Managing with Aloha: Bringing Hawaii's Universal Values to the Art of Business

by Rosa Say

"Values" may be the most frequently spoken word in business today. Yet Rosa Say, founder of Say Leadership Coaching and former Vice President of Hualalai at historic Kaûpûlehu, boldly proposes that Hawaii is optimally suited to lead the world in the pursuit of values-centered business, because we all live with something good and right by its very nature: Aloha and all it embraces.

Managing with Aloha explores nineteen different Hawaiian values, and in the tradition of Dr. George Kanahele this book demonstrates how managers can bring these universal values into every kind of business practice today. Say draws on many examples of how she put these values into profitable practice in her own successful career as a manager, and she eloquently shares her common-sense approaches to blending the social and economic goals of business enterprise in ways that define a Hawaiian sensibility for the way we work and live.

Genres: Leadership, Business

266 pages, Hardcover

First published November 9, 2004

About the author

Author of Managing with Aloha, Bringing Hawai‘i’s Universal Values to the Art of Business

Reviews

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for anyone in a leadership position. This book doesn't try to tell you how to be a leader. It helps guide you to capturing the essence of what a leader is. I take slight issue with the use of the terms "manager" and "managing" because I think there is a clear distinction between a "manager" and a "leader," but this book applies to both. Semantics aside, Rosa encourages you to look within and pause to reflect on your actions and values and how you exhibit the values described int he book.

I have only read it once, but I plan to go through it again and spend more time on the reflections encouraged by the author. I recommended it to a friend who is originally from Hawaii but now living in the mainland and she thought it was terrific. This book is really for anyone who plays any role in leading, directing, supervising, or managing people.

[Linda Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since 2004, Managing with Aloha has significantly impacted both my professional and personal life. Next to Steven R. Covey’s monumental work, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Rosa’s book remains the second most influential piece of leadership literature that I consistently consult with for my own decision making processes, professional development and quest to assist other leaders on their management journey. Like Covey’s work, Rosa’s teachings have a place of honor in my office to remind me daily to be an alakai leader who strives to utilize the values of aloha, hoohana, imiola, ohana, lokahi, kakou, Hoohanoohano., and pono into my daily management practices. I am grateful to Rosa for introducing me to these, and other Hawaiian universal values, that easily transcend to every work environment, and has been shared by me at several academic librarianship workshops. Rosa’s book is a true management masterpiece filled with carefully written antidotal stories and real life examples that serve as an inspiration for all leaders who strive to master the art of value based leadership and management. Her expanded recommended reading list is a great premise for leadership students. Her addition of A Manager’s Calling, the 10 Beliefs of Great Managers, and Chapter 19: Ka lahikiola (Optimism, Hope and Promise) as Chapter 19 are informational jewels to this new edition.

[Kathleen Steward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosa say is the manager I wish I could have! I'm not a people manager myself, but I aspire to be one eventually. She writes with empathy and inspiration. Everyone comes with their own lives outside of work, their own dreams and motivations, and their own special gifts. She encourages the reader to know oneself and live intentionally, "Once you make those key choices in values, relationships, and intentional work...they bring extraordinary meaning and satisfaction to your life."
The book is a very structured read, with each chapter focused on one of 19 Hawaiian values. I spent several weeks reading through it, focusing on one or two chapters a week. It's not a book you can or should breeze through, but I can see myself picking it up again and revisiting several of the values. Ha'aha'a (humility), Mahalo (thankfulness), and of course Aloha (unconditional love) are some of my favorite values from how the author shares them. Because of this book I've discovered a bit more about myself and what that means in relating to others.

[Pete Aldin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single business I have worked for and every single business I have ever set foot in need to read this book. Simply the best tome on management and culture I've ever read.

Would be particularly useful as part of a mentoring program for new managers or for newly promoted staff struggling to craft a new (leadership) role without becoming authoritarian.

Will make you believe that the world of work can be fun, forgiving, innovative and life-giving.

[Bonnie Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better books on managing people I have read. It reminds me of the work of Stephen Covey and Parker Palmer, inviting the reader to bring her authentic self to the workplace and to management. For people working in Hawai'i, it will . be especially useful, but, as Say herself points out, the basic ideas are quite universal. Readable, practical, down-to-earth.

[Rosa]

The book that I wrote and am known best for :)

More about it is at www.ManagingWithAloha.com. Please do visit!