Te Ao Māori
"The most-watched haka video ever stuns 225 million people in emotive protest" - so reported WalesOnline, as New Zealand hit the international headlines this week.
(Here's the video of the Parliament haka in case you've missed it...)
Many people in Aotearoa lauded the haka, while others felt it disrespected the sanctity of Parliament.
As leaders, I reckon we all can learn a lot from the traditions of te ao Māori.
In a training workshop last week with Hutt City Council, we explored what the pōwhiri can teach us about good facilitation.
The pōwhiri is a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony that connects, challenges and honours guests as they come onto a marae (greeting house).
It's been handed down through the generations. Every element serves an important purpose. (Which is more than can be said of many business meetings, right?)
If you're curious about the pōwhiri and how its principles might strengthen your work as a leader, you may wish to:
- Watch this short "Breakdown of the Pōwhiri" video
- Check out my "Facilitation Lessons from Pōwhiri" worksheet to consider how it might apply to your work.
In a time of polarisation, taking the time to understand other cultures is work that really matters.
Paul