At present I’m working in a business unit where most of my colleagues are Māori. This has been a fantastic learning experience; and as a Pākehā it’s reminded me of the rich culture we have here in Aotearoa, which we can all draw on regardless of our whakapapa.
So how does this all relate to appreciation? I believe, there are three concepts, which play a big part in Māori culture that encapsulate what it means to show appreciation at work. These concepts are:
- Manaakitangi which is the concept of extending loving kindness and compassion to others. In a work context this can be expressed by:
- Appreciating the work people in our team are doing (if you are a leader). Shout a high performer a coffee, give freely of your time and for those in the team that have done something special reward them with a Bonfire Card!
- Appreciating new people who have joined your team. Make them feel suitably welcomed and inducted into the business.
- Appreciating the work people from other teams do to support your team. Invite another team to share a joint morning tea to connect and say thanks.
- Appreciating others through random acts of kindness
- Kotahitanga which is the concept of togetherness and oneness. At the core of this is helping and supporting each other – or lifting each other up, which is what showing each other appreciation is all about. We can express Kotahitangi by:
- Appreciating our workmates that are under pressure by offering to help in some way.
- Appreciating our workmates by giving lots of positive encouragement every day. There’s a real energy created when we cheer each other on.
- Appreciating our work colleagues by sending them a personal message to thank them for all the little things they do each day that make a difference. Take a work colleague out for coffee to say thanks for having my back.
- Whanaungatanga, which is the concept of ‘relationship, kinship, sense of family connection – a relationship through shared experiences and working together which provides people with a sense of belonging. It develops as a result of kinship rights and obligations, which also serve to strengthen each member of the kin group. It also extends to others to whom one develops a close familial, friendship or reciprocal relationship’ (source: Māori dictionary online). We can express Whanaungatanga by:
- Appreciating our collective achievements as a team. We can do this by reflecting together on our success as a team. Use team meetings to do this.
- Appreciating our team by developing a rich narrative through story telling.
- Appreciating what it means to be part of a team that feels like whanau/family. We can foster this by socialising together and getting to know our workmates on a personal level.
When we adopt these principles at work it supports a more vibrant culture of appreciation in a uniquely Kiwi way, by reinforcing our sense of identity as Kiwis. It also allows us to appreciate the enduring partnership between Māori and Pākehā, which enhances and celebrates the beautiful diverseness of our country
He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai.
If kindness is sown, then kindness you shall receive.
