Innovation and The Spirit of Aloha 🤙

Today, I’d like to give you a lesson on surfing the waves of innovation and creating sustainable growth, and it’s all about attitude. 🏄

The pace of change can feel a lot like the unending pounding of the waves: overwhelming, disorienting, exhausting, and lonely.

Have you ever been to the beach and watched surfers in the water? 

They never seem to be in a hurry.

Growing up in Southern California, I remember being fascinated by surfing. As I watched these (mostly) guys in the water, I couldn’t help but assume they were at least a little bit lazy. Wave after wave would pass them by, and they would just sit or lay on their boards and chill. 

When I think of surf culture, I picture the typical laid-back surfer – someone who does not care about the world, is not in a hurry, and is happy to go with the flow.

To a young boy, surfers didn’t seem to have a care in the world. They seemed so present to the moment. 

By contrast, I remember the first time I tried to surf. When I got in that water, fighting the waves and paddling hard, I was frantic, disoriented, overwhelmed, and lonely. It was not a “chill” experience by any stretch!

The universal sign of “surf and chill” was always this hand gesture… 🤙 Do you know it?

I grew up thinking this 🤙 was called “hang loose” because that’s what we called it in So Cal. 

It wasn’t until years later that I learned that this is called the “shaka” and originated on the island of Hawaii. As I learned the roots of the shaka and its deeper meaning, I’ve come to believe that it embodies an attitude that we can learn from.

The shaka represents a way of being that helps lead innovation and growth. 

The Roots of Shaka and Aloha Culture

The exact origins of the shaka are unclear, but its place in culture isn’t. The shaka is a symbol that conveys the Aloha Spirit, a “concept of friendship, understanding, compassion, and solidarity among the various ethnic cultures that reside in Hawaii” (Wikipedia).

It is so important to the people of Hawaii that this year, it has been proposed to be incorporated into state law:

Lawmakers look to make the 'shaka' Hawaii's official gesture 

“The shaka carries friendliness and warmth — aloha spirit. Some hold it low when greeting a child, and some like to flash double shakas. It can convey greetings, gratitude or assent, or it can defuse tension.” Source: Spectrum News Hawaii

So, how can the Spirit of Aloha help us lead innovation?

Innovation is hard, and it requires collaboration. We need each other. We don’t always agree—indeed, we shouldn’t. But to lead innovation, we must create a spirit of cooperation, camaraderie, and solidarity that is essential to each individual bringing their gifts to serve the whole. 

💡 Takeaway: Innovation requires collaboration, yet it often leads to conflict and tension. A spirit of cooperation and camaraderie is essential to overcoming tension among differing ideas and approaches to create breakthrough innovation. 

The shaka and the Spirit of Aloha attitude conveys connection, gratitude, and understanding and defuses tension. 

Innovation and the Spirit of Aloha

The shaka conveys the spirit of aloha. “Aloha” is derived from the Polynesian root words alo, meaning 'presence' and ha, meaning 'breath,' so translated means the presence of breath, or breath of life.

In the Spirit of Aloha, would you do something with me? 

Take a deep breath. 

No, really. I’m guessing you read that last line and just kept reading. But take eight seconds with me, and take two long. Deep. Breathes. 

Inhale. Count one, two, three, four. Exhale slowly. Inhale. One. Two. Three. Four. Breathe. Feel the presence of breath. Feel the Aloha.

Make the shaka, and say, “Aloha!” 🤙 (Don’t worry, I’m not looking!)

💡 Takeaway: Aloha translated means “presence of breath.” Aloha is rhythm, and there is a rhythm to breathing, just as there is a rhythm to the waves. As we become grounded in our natural rhythms and the rhythms of the waves around us, the better state of mind we are in to respond to waves of change.

Aloha and Connection – “I See You”

The shaka is also a symbol of connection. Greeting another with the spirit of aloha is a way of treating each other with deep care and respect. Of saying, “I see you. I respect you.”  🤙

A friend was just telling me about her son, who has been drawn to surfing and surf culture. Reflecting on his love of the water and the waves, she wondered at his deep connection to the rhythms of nature. 

While waves can be overwhelming, violent, and scary, the more time you spend in the water, the more you get comfortable with their rhythm. There is beauty and rhythm to the waves – a liturgy if you will. 

As you surf the waves of innovation this season, allow me to be the first to say to you… ALOHA! 🤙🌴

Until next week… Surfs Up! 🌊

  - Dave

About the Author | Dave Raley

Consultant, speaker, and writer Dave Raley is the founder of Imago Consulting, a firm that helps non-profits and businesses create profitable growth through sustainable innovation. He’s the author of a weekly trendspotting report called The Wave Report, and the co-founder of the Purpose & Profit Podcast — a show about the ideas at the intersection of nonprofit causes and for-profit brands.

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