It started with reading sports team Coach biographies. John Wooden, Phil Jackson, Mike Krzyzewski (Basketball), Sir Alex Ferguson, Johan Cruyff, Anson Dorrance (Football), Sir Clive Woodward and James Kerr’s Legacy (Rugby) and Dave Brailsford (Cycling) and there were plenty others. It turns out, many of these Coaches sought out alternative views and perspectives on leadership and life, in an effort to encourage a deeper engagement with the values of the team, to foster growth and a sense of belonging. Which led to a more broad interest in culture:
- Atarimae – 当たり前 – leaving things cleaner than the way you found it
- Kintsukuroi – 金繕い the impermanence of things
- Ikebana – 生け花, 活け花, “making flowers alive,” and Ma (the space you can not see)
- Maori references in James Kerr’s excellent book – Legacy.
I found that exploring alternative and more diverse perspectives of leadership and culture, encouraged me to fosters greater inclusivity and responsiveness in my own leadership and in my efforts to lead a ‘healthy,’ inclusive and responsive organisation. Add to this, a corporate commitment to wellbeing, both as an education and organisational aim, I set aside some time to research Yuimaru – “a circle of people,” or “the spirit of cooperation,” or “mutual aid.”
Yuimaru ゆいまる is the concept that describes how Okinawan’s (a group of more than 150 islands located in the southern most part of Japan) take care of one another. Okinawan’s is famous for its residents longevity and healthy lifestyles, often attributed to their diet, physical activity, strong social connections (yuimaru) and low stress levels – it is one of five Blue Zones.
Lifestyle and cultural practices are deeply intertwined with the key ingredients of Yuimaru which include:
- community – strong social networks and a sense of belonging within the community
- intergenerational relationships – respect and care for elders, and the integration of multiple generations in daily activities
- mutual support – sharing of resources, skills, and assistance among community members
- collective responsibility – a shared commitment to the well-being of the community
- Moai – Okinawan’s have a system for keeping their neighbours financially secure, an entirely voluntary and non-regulated system
- cultural traditions – celebrating traditions that reinforce community ties and cooperation
- reciprocity – giving and receiving help, ensuring a balance of support within the community.
As an Okinawan you are never acting alone, you are inextricably tied everyone that came before you, and everyone that will follow after.
https://www.yuimaru-okinawa.net/themes
Add to this Okinawan’s also practice of a lifelong craft. While the list ranges from martial arts, pottery, teaching and farming – the later is overwhelmingly common practice and links to diet. The majority of vegetables consumed by Okinawans are locally grown. If not farming, light, frequent exercise is common practice. Conversely, complete retirement is rare, Okinawan elders simply farm or garden for longer.
I’ve been growing vegetables since I was a child. I work every morning, afternoon and evening: digging, cutting, watering at any moment.
https://www.yuimaru-okinawa.net/themes
It strikes me – these ingredients would nourish any community or organisation.