Start with two words: “with Aloha”

If you’re one of those “Let’s cut to the chase” kinds of people, the total philosophical view of Managing with Aloha can overwhelm you, I know. Whether as study guide for personal learning, or for workplace culture building, the basic construct we have of 19 values and 9 key concepts can give you at least 171 combinations in the simple value-mapping where you align one of each, and often, there’s nothing simple about the effort. Working on work takes work. As HO‘OHANA reminds us, it requires intention.

“Rosa, I feel ravished. In a good way, mostly, but yeah, ravished. Now what? Where do I begin?”
— email from a new reader who just finished my book

So where to start?

Start with those last two words of our philosophy’s name: “with Aloha.” When you do so, the philosophy becomes yours: By it’s very nature, ALOHA is all about you.

“with Aloha”

Decide what “with Aloha” means to you, and describe it in your own words: When you say (or write, or read) “with Aloha” what is it you bring with you, to whatever you might be doing?

Turn “with Aloha” into your kaona of choice, and your mana‘o of conviction. Once you do, you can apply your personal story of ALOHA (your kaona) to everything as your evolutionary guide. It becomes your stake in the sand (your mana‘o). You will grow from there, because you’ll be radiating from within: What is the Aloha Spirit? It’s you!

In my own story, the concept of “managing with Aloha” came together for me as a more accurate description of what I used to call my “sense of place management style.” “Managing with Aloha” was more accurate because I needed to weave in my calling as a manager, and not shy away from it, or dress it up by calling it anything else. Management had to become more noble in my own views about it, so I could hold my head up high as I did it, for there was no question for me that I’d be a manager in some shape or form for a very long time, perhaps my whole life through.

In Hawai‘i, ALOHA is a kind of twofer: If you grow up here, Sense of Place and ALOHA exist in a melting pot. So for me, the “with Aloha” part became about in the search for PONO I describe in my book: In my industry at the time, Hawai‘i’s hospitality industry, I was expected to own the “Aloha Spirit” and demonstrate it. So I had to feel I was achieving ALOHA on my own terms if PONO was ever to be in my reach. Once I began to study values-based management with Dr. George Kanahele and other kūpuna (elders and teachers), I realized that ALOHA wasn’t something I achieved, as much as it was something I came to be — myself.

“with Aloha”

Some people have told me that for them, managing with Aloha is about relationship building.
They’re right, it is.

Other people have told me that for them, managing with Aloha is about owning up to their personal responsibilities in the way they must define them.
They’re right, it is.

Some people have told me that for them, managing with Aloha is about positioning themselves within the values behavior that gives them the most confidence and self assurance.
They’re right, it is.

Other people have told me that for them, managing with Aloha is about understanding their own culture and heritage in a way the elders of their families didn’t really talk about.
They’re right, it is.

Some people have told me that for them, managing with Aloha is less about work, and more about life, and creating your own destiny instead of letting stuff “just happen” to you.
They’re right, it is.

It may be different for you. If you feel a certainty about your ALOHA, it’s right, because it’s right for you.

Accept whatever it is, and you’ll have started your managing with ALOHA journey in the best possible way.

I’m not saying that Managing with Aloha the Rosa Say way is right for everyone.
I am saying that Managing with Aloha your way will be right for you.

From Managing with Aloha (Chapter 1 preamble):

The arms of Aloha are inclusive, and they seek to serve.
Aloha is an attitude, one that is positive and healthy, for Aloha is the value of unconditional love and acceptance.
To be a great manager is to share the intent of Aloha.
You must give your employees an outpouring of your spirit, and you must receive theirs.
This is Aloha. This is the calling of great managers.

New here?