How to Make Aloha Leadership Work for You

The Hawaiian word "ohana" means "family", and if there's one thing that Hawaiians do best, it's treating everyone like family. At a recent hula gathering where we knew no-one before we walked in the door, my two sons were quickly surrounded by "aunties" and "uncles" who embraced them as though they were their own. Years ago, this familiar tendency put me off, but when I realized the depth of sincerity that accompanies these family ties I came to recognize that "ohana" is as strong as any blood-line.

Treating your employees like family doesn't mean that you're weak or that performance expectations are any lower. If anything, treating someone like family means you break down communication barriers quickly and get things done more efficiently because a high level of trust exists. Here's how to make "ohana" a part of your business model.

1. Establish communication guidelines within your working group. Respect and reason are non-negotiable, and so is listening!

2. Cultural differences don't mean division. Cultural differences do need to be recognized and honored for their unique contributions. Treating everyone the same lessens each individual's connection to the greater mission, so don't do it!

3. As Kevin Roberts F.A.C.H.E. and President/CEO of Castle Medical Center in Kailua says, "you don't have to conquer others to be successful." Look to build trust within your organization and outside it. The community can be your best sales-force if "aloha" is part of your guiding principles.

See a preview of the Aloha Leadership keynote at http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=105851563&TemplateId=156&lnkkey=Link2&utm_source=ORM&utm_medium=notification&utm_term=viewvideo&utm_campaign=Group41EmailVideo

Contact Mike to arrange for an Aloha Leadership presentation for your group at (720) 851.5208 or info@mikefaber.com

"We Are Family"

Cindy Kamikawa is the Chief Nursing Officer at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu. When I spoke with Cindy recently about Aloha Leadership, she made several remarks that are worth passing along.

Cindy's perspective on Aloha Spirit includes a strong emphasis on family. Not just family that you're blood-related to, but everyone you come in contact with. Here in Denver my family and I see this when we visit with our Hawaiian friends. No one is "Mr. Tanaka" or "Mrs. Kimata". Instead, kids call the adults "Uncle" or "Auntie". My family's experience on the Big Island when both our children were ill was more like what I'd expect from our blood relatives than from strangers.

Queens' has a corporate-wide devotion to the patient, and that devotion begins with attention to detail and to employees. Cindy's personal commitment to integrity, honesty and compassion is evident to everyone she comes in contact with. "No matter how difficult a situation is, we will treat a person with integrity and respect, with the goal of that person succeeding!"

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