The word Alaka’i, is the Hawaiian value of Leadership. I first came across this value when I was introduced to lua, the Ancient Hawaiian martial arts, when I took a Ke Koa Alaka’i Workshop. Not only did this workshop peak my interest about lua but also leadership.
Our teachers told us that Leadership is simple, it means Influence.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.
-John Quincy Adams
Deciding to live a Ku life, you automatically become a leader. Some think that becoming a leader means you have to be at the front of the crowd. While some leaders are at the front crowds, there are leaders who inspire others by the way the conduct themselves and interact with others.
The Hawaiian value of Alaka’i, is about leading with Aloha and empowering others. Our actions have an influence on how others view us. Through leadership, we hold a high amount of Mana in the eyes of others which increases our ability to influence them.
While leaders can have the tendency to be praised for their success it’s important for them to keep Ha’aha’a.
Before you are leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.
-John Welch
By becoming a leader, we must admit when we are wrong, have more kuleana, take initiative when necessary, confident in their abilities, and are constantly curious about the possibilities and full of hope.
When you Build a Ku Body and live a Ku Lifestyle, you take on a lot responsibility because you understand as you continue to grow and learn more about yourself, someone may be watching and become inspired by what you are doing and how you are living your life.
You can influence them to live a Ku Life and Build a Ku Body.
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Go back to Day 17