of the earth for future generations.