As Waitangi Day was approaching, it was a timely moment earlier this week when I read through the seminar content on Māori cultural intelligence, prepared by Tai Ahu and David Jones, to renew my knowledge of the core tenets of Māori culture.
Once again, I find myself captivated by the striking parallels between Chinese and Māori cultures, particularly in their reverence for relationships and adherence to tikanga (customs) such as manaaki (hospitality), which embodies generosity and kindness towards others, reflecting a deep sense of collectivism.
As a person of Chinese descent, I resonate deeply with the significance placed on demonstrating respect to guests through acts of hospitality and generosity, as these values are fundamental to fostering enduring relationships.
These relationships are important as we all live under the same sky and will need to collaborate with one another on various matters.
To effectively collaborate across cultures, it is imperative to recognise and also empathise with the unique worldviews of others.
Mutual understanding forms the bedrock of successful cross-cultural collaboration. While it may be natural to gravitate towards familiarity, it is essential to create space for diverse cultures because each culture represents real people with whom we interact and engage in everyday life.
By doing so, we can mitigate tensions arising from misconceptions and assumptions, fostering an environment of harmony and mutual respect that enables connections and conversations.
#maori #culturaldiversity #culturalintelligence #culturalcompetency #culturalawareness #waitangi #diversityandinclusion
FFF & MACHINERIES DIGITAL CREATORS STORY TELLING ☀️
2mo👍👍👍 Hebat ni semua kat B' M. 🏆